LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD

Recognizing Excellence in Lean and Digitalization

The Lean philosophy is centered on process improvement by eliminating unnecessary waste (known as “muda”), increasing value for the customer, and fostering continuous improvement. Its goal is to optimize workflows, reduce time and resource consumption, and achieve higher efficiency and quality. Lean is built on core principles such as customer focus, employee involvement, process standardization, and the use of proven tools like 5S, Kaizen, TPM, GEMBA, Six Sigma, and more.

Lean 4.0 represents the evolution of traditional Lean, combining its principles with digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies. Advanced technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and automation enable even greater process optimization. Lean 4.0 provides organizations with precise control, in-depth analysis, and real-time adaptability, helping them achieve new levels of efficiency and competitiveness in the digital age.

DEMETRA LEAN WAY, a family-owned business and a pioneer in developing digital tools for Lean and related fields, is transforming modern Lean practices worldwide with its innovative tools under the PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD brand. These tools enhance transparency, improve analytics, and support decision-making, helping organizations successfully implement and advance Lean 4.0 solutions.

To recognize exceptional achievements by companies successfully implementing Lean 4.0 with our tools, we established the EXCELLENCE SYSTEM 4.0 AWARD in 2024, presenting the inaugural award to POLYCOM d.o.o. from Škofja Loka.

In 2025, the award was renamed to the Lean 4.0 Excellence Award to better reflect its purpose and the extraordinary accomplishments of its recipients. This global award honors companies that operate according to Lean principles, recognize the potential of PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD tools, and demonstrate through their results that it is possible to work better, more efficiently, and in alignment with Lean 4.0 principles.

We will reveal this year’s award winner at the event hosted by DEMETRA LEAN WAY. This special announcement will celebrate outstanding achievements while inspiring attendees to explore how PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD tools can help them reach new levels of excellence.

Join us at the event to be part of this celebration of innovation, efficiency, and a sustainable future!

4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD 2024: Polycom d.o.o. receives prestigious recognition for excellence

Ljubljana, 2024 – At this year’s LEAN AKADEMIJA 2024, organized by our company DEMETRA Lean Way, we proudly presented the very first LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD to Polycom d.o.o., based in Škofja Loka. This award acknowledges their deep commitment to Lean philosophy and the successful implementation of digital tools to achieve organizational excellence.

About the LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD

Originally established in 2024 under the name EXCELLENCE SYSTEM 4.0 AWARD, the award was created in response to the needs of modern organizations seeking to combine Lean principles with cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies. In 2025, it was renamed LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD to better emphasize its purpose – recognizing companies that achieve outstanding results with the support of PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD tools.

The award’s mission is to:

Why was Polycom selected for the award?

Polycom d.o.o. has proven to be a prime example of a successful Lean 4.0 transformation. With nearly 300 employees and a broad industrial portfolio – ranging from the automotive sector to IIoT components – the company stands out due to its structured approach to process improvement and organizational culture development.

Key reasons for receiving the award include:

The development and digitalization of core Lean processes such as daily meetings, audits, and problem-solving.
A strong focus on employee competence development and the establishment of a sustainable improvement culture.
A genuine mindset of innovation and excellence, embedded in their everyday operations.
Polycom’s commitment to Lean principles and effective use of digital tools demonstrates that it is possible to achieve more – better, faster, and more efficiently.

An inspiring event

At LEAN AKADEMIJA 2024, professionals, entrepreneurs, and Lean enthusiasts from across Slovenia and abroad gathered to celebrate innovation and excellence. The highlight of the event was the award ceremony and the inspiring presentation of Polycom d.o.o. as a role model in digital Lean practice.

As the organizer and initiator of this award, DEMETRA LEAN WAY invites all companies seeking to elevate their Lean journey to explore the transformative power of PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD digital solutions.