CASE STUDY - VISUAL MANAGEMENT ROLL OUT
STAGECOACH
About Stagecoach
Stagecoach operates one of the largest networks of local bus services in the UK, providing urban and rural routes across numerous cities and towns. With a total of around 120 bus depots operating over 8,000 vehicles, they are one of the top 5 Bus Transport groups in the UK.
The Opportunity
This project began with Stagecoach Stockport’s engineering team, were looking to partner with a reputable supplier of Visual Management Solutions, that would assist in enhancing their operational efficiency, safety and performance monitoring. It was important for Stagecoach to establish an ongoing and developmental approach when collaborating with a supplier as the initiative was new to them and there was a chance of it being adopted across many depots.
◦ Build a standard solution portfolio for Engineering Managers that can implemented across all sites.
◦ Develop 5S projects from rudimentary Visual Management boards to more professional and standard.
◦ Ensure the solutions are durable and fit for purpose in a demanding engineering depot environment.
◦ All Visual Management to align with company branding and values.
◦ Standard ordering process that all depots are able to use.
The Solutions
Health, Safety & Environment – Visual Board
The initial part of the project was to design a Visual Management Board to communicate all HSE information and policies across both the Engineering and Operations departments, in each depot. At the time, Stagecoach Stockport were using an old felt board that displayed some information, but didn’t visualise in a standard and structured layout. By creating a new board with a standard layout, it provided a more organised and efficient way of displaying the information, whilst aligning to the companies branding and visual identity.
Electric Vehicle Shadow Board – Environmental Initiatives
Stagecoach has been actively working towards reducing the environmental impact of its operations. The company has invested in electric buses and has committed to reducing its carbon emissions. It also has a goal to transition to a zero-emission fleet in the coming years.
To assist them with their transitions to becoming fully electric, Peak VM have developed and supplied a standard Electric Vehicle Shadow Board to house all equipment required when carrying out maintenance procedures.
Each station includes a wheeled freestanding frame to ensure easy accessibility and movement of all equipment. This also ensures all tools and equipment are always in one place when not in use and allows the team visually see equipment in use.
Wheel Re-Torque Shadow Board
Developing and improving on what the client already had in place, a standard layout was created to include all tooling required for Wheel Re-Torque Procedures, with added colour coding for power tools that had a usage limitation, Red, Orange, Green. The documentation and paperwork were designed to have a set location, so there were no loose papers and documentation that wasn’t required on the board. The lectern area allowed for additional storage underneath where the team members were able to complete paperwork, helping keep all items required for the procedure in one contained area.
Proactive Maintenance Shadow Board
This Shadow Board includes all tooling required for Proactive Maintenance. For the tooling that needed to remain in a carry case, we designed the case to be housed on the board, and for other tooling sets, we removed them from the cases and displayed as individual items on the board, allowing a clearer visual display of any tools that were missing.
Safety & PPE Station
This PPE/Safety Sign was designed to include both Emergency First Aid Kits and PPE requirements for each area. It establishes a coherent visual to remind team members that the responsibility of PPE safety is assigned to themselves. Having an easily identifiable location for all emergency kits helps the team on site to efficiently find and access the equipment in the event of an injury or accident.
Standard Product Catalogue
As the solution/product range was built and developed, Peak VM also wanted to offer the customer an efficient way of ordering standard items. To do this, we designed a Visual Management Catalogue to include all product sizes, information, codes, images etc. This allowed each depot to use a standard approach when ordering and implementing each product.
The Result
Peak VM is proud to have successfully developed and delivered a UK wide Visual Management standard for Stagecoach. Peak VM have adopted a consistent approach to developing and delivering the solutions, in order to manage and plan a large roll out across 120 Stagecoach Depots.
A full range of proven and tested standard products that have been built through development and engagement through the organisation.
◦ Improved communication through coherent standards and visuals.
◦ Professional and durable visual boards that promote Stagecoach branding and values.
◦ Visual Management products that include and focus on Safe working procedures.
◦ Standard products that allow and aid each depot to work efficiently towards the same goal.
Since beginning the Visual Management project with PEAK, back in 2021, we have implemented a full range of visual aids and standards across the majority of all Stagecoach sites. All products have been really well received by the team on site and higher management. It has been great to see how a rudimentary idea we have provided to PEAK, has grown into a full concept design and later physical product for us to run with. Having a standard catalogue of products has also been a great solution to ensure all our Stagecoach sites are aligning to the industry standards, as well as our own internal Stagecoach visual standards.
