Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Value Stream Mapping at Ireland Alloys

When business is booming but profits aren’t keeping pace, it might feel like the solution is to bring in more people or push everyone to work harder. But let’s face it—that isn’t always the sharpest strategy. It’s often neither the most efficient nor the most sustainable answer. The real game-changer lies in digging deeper to understand and optimise your processes. This is exactly what Ireland Alloys has accomplished by focusing intently on mapping the value throughout their entire business operations.

Based in Blantyre, Ireland Alloys is one of Europe’s premier recyclers of complex metal alloys. They specialise in sourcing, processing, and selling a wide range of metals, focusing on nickel and cobalt superalloys. With over half a century of experience, Ireland Alloys has an impressive reputation for quality and reliability, proudly catering to diverse industries like aerospace, petrochemical, medical, and power generation.

Evaluating processes might sound straightforward, but it can be a demanding undertaking - especially if you are unsure where to begin. It requires time, effort, and input from every corner of your business. Identifying what’s critical is no easy feat, as Mhairi Brown, Operations Director, explains: “It’s not about pushing people to work longer hours; it is about stepping back to truly understand and appreciate the value within our processes. The people who know our business best are those on the frontlines, and they need to lead the charge for any operational changes.”

For businesses with high-volume operations, the constant hustle often leaves little room to focus on operational efficiency. Yet that’s precisely where their attention should be. Identifying value is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity. Without it, businesses risk getting stuck in a relentless cycle where nothing ever improves.

Value stream mapping (VSM), a cornerstone of lean methodologies, offers much more than a basic process overview. It provides a holistic examination of the entire value stream, pinpointing areas where value is created - and where it’s wasted. By adopting this detailed approach, businesses can refine their processes, cut unnecessary waste, and boost overall efficiency, ensuring that every step contributes meaningful value to the final product.

Over the past year, Ireland Alloys has collaborated closely with Valorem First, investing substantial effort into value stream mapping - and the results are already making waves. Helen McMillan, Client Experience Director at Valorem First, shares, “Businesses need to be intentional about examining value, not just chasing profit. Ireland Alloys now has a crystal-clear understanding of its operations, from sourcing raw materials and processing them to delivering the final product to customers. Even more importantly, they’ve pinpointed the root causes of their challenges, which has been pivotal for driving the digital enhancements they’ve introduced.”

Mhairi adds, “One of the most eye-opening discoveries was how much time we waste. The entire business now has a clear picture of how everything fits together, which has fostered a newfound appreciation for each link in the chain. Everyone is committed to cutting out activities that don’t add value, and we’re already seeing great results from addressing the root causes of inefficiencies.”