LeanBPI boosts small firms with bespoke digitisation

LeanBPI has helped 750 small businesses save €25 million through digitisation projects. One client, Regale Biscuit Company, increased turnover by 10% after introducing a new factory management system.

Over the past 12 years, the Limerick consultancy has delivered average savings of up to €34,425 for small businesses. Its clients include Clonakilty Food Company, Munster Joinery and Nutshed.

Regale, which makes West Cork Biscuit Co. products as well as other biscuits, crackers and granola, had struggled to find off-the-shelf software that matched its operational needs and budget. LeanBPI built an integrated factory management system that brought the manufacturer's data into one platform and cut administrative work by 20%.

The change also improved data analysis, helping the business expand production and increase turnover. Regale supplies baked goods made with locally sourced natural ingredients to some of Ireland's largest retailers.

Food focus

LeanBPI has identified food manufacturing as a key market and is targeting 20% annual growth in its customer base in the sector. It said this ambition will be driven by its model of combining consultancy, audits, workflow design, software development and implementation.

The business was founded by John O'Shanahan and works with small companies on lean management, digital systems and the use of AI in operations. It also works with organisations including IBEC, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices to help clients access supports such as MentorWorks, Digital for Business and Lean for Business grants.

This focus on smaller manufacturers reflects a wider market gap for businesses with complex operational requirements. Food producers in particular must manage food safety, traceability, inventory and regulatory compliance, while many still rely on generic software or a patchwork of separate systems.

That creates a challenge for operators that need tighter control over production and administration without the budget for large-scale technology programmes. LeanBPI's work with Regale points to demand for systems built around the needs of individual factories rather than standard software packages.

In comments released by the company, John O'Shanahan, Managing Director of LeanBPI, said competitive pressure on smaller businesses was increasing as larger groups invested more heavily in digital tools.

"At LeanBPI, we're proud of what we've achieved so far, but we're not slowing down - if anything, we're becoming more ambitious. The reality is that more and more businesses need to invest in digital adoption as they compete with larger organisations with greater resources. Our end-to-end approach to bespoke digitisation delivers far greater ROI than off-the-shelf solutions for businesses that have specific needs to be met. We're constantly evolving our product offering to meet the needs of the market, as we take this next step in strengthening LeanBPI's position as a leading digital consultancy provider."