Written by Panos Gkantiragas / Operational Excellence Director of the Copper Segment at ElvalHalcor S.A.

Since 2022, the Copper segment has been on a journey to implement Operational Excellence – not as a one-time project, but as a lasting way of working. Our vision is clear: to build a high-performing organization by developing strong capabilities throughout every part of the business.

At the heart of this transformational journey is our Integrated Operational Excellence System. This system is designed to help us achieve sustainable business results by embedding standardized processes, tools, and methods across all departments. It’s about creating consistency in how we operate, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The aim is to move beyond short-term fixes and adopt a mindset where zero losses, employee ownership and a strong health & safety culture become the core elements.

Operational Excellence is focused on three core objectives.

• 1. Improving customer satisfaction by enhancing product quality, increasing equipment reliability, and reducing lead times.
• 2. Boosting operational efficiency, by optimizing equipment performance and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• 3. Reducing operational costs by streamlining processes and minimizing losses.

One of the foundational elements helping us implement these principles is Run-to-Target (RTT), introduced with the assistance of the Operational Excellence team of Steelmet Corporate Services. Run-to-Target (RTT) is more than a project — it’s the foundation of our new operating model, implemented across all Copper Segment sites to bring strong structure and discipline to daily operations. It encourages everyone—from plant managers to line operators—to be fully engaged and aligned around a shared goal. It introduces the core elements of the Daily Management Systems (DMS) and Daily Direction Setting (DDS), which help us monitor performance, address issues quickly and stay focused on priorities.

DMS ensures that standards are maintained and improved over time. They embed elements from TPM, Lean, and reliability engineering into daily work and follow the PDCA cycle: Plan, Do, Check, Act. Problems are not just fixed — they are captured and integrated into the system to prevent recurrence. DDS are not just meetings—they are the heartbeat of our operations. They allow teams to track progress, solve problems, and align priorities across shifts and departments.

Most importantly, Run-to-Target (RTT) enables us to transition from a reactive mindset to a proactive culture, laying the groundwork for Operational Excellence. At Copper Segment, Operational Excellence is not just a goal — it is becoming our way of working. We believe in the potential of every employee and in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. Together, we are building a stronger, more capable, and more reliable organization.