Generating $4M EBITDA Impact by Training Frontline Problem Solvers

This case study shows how Adonis Partners helped a large automotive organization build a culture of continuous improvement by developing employee problem-solving capability through Lean training and coaching.

Real-World Continuous Improvement and Capability Building Results

This engagement focused on unlocking performance by equipping employees with the skills, structure, and confidence to identify and solve problems. Through Lean training and hands-on coaching, the organization embedded continuous improvement into daily operations while delivering meaningful financial and customer experience gains.

$ 0 M

Annual EBITDA Impact

NPS Score Shift from 60

$ k

Savings from Resolving Stock Outages

The challenge

A renowned automotive company recognized that, despite its size and strong revenue performance, opportunities existed to improve operational processes and employee engagement. Leadership identified untapped potential to drive greater consistency, efficiency, and customer experience across dealerships and collision centers.

Adonis Partners was engaged to help build a sustainable culture of continuous improvement by developing internal problem-solving capability and empowering employees at all levels to contribute to operational excellence.

The capability-building approach

Adonis Partners’ expert consultants began by identifying 60 employees across dealerships and collision centers to participate in Lean Yellow Belt training. The interactive three-day program combined classroom instruction with a hands-on simulation designed to reinforce practical problem-solving skills.

Following the training, participants received bi-weekly coaching sessions to support real-world application of Lean tools. After six months, trainees presented their improvement projects and results to senior leadership. Based on the value generated during the initial wave, the client expanded the initiative to include additional Yellow Belt cohorts and the introduction of Green Belt training, extending continuous improvement capability across a broader segment of the organization.

The impact

The results of the initiative were transformative. Collectively, the improvement efforts delivered an annual EBITDA impact of $4 million. Gains were achieved through improved communication around special parts ordering, reduced stock outages, and the implementation of best-practice customer service checklists.

Quality improvements also drove customer experience gains, with Net Promoter Score increasing from 60 to 71. In addition, optimized phone management practices increased weekly revenue by $12,000. By equipping employees with practical problem-solving skills, Adonis Partners helped the organization establish a foundation for sustainable growth, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

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Automotive Retail & Repair

$6.34B (CAD) Annual Revenue

Established scalable quality control and production procedures

Implemented four waves of Lean Six Sigma training for continuous improvement

Reworked ordering and phone system processes for operational efficiency