AGL optimizes its operations through a Lean approach

AGL (Africa Global Logistics), a leading multimodal logistics operator (port, logistics, maritime, and rail) in Africa, is part of the MSC family.

With over a century of expertise and more than 23,000 employees across 49 countries, AGL provides its African and global clients with comprehensive, tailor-made, and innovative logistics solutions, with the ambition of contributing sustainably to Africa’s transformation. Now integrated into the MSC Group—a major player in maritime and logistics—AGL leverages its network of 250 subsidiaries across Africa, Haiti, and Timor.

To enhance competitiveness, Franck Benoist and Gérald Conneau—respectively Director and Deputy Director of Operational Excellence at AGL—are placing Operational Excellence at the core of the business by developing their managers’ capabilities in Lean Management. Spreading the culture and tools of Operational Excellence among managers is a key lever for creating flexibility and achieving significant economic gains.

Onepoint’s Lean Approach: Focused on Building Managerial Capabilities

Onepoint’s expertise, combined with its strong track record in training and hands-on Lean deployment, immediately caught the attention of Franck Benoist when AGL was seeking a partner to spread a culture of continuous improvement across the continent.

 

After COVID, we were looking for a partner to accelerate the rollout of our Operational Excellence initiative. We were quickly reassured by the Lean expertise brought by Onepoint group and the highly dynamic 100% digital training offered. The combination of theoretical learning and hands-on Lean project support to anchor theory in practice was the trigger that convinced us to embark on this journey with Onepoint.

Franck Benoist, Director of Operational Excellence at AGL

A Tailor-Made Approach

In close collaboration with AGL’s Operational Excellence team, Onepoint adapted a certified 100% digital training program delivered over six weeks, structured into 12 theoretical modules (two sessions per week, each lasting two to three hours). The training included numerous dynamic workshops and exercises tailored to the port, transport, and logistics sectors. A mandatory final knowledge assessment validated the theoretical component. The training was reviewed and approved by AGL’s training department to ensure high quality and alignment with local constraints and needs.

Pilot cohorts were identified, and training and Green Belt project needs were mapped out. To qualify for Green Belt certification, each candidate had to submit a business problem to be addressed, sponsored by their General Management. With support from Onepoint consultants, AGL’s Operational Excellence team reviewed and approved the projects’ eligibility and assigned candidates to French- or English-speaking cohorts.

In parallel with the training, Onepoint coaches supported learners in applying the theory directly on the ground through a 12-week performance improvement project. Each project focused on resolving a key performance gap identified onsite in coordination with local top management.

Widespread Impact Across the Continent

Over four years, Onepoint group trained more than 140 managers in Lean Management across 13 cohorts, including directors, operational managers, IT leads, and operational excellence managers.

Our teams coached AGL participants daily to complete around 70 DMAIC projects across 20 African countries (Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cameroon, and others). At the end of each cohort, participants presented their projects to a dedicated jury composed of AGL’s Operational Excellence leadership, training department, local management, and Onepoint group Lean coaches to validate practical application and earn their Green Belt certifications.

Throughout this project, Onepoint group and the Operational Excellence Department held weekly steering meetings to review progress, address alerts, and align on next steps. This regular governance was essential to manage a high volume of activities across many countries on the continent, and to maintain a continuous link between the Operational Excellence Department and the General Management of all business units involved in the Green Belt projects.

To ensure the long-term success of the approach, local Lean managers were identified and coached by the Onepoint group team to take over the operational support for future Green Belt-certified staff.

Four Years of Scaling Up LEAN Actors

After more than four years of training operational managers for Green Belt certification and supporting Lean projects, the benefits are numerous and tangible. Significant economic gains have been achieved across all group activities. Learners were able to showcase their work and gain recognition from both their teams and top management. The projects also improved site safety and the quality of life at work for operators. A continuous improvement dynamic was initiated and is now sustained through further Lean projects and enhanced training programs co-developed with our teams.

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Onepoint group provided both expert and operational support to roll out our Operational Excellence training at the scale of a continent like Africa. The rigor in daily follow-up with managers and the operational results achieved made the Excellence approach highly attractive within AGL Group. The training path is solid, and we’ve now reached the expected critical mass. Onepoint group has been a great support throughout the ramp-up phase of the program. Today, we are fully equipped to continue the journey toward Operational Excellence independently.

Gérald Conneau, Deputy Director of Operational Excellence at AGL

 

This project was led by Onepoint group’s Operational Excellence teams in France.