How Laguna Clay Improved Communication, Increased Production Capacity, and Empowered Employees for Long-Term Success

When companies acquire a growing manufacturing business, they often inherit more than products, customers, and facilities. They inherit processes, systems, workflows, and organizational habits that may have worked in the past but are no longer sufficient to support future growth. This was the situation facing Laguna Clay Company.

As one of the largest suppliers to the ceramics community, Laguna Clay manufactures a broad range of products, including clay, kilns, glazes, kiln furniture, and potter’s wheels. After acquiring the business, leadership quickly recognized that continued growth would require stronger systems, better communication, and improved operational processes. To support these objectives, Laguna Clay partnered with LMA Consulting Group.

Building a Foundation for Future Growth

Following the acquisition, leadership understood that the company’s size, manufacturing complexity, and growth ambitions required a more structured approach to operations. According to Bryan Vansell, President and Owner of Laguna Clay, the objective was not simply to improve a single process. Instead, the goal was to create a stronger foundation that would allow the organization to scale successfully while empowering employees to perform at a higher level.

LMA began by spending time with employees throughout the organization, seeking to understand how work was being performed, where challenges existed, and what opportunities could improve performance. Rather than imposing solutions, the team focused on listening. Through numerous one-on-one meetings and process reviews, LMA gained insight into the strengths of the organization while identifying opportunities to improve communication, ERP systems, workflows, and operational effectiveness.

Putting Employees at the Center of the Transformation

One of the key differentiators of the engagement was the emphasis on employee involvement. The people performing the work every day often possess the greatest understanding of operational challenges and opportunities.

LMA worked closely with employees across departments to understand:

  • Existing processes
  • Operational challenges
  • Communication gaps
  • Improvement opportunities
  • System limitations
  • Resource needs

This collaborative approach helped build trust while ensuring that recommendations reflected the realities of day-to-day operations. More importantly, employees became active participants in shaping the future of the business.

Strengthening Systems and Operational Processes

As opportunities were identified, the focus shifted toward strengthening systems and creating more effective operating processes. The engagement included evaluating current workflows, improving communication channels, establishing greater clarity around responsibilities, and creating tools that enabled employees to work more effectively. Rather than relying on constant management intervention, teams were given the information, structure, and support necessary to make decisions and execute their responsibilities with confidence. The team partnered with Laguna Clay to upgrade processes in conjunction with an upgrade of the ERP system to Microsoft BC. The result was a more organized and capable operation.

Improving Communication Across the Organization

For many manufacturers, communication challenges become more pronounced as organizations grow. Departments often operate independently, information becomes fragmented, and opportunities can be missed because teams are not aligned around common objectives. One of the most meaningful outcomes of the engagement was improved communication throughout Laguna Clay. Employees gained greater visibility into priorities, responsibilities, and expectations. Teams became more connected, and information flowed more effectively throughout the organization. This increased alignment helped support both operational performance and employee engagement.

Empowering Employees to Perform at the Next Level

Operational improvements alone do not create sustainable success. Organizations achieve lasting results when employees have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to perform independently. Through process improvements, coaching, and organizational alignment, employees gained greater confidence in their ability to manage responsibilities and contribute to company success. Rather than waiting for direction, team members were empowered to take ownership of their work and solve problems proactively. This created a stronger culture of accountability and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Increasing Production and Organizational Capability

As systems, communication, and processes improved, the organization experienced measurable benefits. Production capacity increased, inventory accuracy improved, communication improved, and employees became more effective in their roles. Leadership gained confidence that the business could continue growing without relying on a small number of individuals to drive daily execution. Instead, the organization developed broader capabilities and stronger operational discipline. The result was a business that was better positioned to support future growth while maintaining the high level of service expected by customers.

The Results

Through its partnership with LMA Consulting Group, Laguna Clay achieved meaningful improvements across the organization:

  • Improved communication across departments
  • Enhanced operational processes and systems
  • Upgraded ERP systems base to support growth
  • Increased production capabilities
  • Greater employee engagement and ownership
  • Improved organizational alignment
  • Stronger operational discipline
  • Increased employee confidence and accountability
  • Reduced dependence on management intervention
  • A stronger foundation for future growth

Most importantly, the company developed the people, processes, and structure necessary to continue improving long after the engagement concluded.

Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Successful transformations are not driven solely by technology or process changes. They occur when organizations invest in their people, create clarity around priorities, and establish systems that support consistent execution. By partnering with LMA Consulting Group, Laguna Clay strengthened its operations, improved communication, increased production capabilities, and empowered employees to perform at a higher level. The result was not only a stronger business but a stronger team—one positioned to support continued growth and long-term success.

 

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Published: September 7, 2018 | Updated: May 3, 2026