Another Kolektor Lean Academy Concludes

04. 03. 2026

All participants received a certificate of completion. Four of them were given special recognition as the top participants of this year’s Lean Academy: Grażyna Witek (Kolektor Weltech), Rok Benčina (Kolektor Mobility), Žan Borštnik (Kolektor Etra), and Matej Peljhan (Kolektor CPG). Reflecting on the experience, the latter said: “The Lean Academy gave me a wealth of new knowledge and new challenges. Every workshop introduced a new topic and a fresh perspective on issues we encounter daily. At the academy, you also gain theoretical background and interesting problem-solving concepts.”

“The purpose of Kolektor’s Lean Academy is for participants, facilitators, and colleagues from different companies and at different levels to learn methods and gain insight into how to think innovatively, how to strive for continuous improvement, and so on,” explains Sebastjan Franzini, Head of Lean Production at the Kolektor and Head of the Lean Academy. He adds: “In essence, it is an investment in the future of our employees and in the competitiveness of individual companies and the entire Kolektor.”

During the program, participants gain a significant amount of new knowledge. “We start with soft skills, usually focusing on communication. We concentrate on tools that help participants present their ideas confidently and credibly to colleagues and superiors. This year, we also explored where to find motivation, how to manage stress, and how to articulate things effectively,” says soft skills trainer Anja Križnik Tomažin. She adds that this was followed by four modules covering more technical knowledge, primarily focused on lean production. “At the final session, we added the finishing touch by emphasizing that there is no lean production without communication. On its own, lean is just a tool—but to become a culture, it must be embedded in communication. We looked more deeply into the ‘waste’ we create in communication and how to reduce it, improve relationships, achieve goals, and strengthen the overall culture of lean.”

Lean has been a topic at Kolektor for many years. What started as an initiative has evolved into a structured process. “The world is changing—faster than ever before. If you’re not fast enough, it’s hard to win,” said Žiga Kogej, Member of the Management Board of the Kolektor, addressing the graduates. “There are many opportunities and challenges ahead where you can apply the knowledge you’ve gained. We count on you. Be determined, persistent, and think outside the box. Everything you do, even the smallest thing, delivers results. New generations of Lean Academy ‘graduates’ are coming—and perhaps you will be their inspiration.”