Combined Metal Industries (CMI) is a leading metal manufacturing business committed to quality, safety, and innovation. Following several years of significant growth, CMI recognised the need to further develop its leadership capability and embed a culture of continuous improvement to support its long-term success.

    The Challenge

    In 2022, CMI partnered with Essemy to develop a structured, long-term plan aimed at strengthening leadership, improving organisational alignment, and creating a culture focused on safety, service, and operational excellence. While cultural shifts had begun internally, CMI’s leadership team identified the need for external expertise to drive sustainable change and align strategy, operations, and people across the business.

    The Solution

    • Strategic Planning
      Essemy worked closely with CMI to shape its 2022–2025 Strategic Plan, setting clear business priorities around growth, customer experience, supply chain security, safety, and cultural alignment.
    • Leadership Development 
      A 12-month leadership development program was designed and delivered, to senior managers and followed by the supervisors. The program included 12 targeted leadership modules to equip managers and supervisors with essential skills in:
      • Coaching for performance
      • Productivity and team management
      • Negotiation and influence
      • Safety leadership
    • Coaching & Self-Awareness
      One-on-one executive coaching and Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i) assessments were introduced to help leaders build deeper self-awareness and lead with greater accountability and influence.
    • Culture & Values Alignment
      Company-wide workshops reinforced CMI’s core values and leadership expectations, embedding safety as a shared mindset across all levels of the organisation—from frontline teams to senior executives.
    • Preparation for Continuous Improvement Strategy
      In 2024, a Lean Maturity Assessment was conducted to evaluate CMI’s readiness for structured Continuous Improvement (CI). The assessment confirmed that CMI is at the ideal junction to embark on its CI journey. Plans are now in place to launch the CMI Excellence Program, beginning with 5S deployment, led in partnership with CI Teams, Essemy’s sister company. This approach will ensure a sustained and expert-guided implementation of CI practices.

    The Impact

    • Stronger Leadership Capability: Leaders now demonstrate greater confidence, consistency, and alignment with CMI’s strategic and cultural goals.
    • Improved Organisational Alignment: Strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations are better integrated, creating a more responsive and cohesive organisation.
    • Enhanced Safety & Accountability: Safety has become a leadership priority, with teams actively taking ownership of creating safer, more efficient workplaces.

    Looking Ahead

    With leadership foundations in place, CMI is now poised to implement its company-wide Continuous Improvement strategy in partnership with CI Teams. The business is focused on evolving into an operationally excellent, customer-first organisation that embeds safety and performance at the heart of its culture.

    Conclusion

    CMI’s partnership with Essemy has developed as a natural and strategic collaboration, grounded in shared values and a commitment to leadership, culture, and continuous improvement. By combining leadership development, cultural alignment, and an expert-led CI strategy through CI Teams, CMI is positioned for agile, values-driven growth and sustained business success.

    Contents

    Browse Some Essemy workshops

    Browse our broad range of workshops to find the training solution that matches your company’s exact needs. Our workshops provide strategic outcomes designed to deliver sustainable, measurable results.

    Browse all Workshops
    More articles

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The goal was to strengthen leadership capability, embed a culture of continuous improvement, and align safety, service, and operational excellence across the organisation.

    Essemy designed a 12-month leadership program with targeted modules, executive coaching, and EQ assessments, enabling leaders to drive cultural and strategic alignment.

    CMI achieved stronger leadership alignment, improved organisational cohesion, and enhanced safety and accountability across all levels of the business.