A Story of Steady, Confident Progress at Broxburn Bottlers
The Sweet Success Story by Richard Fathers
Inside the AMIS Journey
Inside the AMIS Journey is a collection of short stories told by our consultants - offering a glimpse into what the AMIS process looks like in real operating environments. These aren’t polished case studies; they’re first-hand accounts, straight from the people walking factory floors, challenging assumptions, and helping teams make meaningful, lasting improvements.
In this edition, Richard Fathers takes us into his work with Broxburn Bottlers in Scotland - showing how a business with strong leadership, clear ambition and a long-term mindset can build reliable, sustainable progress year after year.
The Story
“I’ve spent a large part of my consultancy career walking into plants, sitting with maintenance and operational teams, and helping them make sense of where they are — and where they want to go. Every site is different, but the one thing they all share is this: the moment a business decides to take the AMIS Journey seriously, progress begins.
Broxburn Bottlers is a brilliant example of that shift.
My connection with Broxburn began through their Operations Director, Jonathan Bell.
We’d worked together before, and I knew the kind of standards he sets. When he reached out, the conversation went straight to the point: structure, clarity, alignment, and what would best support the business long-term.
Not quick fixes.
Not firefighting.
Real capability building.
I visited their site in Scotland and introduced the AMIS Process to the maintenance team. From that first meeting, it was clear: they wanted genuine improvement, not a report gathering dust on a shelf.
We scheduled their first AMIS Assessment for July 2020. Their starting score came out at 26 — well within the expected range for a first assessment. For me, that number isn’t a judgement; it’s a baseline. A moment where everyone agrees: ‘Right. This is where we are. Let’s get to work.’
And they did exactly that.
The following months were challenging for every manufacturer. Yet Broxburn didn’t step back from the work. They stayed committed and ran their AMIS assessments annually - even through COVID. That tells you everything you need to know about their leadership and their appetite to improve.
Training became a big part of the journey.
Members of the maintenance team joined our public courses, and I delivered tailored sessions on site. Operations staff willingly got involved too, which always makes a difference. When both sides speak the same language, progress accelerates.
I also introduced them to some of our other clients so that they could discuss relevant topics. One of these was an operational minute stop recording system called Factbird , this system has been instrumental in their progress since installation.
With better visibility of stoppages, they could understand their true losses. That clarity helped them focus their improvements where they mattered most.
Their progress since installing it has been significant — and well earned.
From that initial 26, their AMIS score has risen steadily, reaching the low 70s - a tremendous achievement.
But the numbers only tell half the story.
OEE has strengthened.
Asset downtime has dropped.
Downtime-related cost has reduced.
Conversations between maintenance and operations have become more aligned, more constructive, and far more strategic.
This is the kind of shift you notice not just in data, but in atmosphere. The way meetings run. The way decisions are made. The way teams approach problems.
They’re now aiming for Excellence in 2026, that’s a realistic goal that few very businesses have managed to achieve.
Broxburn Bottlers’ journey isn’t a tale of overnight transformation.
It’s a story of consistent effort, grounded leadership, and a team that genuinely wants to improve - even when the timing is far from ideal.
In my line of work, these are the journeys that matter.They remind me that progress isn’t always dramatic.Sometimes it’s measured, deliberate and steady - and that’s exactly what creates long-term sustainable success.”
— Richard Fathers, MCP Managing Consultant
How MCP Makes It Happen
At MCP, we specialise in guiding organisations through the AMIS Journey - from assessment through to practical delivery. Consultants like Richard don’t just present findings; they help teams make sense of the detail, focus their efforts and build improvements that last.
The result?
Progress that’s measured, steady and grounded in the day-to-day realities of each site — just as shown in Broxburn Bottlers’ journey.
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