I have been helping organisations within New Zealand for the last 20+ years to transform their operations by applying Continuous Improvement thinking where the work actually happens: on the floor, in the office or boardroom. Most importantly with your people.
Real-world solutions that fit how your business actually runs, not theory from a textbook.
02
Experience
Years of hands-on improvement work across industries, applied directly to your challenges.
03
Lasting
Habits, standards and capability your team keeps using long after the engagement ends.
04
Change
Measurable results: shorter lead times, less rework, better margins and happier people.
Sound familiar?
The signs your processes are costing you
Lead times keep creeping out and customers are chasing you.
The same mistakes and rework come back every month.
Good people spend their day firefighting instead of improving.
You're growing, but margins and capacity aren't keeping up.
Services
Practical Lean, sized for your business
From a one-day diagnostic to a sustained improvement programme. Every engagement is scoped to what you actually need.
Business Health Check
A fast, on-site diagnostic of where time, money and effort are leaking. Leaving you with a prioritised action plan of where to start.
Practical Problem Solving
From a simple countermeasure to full Root Cause Analysis: the right level of rigour to fix problems for good, without over-engineering the quick wins.
Value Stream Mapping
See your end to end process on one page, find the bottlenecks, and design a better future state with your team.
Focused Improvement Events
Focused 1–3 day improvement workshops that deliver measurable change, not just sticky notes.
5S & Visual Management
Organised, safe workplaces and simple boards that make performance and problems visible at a glance.
Leader & Team Coaching
Build daily improvement habits such as huddles, problem solving and leader standard work, so gains stick after I leave.
Tiered Management Reporting Structures
Linked daily and weekly meetings from the front line to leadership, so issues are escalated quickly and everyone works from the same KPI's.
Continuous Improvement / Lean Training
Hands-on workshops in Lean fundamentals, A3 problem solving and standard work, tailored to your industry.
How we work together
A simple, honest approach
Talk
A free, no pressure conversation about what's going on and what good would look like for you.
See
I go to where the work happens to observe and gather real data. I listen to you about your process and ask questions to understand why things are done the way they are.
Improve
Develop KPI's that are relevant to your teams, so we can measure what's in or out of control. We identify what we can fix today, then problem solve and develop actions to fix it forever where possible. All done with the emphasis on enabling your leaders and teams to develop the skills to do this themselves.
Sustain
Develop daily and weekly meetings that keep everyone focused on continuous improvement, and with you build a roadmap / framework ensuring long term sustainability.
About
Kia ora, I'm Richard Sharpe
I'm an independent Business consultant based in the Waikato, working with businesses across New Zealand.
Before going out on my own I spent 12 years working with over 40 organisations as a senior consultant, leading continuous improvement activities in manufacturing, food processing, farming and FMCG organisations.
I've seen what works — and what gets left in a binder on the shelf. My focus is practical change your team believes in and keeps running long after I have gone.
As a sole operator, you get me, no hand off's to junior staff, no bloated proposals, just straight up advice and hands on help.
Qualified Engineer (with a background in aviation parts manufacture)
Experienced Production Planner (member of NZPICS)
12 years as a senior consultant across 40+ organisations
Flexible engagements — fixed-price or day rate
Available for project work or to cover short term staffing needs
What clients say
Results that last
I have known Richard for over 15 years and have had the pleasure of working with him on numerous improvement projects over that time.
Richard has a great ability to work alongside shop floor staff, getting everyone involved and ensuring processes are practical, effective, and properly embedded into everyday operations.
He has a real strength in setting up and improving production flows, both on the factory floor and through structured production meetings. His hands-on approach and ability to communicate with people at all levels make him a valuable asset to any business looking to improve its operations.
Above all, Richard is a genuinely good guy, easy to work with, approachable, and someone who gets things done.
I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Richard to any business looking to improve its production processes and operational performance. His experience, practical knowledge, and ability to bring people along on the improvement journey are second to none. Richard doesn't just talk about improvements — he gets involved, makes them happen, and ensures they stick.
Grant EdwardsChief Operations Officer, Hansa
I have had the privilege of working closely with Richard Sharpe for over ten years, both professionally and personally. During this time, I have come to appreciate not only his deep technical expertise but also his exceptional ability to develop people and create high-performing teams.
When Richard was with LMAC, he played a significant role in supporting my transition into an Engineering Manager position. He provided invaluable guidance, mentoring, and coaching that helped me develop my leadership capabilities and gain confidence in a new and challenging role. Richard has a unique ability to understand the importance of leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, while also providing clear structures, processes, and practical frameworks that enable leaders to be successful.
Beyond personal development, Richard possesses an exceptional depth of knowledge in engineering operations and process improvement. He was instrumental in establishing the foundational systems and disciplines required to drive engineering excellence within our organisation. His approach to operational management brought greater transparency to plant performance by introducing structured reviews of downtime, uptime, and asset reliability. This enabled our teams to move beyond symptom management and focus on meaningful root cause analysis, creating a culture of continuous improvement.
The impact of Richard’s work was significant. Through the implementation of robust operational processes and performance management systems, our engineering teams were able to identify opportunities more effectively, improve reliability, and ultimately achieve some of the highest levels of plant uptime recorded within our operations.
What sets Richard apart is his ability to combine technical excellence with outstanding people skills. He is approachable, trustworthy, and highly effective at engaging with people at all levels of an organisation, from frontline operators through to senior leadership. His collaborative style, practical mindset, and genuine commitment to helping others succeed make him a highly respected mentor, leader, and business partner.
I have no hesitation in recommending Richard. His ability to develop people, improve operational performance, and build sustainable engineering systems delivers lasting value to both individuals and organisations.
Andrew TurnerNational Engineering Manager, Tegel Foods Ltd
Not at all. Lean is about removing waste and improving flow in any process. A single person operation / workshop or an office team can benefit just as much as a large factory.
How much does it cost?
It depends on scope. Many clients start with a fixed-price Health Check so they know exactly what they're getting. All prices are in NZD and exclude GST. Get in touch for a quote.
Do you work outside your region?
Yes. I work on-site throughout New Zealand and run coaching and training sessions remotely where that makes sense.
How quickly will we see results?
Most teams see tangible improvements within the first few weeks. Focused improvement events are designed to deliver measurable change within days or weeks.
Let's find the waste opportunities in your processes
Book a free 30-minute call. We'll talk about your challenges and whether I'm the right fit — no obligation.
