To build on the momentum of the BiiG Event, Birla Carbon launched a series of roadshows that empowered employees to transform their ways of thinking and operating, resulting in over 500 participants across 12 countries by 2023. A notable achievement for Birla Carbon Canada’s (Hamilton) team involved the automation of inventory and spare part management using QR codes, advancing our commitment to operational excellence.

The project was developed collaboratively with the global Digital & IT team and onsite stakeholders and involved integrating barcoding technology into the existing ERP infrastructure through a phased approach. The solution was deployed in June 2025, resulting in a reduction in unplanned downtime, saving over 500 labor hours annually, improving inventory reliability, boosting efficiency, enabling proactive stock management and forecasting accuracy.

Megan Angus, Materials Coordinator for the Hamilton Plant emphasized the importance of these advancements for the site, noting that they would, “significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of spare parts inventory and associating parts with the appropriate equipment, ensuring we don’t have downtime due to not having a part in stock, as it provides real-time visibility into stock levels.”

The project’s success highlights the impact of employee-driven innovation at the local level and lays the foundation for transforming operations at a global scale.