Viatris Little Island wins dual awards for Overall Operational Excellence and Manufacturing at Operational Excellence Awards 2026

By Jed Nykolle Harme

June 09, 2026

Viatris Little Island secured the Overall Operational Excellence Award and the Operational Excellence in Manufacturing Award at the Operational Excellence Awards 2026, distinguished for its structured deployment of Lean systems, deeply embedded culture of continuous improvement, and world-class operational performance across its manufacturing operations.

The organisation demonstrated exceptional capability building through disciplined process improvement and systematic engagement. By integrating people development with operational discipline, Viatris created an environment where continuous improvement becomes embedded within daily management systems rather than existing as a parallel initiative.

Judges commended the organisation's approach to operational excellence. "This entrant demonstrated world-class operational excellence across manufacturing," the panel stated. 

"They demonstrated a structured deployment of Lean systems, supported by a deeply embedded culture of continuous improvement and capability building. Measurable impacts are clear, from $3.8M CI benefits and audit cost reductions to perfect quality and supply metrics. The integration of people, processes, and performance systems set a benchmark for best practice, showing real engagement, capability development, and tangible results across the organisation."

The dual award recognition reflects Viatris Little Island's standout achievement within the 2026 programme. By securing both the sector-specific manufacturing award and the overall programme prize, the organisation demonstrated operational excellence that transcends category boundaries, setting benchmarks across multiple evaluation criteria including financial impact, quality performance, supply chain reliability, and cultural maturity.

Viatris Little Island's achievement demonstrates how operational excellence frameworks can deliver simultaneous improvements across financial performance, quality metrics, supply chain reliability, and organisational capability.

Heading into future cycles, Viatris Little Island's achievement reflects the evolving definition of operational excellence in manufacturing to deliver consistent, world-class outcomes through disciplined Lean deployment and cultural transformation. 

As manufacturing sectors face ongoing pressure to balance efficiency, quality, and sustainability, structured approaches to continuous improvement and capability building position organisations to sustain competitive advantage.

For more information on award categories, past winners, and judging insights, visit the Operational Excellence Awards website and subscribe to the newsletter for updates and sector insights.