Ryan Lovett

To create a robust Centre of Excellence approach, Ashtead Technology continuously benchmarks, standardises and improves how work is delivered across all of our operating facilities, ensuring consistency and quality at every level throughout the organisation. 

A key contributor to this journey is Ryan Lovett, Performance Manager for Ashtead Technology’s Survey and Robotics service line. Ryan’s role focuses on bringing together assets, systems and people into a single, high-performing operational model that supports both day-to-day delivery and long-term improvement. 

Central to Ashtead Technology’s performance management strategy is the integration of assets and processes into its ERP system. By creating clear visibility of equipment, documentation and workflows, the system provides a consistent operational framework that can be applied across all facilities. “My job is to integrate all of our survey and robotics assets into the system and make sure there are kit lists and standard-of-work procedures for our technicians to work to,” says Ryan. “This systems-led approach allows us to benchmark performance across facilities, ensuring the outcome meets the same global standard.” 

A clearly defined standard-of-work procedure removes ambiguity and ensures that every task is carried out in a consistent and repeatable way, regardless of experience level.  “It keeps the efficiency of our technicians  fluid and everything flows better,” notes Ryan. “Experienced technicians can focus on higher-value tasks, while trainee team members gain confidence and autonomy more quickly.” 

“We’ve also recently delivered Lean awareness training to our Aberdeenshire managers,” explains Ryan. “As we move into the new year, we’ll start driving that work down into the workshops, taking a closer look at how teams currently manage their KPIs and the different aspects of their roles. Driving continual improvement through the business is what I enjoy most. Reviewing our existing processes and finding ways to streamline them, making day-to-day work simpler and more effective for our people.” 

Investment in our in-house testing capabilities including a new MUX auto diagnostic test kit and Wizzo, a controlled test booth used for equipment such as navigation systems and gyros further demonstrates Ashtead Technology’s commitment to performance excellence. “The Wizzo is where we can monitor equipment over a few hours and make sure it’s behaving exactly as expected,” explains Ryan. “At the end, it gives a calibrated test report we can supply directly to customers.”  

This capability delivers clear operational benefits, including reduced asset downtime and meaningful cost savings. “There is a significant cost saving by calibrating in-house,” says Ryan. “You also remove the downtime, no shipping and no waiting in queues with other solution providers.” 

At Ashtead Technology there is a strong focus on continuous improvement and sustaining performance, ensuring teams understand not just what to do, but why it matters. “If you tell people to do a process without explaining why, it won’t stick,” notes Ryan. “By embedding performance management into daily behaviours and empowering teams at every level, Ashtead Technology ensures that continuous improvement is ongoing and built to last.”