Trevor Durant
Trainer and Coach
Overview
With over 25 years of experience in manufacturing across industries such as FMCG, brewing, food, confectionery, and textiles, Trevor specialises in driving operational excellence through Lean, continuous improvement, and leadership development. As the founder of Smart Advice Consulting, he works with businesses to achieve rapid, measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and yield through practical, hands-on approaches.
Expertise
Trevor’s expertise spans: Lean implementation, waste reduction, process optimisation, and leadership coaching. He has successfully led Kaizen Sprints to deliver immediate and sustained business improvements. His skills also include problem-solving methodologies, change management, and strategy execution. Additionally, Trevor has extensive experience in:
- Gemba Walks & Leader Standard Work – Embedding structured leadership routines to sustain operational excellence.
- Process Mapping & Workflow Optimisation – Identifying and eliminating bottlenecks for improved efficiency.
- Root Cause Analysis & Quality Management – Reducing defects and improving first-time right metrics.
- Training & Development – Delivering tailored workshops to upskill teams in Lean principles and problem-solving.
Experience
Trevor is a results-driven manufacturing leader with a strong track record of delivering operational improvements. His career has included leadership roles in large-scale manufacturing businesses, where he has developed and implemented Lean strategies to enhance performance.
Starting his career as a manufacturing engineer with Coca Cola, Trevor quickly progressed into leadership roles, driving change initiatives that improved productivity, reduced waste, and strengthened team engagement. His ability to simplify complex problems and implement practical solutions has made him a trusted advisor to businesses seeking rapid transformation.
Since founding Smart Advice Consulting, Trevor has worked with a wide range of manufacturing clients, leading Kaizen Sprints and training programmes that deliver tangible business benefits. His passion lies in helping businesses see that rapid change is achievable.
Through his work, Trevor aims to make Lean principles accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes, ensuring sustainable improvements that drive bottom-line results.