About Swathi Mohan
I was one of the first few women on the manufacturing floor at Toyota in India, drawn by my passion for electrical engineering and a fascination for how things work. Standing on that vast shop floor, immersed in the buzz of machinery, and watching a vehicle roll off the final assembly line every single minute was a dream come true. Every day felt like an invitation to learn, to grow, and to sharpen my skills in ways I never imagined. My nearly decade-long journey with Toyota taught me to see a manufacturing floor as a “symphony of efficiency,” where each part and process worked together in harmony to achieve something remarkable.
But everything shifted when I began working with small and medium-sized manufacturers. For the first time, I saw the stark difference: their shop floors showed a huge scope for improvement, with many untapped opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency. The contrast was striking, and that is when the idea for Leanacle took shape. I found myself asking: What if every manufacturer could operate at the level of Toyota? What could that mean for their profits, their productivity, and the morale of their employees? Could this vision of operational excellence be achieved across the industry?
These questions became my driving force, pushing me to start Leanacle. Today, Leanacle exists to make this vision real—to help SMEs elevate their operations, transform their shop floors, and realize their full potential by embracing the same principles that make Toyota a global benchmark for efficiency.
Swathi Mohan -Founder and principal consultant of Leanacle.
What I do?
I make a direct impact on the operational KPIs that drive success or failure in manufacturing. My focus is on the core areas that determine a company’s competitive edge—improving safety, enhancing quality, boosting productivity, ensuring on-time delivery, and fostering human development. By strengthening these key performance areas, I help manufacturing businesses achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Who I serve?
I work with automotive SME manufacturers who are committed to enhancing their profitability and are open to embracing a mindset of continuous improvement. These are companies ready to make meaningful changes to achieve real results. By collaborating closely, I guide them through proven strategies and practical steps that drive lasting improvements in efficiency, quality, and productivity. Together, we build a path toward sustainable growth that aligns with their goals and strengthens their competitive edge.
What sets me apart?
Lean is more than just a technique. It is a culture that requires a deep understanding of the human element to be effectively implemented or improved. I specialize in driving change at the grassroots level, focusing on the transformation of people within organizations. This emphasis on the human aspect of Lean sets me apart in my field. My clients consistently highlight the importance I place on building strong human relationships, prioritizing them over mere technological advancements. I believe that lasting transformation starts with people, and my approach fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
The Journey Was Not Always Smooth
My journey in consulting has not been without challenges. In this line of work, resistance to change is inevitable. I often hear something like, “You do not know the technical details of our process—how can you make it more efficient?” These words echo familiar concerns, ones I have encountered at every level in organizations. Employees, too, may resist change, feeling a need to protect the processes and routines that have become second nature.
At times, I felt the weight of these concerns myself. Change is hard, and it is even harder to ask others to trust in a new direction when they feel that something essential to them is at risk. We all have our own comfort zones, and it takes real work to push beyond them.
This belief led to the founding of Leanacle. The peaks in our logo represent the challenges we face—the obstacles that can seem daunting but that, if climbed, reward us with magnificent views. Our commitment to working from the ground up reflects this journey. We know that sustainable transformation can only happen by listening to employees, understanding their realities, and addressing their genuine concerns. Empowering teams, rather than imposing solutions from the top down, is at the core of what we do.
As a small to medium enterprise ourselves, we understand the pressures manufacturers face: tight budgets, limited resources, and a constant balancing act between urgent daily tasks and long-term improvement goals. It is not easy, and we know that every dollar counts. That is why we offer value-based fees designed to help prioritize resources, ensuring that the investment you make truly delivers returns.
Through all the challenges and resistance, I have come to see each concern as an opportunity. Every objection, every hesitation, is a reminder of the responsibility we carry to do our work with integrity, empathy, and purpose. At Leanacle, we are not just offering consulting services; we are navigating these challenges alongside you, helping you see beyond the peaks, knowing that what awaits on the other side is truly worth it.