Lean Manufacturing Consultants:
Shinka Management is a global company of lean manufacturing consultants which specializes in the transfer of Japanese management know-how. Our lean consultants provide practical solutions for developing your people and improving your business through continuous improvement, resulting in increased productivity and competitiveness.
Looking for support in implementing and sustaining a lean culture within your organization? Talk to us about how our lean consultants can help with your unique needs. Read more +
- Diagnosis – Develop your lean deployment roadmap
- Implement – Practical support for your lean journey
- Toyota Sensei – The ultimate lean consultants
Our training services cover the most powerful lean methodologies developed by Japanese industry, and are designed to develop your people with the skills they need to excel. Read more +
- Lean Training – Japanese production management
- Scheduled Courses – View up-coming training dates
- Kaizen Training Programs – See full range of topics
New to the concept of lean, or searching for that next level of achievement? Our lean Japan tours will help you discover how lean can best be implemented within your business. Read more +
- Exclusive Access – Benchmark Japanese companies
- Training – Lean seminars and hands-on experiences
- Tour Leadership – Led by expert lean consultants
Lean / Kaizen ?
New to the concept of lean, or searching for that next level of achievement? Our lean consultants will help you discover how lean can best be implemented within your business.
Lean Manufacturing Consultants – Kaizen Method Experts
Shinka Management specializes in the transfer of Japanese management know-how to global industry. Our lean consultants provide access to Japan’s rich experience and knowledge in business process management and continuous improvement practices.
Our lean consultants are here to help you increase your productivity and competitiveness, providing lean consulting, lean training and our popular Lean Japan Tours. We integrate into your organization to achieve tangible and measurable solutions that strengthen your people and improve your bottom line.
Our lean consulting team supports industry-leading companies in over 60 countries. Our lean management consultants include veteran Toyota factory managers from Japan, and senior lean consultants that have developed their expertise in lean manufacturing directly through Japanese industry. With a thorough understanding of the language and culture in which lean was originally developed, and experience in applying lean practices to various corporate and national cultures around the world, our consultants are well placed to provide the right support for your team.
Our focus is on providing practical, implementable solutions for improving your business. Contact us to discuss how Shinka Management can help you and your team drive cultural change and achieve sustainable improvements across your organization.
- Safety
In implementing lean principles with our clients, safety is top priority for our lean consultants. Only once safety is maintained can a culture of continuous improvement flourish. - Quality
By building quality into the process and removing reliance on inspection, our clients move towards zero defect production, removing costly rework and damage to reputation. - Productivity
Waste elimination, process standardization and raising employee awareness, enable our clients to dramatically improve operational efficiency. - Staff Morale
Through removing unnecessary work, roadblocks and frustrations, staff are freed up to achieve a greater value-add for the customer. This ultimately leads to greater employee morale and retention. - Customer Satisfaction
Value, as perceived by the customer, is a key driver for all lean activities. Through reducing lead times and guaranteeing quality, customer satisfaction is increased, along with your reputation. - Profit
Our clients substantially improve profitability as they move towards an injury-free workplace with low staff turnover, higher operational productivity, zero defects and increased market share.
Contact us for a tailored solution
Speak to our lean consultants about customized support for your team’s lean journey.
Lean Japan Tours – Immerse Yourself in the Origins of Kaizen
Terry Glover, Production Manager
KS Metal Fabrication
Wow. What a great experience not just from a learning perspective but also a great cultural experience as well. From the start the group came together really well. It was a perfect mix of practical and theory, and to gain an insight into the Toyota Production System and see it in action at all the…
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Joan Lang, Quality & Value Coordinator
Nelson Forests
I had several projects that I had been procrastinating on. They seemed too big, too complicated and I was actually struggling to know where to start. Without a word of a lie, after the first day I came back to my hotel room and wrote up the backbone of my strategy using the skills I…
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Martin Karlsson, Operations Manager
Volvo Buses
A great tour. Having spent over 20 years in manufacturing I now understand the true meaning of Kaizen.
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Lees Seymour, Managing Director
Nelson Forests
Amazing experience, exceptional learning. If you want to learn about Lean go on this tour!
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Sebastian Donner, Lean Expert
Airbus Germany
To do a lean learning tour with Shinka is definitely highly recommended. As lean is a personal journey for everyone who is involved in this topic, it doesn’t matter at which point of your journey you are in. At each level of personal experience there is a lot that you can take home with you.…
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Michael W McLean, Managing Director
McLean Management Consultants
Had the pleasure to accompany Ben and clients on the 2007 Lean Japan Tour. I had worked with many Japanese, ASEAN, UK and US firms and as such have participated in benchmarking assignments and tours of their operations. Some involved attending and presenting at various strategy, productivity and quality management conferences. In that context, I…
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Cherrie Teh, Supply & Demand Director
Keysight Technologies
It was an excellent tour – professionally run and well executed. The companies selected implemented lean at a high degree. The passion they exhibited in sharing their lean journey was very inspiring. I have learned new strategies to bring home to implement. A time well spent.
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Blas Poveda Navarrete, Operations Senior Manager
Airbus Spain
The tour has given me the opportunity to understand in a practical way what I learned theoretically. I have checked that the theory is possible to put in practice. This has been the first time that I have felt the lean manufacturing philosophy first hand. Congratulations to the Shinka Team. The organisation has been perfect…
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Thomas Baron, Financial Controller
Fuji Xerox
During the Lean Japan Tour I came to the realization that improving an organization is not through large capital investments alone. We were completely surrounded by examples of minor investments into small improvements that produced significant savings. The clever use of visual management techniques gave a clear understanding of the current situation and Ben who…
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Mark Stratford, General Manager
KS Metal Fabrications
I was a part of the November 2013 Lean Japan Tour and would highly recommend it for anyone who is serious about Lean Manufacturing. Ben and Paul are well organised and have put together a great tour. The tour is very enjoyable and a great insight into Lean manufacturing. I have come back with a…
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Jodie Hawkes, Director
Bowhill Engineering
A great mix of Japanese Business Etiquette, site visits show-casing lean principles, Japanese Culture and networking with the other members of the group. Both Ben & Paul were professional yet relaxed and friendly. Their relationships with key personnel in strategic lean businesses is impressive and their ability to translate quickly & accurately minimised the language…
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Alexander Sorokin, Operational Excellence Dept. Director
Eurasian Resources Group, Kazakhstan
I personally believe that understanding of Lean as the holistic concept and Lean instruments is necessary for all the managers in any business. Shinka Management introduced for us the origins of Lean Production and provided a great opportunity to observe real companies where TPS principles are both implemented and being polished daily. Important parts of…
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Jeremy Hawkes, Managing Director
Bowhill Engineering
Paul and Ben from Shinka Management need to be commended for the tour that they ran in Japan. The experience has enlightened and energised me to intensify the lean efforts within our organisation. The tour was packed full of knowledge building as well as relationship building with other participants all whilst experiencing a cultural treat…
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Luke Ellery, Production Manager
Kelly Engineering
From a remote rural engineering company – to the shining lights of Japan’s finest. I have returned overwhelmed from the experience to learn from some of the worlds best manufacturers and absorb decades of experience from my fellow peers. Highly recommended and treat it as a sound investment for your company’s future!
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Stuart Baak, Regional Manufacturing Excellence Manager
Lion
The Shinka lean study mission of Japan offers participants an opportunity to see what is possible in undertaking world class manufacturing. The insights that are possible on tours like this can really challenge what you think are the real key success factors for implementation and enhance the chance of success in your own journey.
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Andrew Marshall, Production Manager
Wineworks Marlborough
Personally and professionally I found the week extraordinarily rewarding – not only as a fantastic Lean Japan Tour but as a cultural experience not to be missed. Imagine if you will… taking a group of people you had never met before, under your wing, in one of the most crowded cities in the world. Plenty…
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Lily Sayers, Operations Director
Chartwell Compliance
Shinka Management organized an excellent tour. It was structured to capture professional development and cultural experience. The tour also provided me with experiences related not only to the local culture and food of Japan, but also to the culture and languages of fellow participants from all over the world. This tour has made a significant…
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Mario Neuwirth, Managing Director
E.Hawle Armaturenwerke
This trip really enlightened me in some specific lean topics and showed me all the beneficial aspects of lean manufacturing. The biggest take away for me was a deeper appreciation of not just the tools but the philosophy. The way the trip was organised and flowed was amazing. Thanks to Paul and David from Shinka…
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Lee Baines, Business Advisor & Manager Best Practice Unit
Department of Industry, Australian Government
Businesses need every weapon at their disposal to help compete in a global market. This tour opens up more ideas and opportunities and is highly recommended to manufacturers, engineering or service related industries. Everyone can learn something on this tour! Paul and Ben have done a marvelous job of putting together an action-packed week, which…
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Anna-Maria Kähr, Learning Program Manager
Volvo Group University, Sweden
I would like to give my deepest thanks for helping us end the executive program on a high note. This week has summarized TPS / VPS in a very practical and eye-opening manner. The lean journey has become real and exemplified through the many visits we have done. The coaching by Hattori Sensei, and by…
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Donald Stewart, Managing Director
Calder Stewart Construction
I highly recommend the Lean Japan Tour – it provided a very good insight, was well organised and is led by guys who are clearly very passionate for lean and Japan.
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John Mills, Business Adviser
Australian Industry Group
I attended the Shinka Management / Ai Group / JMAC Lean Japan Study Tour in 2010 – outstanding, highly recommended. (I don’t have this much fun when I go on holiday.) To see the cultural home of Lean Manufacturing is an experience you will never forget. Ride on a bullet train, walk the factory floor…
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Stuart Cumming, Continuous Improvement Manager
ETEL Transformers
The fact that you can go past all the books and see the Toyota Production System in action first hand is fantastic. It is not sold in a complicated form by those involved but rather the opposite. The training room was found to be hands on and simple allowing us to touch and feel examples…
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Andrew Hutchinson, Vice President – Technology Development
Thomas Electronics
This tour was recommended to me by our VP Operations who undertook the tour the previous year. Both Ben and Paul provided an excellent tour of the Japanese manufacturing industry and the program was both well run and highly focused towards the practical implementation of lean strategies. There were plenty of opportunities to ask questions…
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Vikas Chhabra, Senior Manager – Operational Excellence
Certis CISCO Security
The one week Lean Japan Tour not only validates ‘how lean can make business sense’ but also provides the opportunity to learn and share with professionals across different industries.
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Roman Wigger, Consultant
Bain & Company
It was an inspiring week with great learnings around lean and how it is applied across various levels of the supply chain. The tour also provides a nice glimpse into the Japanese culture with its amazing food and friendly people.
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Herry Wiputra, Head of Technology – Customer Systems
REA Group
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the November 2013 tour. I learned so much about Japanese culture and TPS. Despite coming from the IT industry, I was able to gain valuable insights on the philosophy and principles of Lean that I can apply in my industry. Ben and Paul are top-notch guides. Their wealth of…
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Glen and Nancy Genner, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer
Genneral Staircase
Dear Paul, Ben and Eri, We would just like to take a moment to thank you for such a wonderful tour. You exceeded all our expectations for a week long journey – from your very professional approach and even more personal service. The week was extremely insightful, and we could not stop talking about what…
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Robert Lloyd, Business Adviser
Australian Industry Group
I attended the tour in 2011 and found the whole experience very useful to build on my understanding of Lean Manufacturing. For those having a reasonable understanding of Lean this tour shows in detail the gap that Australia experiences to world class productivity practices. Most interesting was the deployment of essentially the key elements of…
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David Cunningham, Performance Manager
Metro Trains Melbourne
The whole tour was very professionally undertaken and led. Paul and Ben have to be congratulated for putting together a very informative and very enjoyable experience. The itinerary was excellent and to see from the raw material all the way through the supply chain through to the finished product was superb. I loved the thought…
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Peter Cox, Director
Simply Lean Business Solutions Limited
I highly recommend the Lean Study Tour of Japan as an experience not to be missed. Having attended the tour for the past three years, supporting our clients, I have come away with new learnings every time. Whether you are new to Lean Thinking or well into your Lean Journey you will undoubtedly have an…
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Geoff Short, Operations Senior Manager
Airbus UK
The tour has been a once in a lifetime experience and a real insight into Japanese Industry and culture. The warm welcome and organisation of the week including travel, hotels, places to eat and all visits were exceptional. The Toyota Group and Isuzu factory tours really demonstrated the Toyota Production System followed up with great…
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Alexandre Belkanichi, Operations Manager
Airbus France
Amazing Tour. Great experience to see and share with Japanese managers. I learned a lot about their culture, their way to think, to work and to improve by themselves. Great moments during training and after work. Thanks a lot. We will return back home with a new eye and mindset.
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Mark McGuinness, Manufacturing Manager
Moffat
A high quality, professional and first-hand experience of how just-in-time and lean are mastered. Great for professional development and a genuine motivator to go further using the lean tools available. A marvelous cultural experience.
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Simon Weston, Managing Director
TAL Apparel (Vietnam)
Paul, I just wanted to reach out and give my sincere thanks for an amazing week in Japan. You and your team of experts across all areas of business and language gave me an unforgettable experience and reminded me of so many aspects of lean that I had put to one side or taken for…
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Sue Phillips, Director Cross-Functional Process Improvement
Seattle Children’s Research Institute
I am now back in the office in rainy Seattle and wanted to say a huge thank you, once again for making the lean tour such an enjoyable learning experience. There are so many valuable learnings and enriching experiences that I am looking forward to sharing with my team and colleagues here in the coming days. I…
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Greg Curcio, Improvement Support Manager
Metro Trains Melbourne
I would highly recommend the tour to anyone who is in the business of improving people. The ideas stimulated through this tour have helped me reform our entire vision of what improvement means for our business.
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Jan Schjottelvig, Quality Manager
Saint-Gobain Abrasives
I enjoyed every aspect of this extremely well organised kaizen tour including: factory visits, translations by Paul and Ben, TPS training, sightseeing, accommodation, transportation, and meals. This tour is a must for anyone trying to understand / implement LEAN into their business or organisation. I hope the tour continues for many years to come as…
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Maurizio Porta, CEO
Porta Solutions
Dear Paul, Thank you for the nice experience you and your team were able to provide me! It has been a very professional tour and even more a very nice human connection with you, David and Eri. You have built a nice team that makes people’s lives change! Ciao, Maurizio
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Michael Moroney, Production Manager
DA Hall
One of the best weeks of my life. It has changed the way I see my production facility forever!
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Dr Omar Naguib Abd Elaziz, Vice President of Operations
Al Khafji National Hospital
As I have had a previous unpleasant experience with lean training, I was worried about how much I could gain from this tour. At the end of this magnificent experience I can confirm that Shinka Management has exceeded my expectations. They are so organized, dedicated, helpful and generous. The tour was based on very-well known…
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Andy Bisset, Process Improvement Manager
Calder Stewart Construction
If you have embarked on a lean journey The Lean Study Tour should be on your bucket list! It was inspiring to see the Toyota Production System in action as a management system, as well as the small improvements made day in and day out by dedicated and motivated teams all striving to continuously improve.…
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Gilbert Bruton, TPM Co-ordinator
Coopers Brewery Ltd
Not for the fainthearted, this action-packed tour will blow you away. It’s a one-week learning adventure supercharged with information on TPS (Lean) principles. The learning experiences and companies visited far exceeded expectations. The Japanese managers we met were friendly and excited to share their experiences. If you desire change within your organisation and are not…
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New to the concept of lean, or searching for that next level of achievement? Our lean tours will help you discover how to best implement lean within your business.
The tour duration is 7 days and includes:
- Company Tours – a range of industries with discussion with senior management.
- Training – TPS, TPM, Kanban, VM, Just-in-time, 5S, Jidoka, SMED, Poka-yoke, TQM
- Seminars – learn to implement, lead and sustain a lean culture in your organization
- Culture – immerse yourself in a mix of cultural and sightseeing experiences
- Small Groups – quality, hands on study missions with like-minded people
- Led by Expert Lean Consultants – 13-year track record delivering lean tours
Tour Dates – Book early as places are limited.
Lean Japan Tour - November 2022 - Kaizen Study Mission
6 Nov 2022 - 12 Nov 2022
Lean Japan Tour - December 2022 - Kaizen Study Mission
4 Dec 2022 - 10 Dec 2022
Lean Japan Tour - January 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
22 Jan 2023 - 28 Jan 2023
Lean Japan Tour - March 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
12 Mar 2023 - 18 Mar 2023
Lean Japan Tour - May 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
21 May 2023 - 27 May 2023
Lean Japan Tour - July 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
2 Jul 2023 - 8 Jul 2023
6 Nov 2022 - 12 Nov 2022
Lean Japan Tour - December 2022 - Kaizen Study Mission
4 Dec 2022 - 10 Dec 2022
Lean Japan Tour - January 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
22 Jan 2023 - 28 Jan 2023
Lean Japan Tour - March 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
12 Mar 2023 - 18 Mar 2023
Lean Japan Tour - May 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
21 May 2023 - 27 May 2023
Lean Japan Tour - July 2023 - Kaizen Study Mission
2 Jul 2023 - 8 Jul 2023
Aaron Mato, Melbourne Port Terminal Manager
Emerald Grain
I thought the training was fantastic. It was well presented and organised, and the material was very relevant and can be applied to our organisation. Shinka Management created a comfortable environment where we could ask questions and participate in group discussions.
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Denise Cooper, HR Manager
Calder Stewart
It made all the light bulbs go off in my head. I knew the principles and I knew the theory but now it just all makes sense, now I can apply what I know and make real improvements in my business.
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Peter Reade, Volvo Production System Internal Consultant
Volvo Group
A great training experience with a very wise lean practitioner, simplifying understanding of approaches to lean.
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Roberto Lammerts, Service Manager
Kador Engineering
Engaging Shinka Management was the best thing ever. The training was a great way of getting people on different levels involved on the pathway of improvement. The course was conducted very professionally and in a way that you had to get involved, and it was fun! It was good to see how to prepare and…
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Nick Gagliardi, Engineering Manager TI Australia
TI Automotive
The training course was very valuable to our organisation. Great results were achieved. I am still using the tools for improvements.
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Una Kasparaviča, HR Manager
AE Partners
The training was intense but had great value because the subjects have been explained in such a clear manner opposite to some European experts who know how to turn lean into some NASA scientific miracle from another planet.
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Training – Lean Management Master Classes, Webinars, Japanese Business Etiquette
Lean Training
Shinka Management offers scheduled open-registration training courses and customized training services.
Run both on-site and online, the Lean Leadership Master Class is led by Hyodo Sensei, former factory manager and Director of the Toyota HiAce final assembly plant in Japan. The training covers the lean manufacturing theory and leadership principles.
The Lean Implementation Master Class complements the Lean Leadership Master Class, covering the key practices required to implement lean, and including a range of case studies and practical exercises.
#AskSensei Webinar Series
#AskSensei is a regularly-scheduled online event that provides the lean community with the opportunity to join a discussion with our very own former Toyota Factory Manager, Akinori Hyodo. During these webinars Hyodo Sensei fields questions on all things related to lean and the Toyota Production System.
For each event we choose a different theme related to lean manufacturing and invite Hyodo Sensei to provide opening commentary to kick-start the discussion.
Japanese Business Etiquette
Considering new business relationships with Japan or experiencing challenges with old ones? We deliver training programs and seminars on Japanese Business Etiquette and Doing Business with the Japanese to help bridge the cultural and communication divide with Japan for improved business outcomes.
- Local staff doing business with Japan
- Foreign Japanese subsidiaries and acquisitions
- Local companies considering market entry to Japan
- Working within a Japanese company
Training and Webinar Dates
Japanese Business Etiquette Training | Online | Europe-MENA
23 May 2022 - 24 May 2022
#AskSensei in Spanish – Event 14 | Feature - The 3Mu (Muda-Mura-Muri)
2 Jun 2022
Japanese Business Etiquette Training | Online | Asia-Pacific
22 Jun 2022 - 23 Jun 2022
Japanese Business Etiquette Training | Online | Americas
29 Jun 2022 - 30 Jun 2022
Time and motion study software – OTRS10
Shinka Management provides sales and support for OTRS, a video-based time and motion study software designed to help you analyze and document standard work processes, and achieve productivity improvement within your operations. The software leverages Japanese industrial engineering and lean manufacturing principles to help your company achieve world-class performance.
The latest version, OTRS10, is considered the gold standard in time study software and is trusted by the biggest names in Japanese and global industry.
- Eliminate waste and standardize processes
- Create video-based standard work manuals
- Train staff and transfer technical skills
- Kaizen and process improvement
Our Clients
