Client Testimonials

Shinka is offering an outstanding lean tour delivering learning methods in different ways such as site visits at factories, seminars and practical training. Also, as part of the tour, major landmarks are included in the schedule to provide a clear picture about the Japanese culture and history. The tour is well organized and makes the participant experience unforgettable. The Lean Tour is highly recommended.
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A Masterclass in Lean Management and Hospitality

I recently attended the lean management training tour conducted by Shinka Management, and it was, without a doubt, a cut above the rest. Having attended similar trainings in the past, I can confidently say that Paul and his team have set a new standard.

The organization was flawless. Despite the complexity of constantly moving between locations, the transitions were incredibly smooth, and the accommodations provided were top-notch. A special shout-out goes to Paul, Ichi, Juan, and Eri (who worked her magic from the backend) for their dedication.

What truly stood out was the personal touch and genuine care for the participants. Paul went above and beyond to ensure everyone’s individual needs were met, including arranging specific spaces for prayers. His commitment to our learning was equally impressive – he even took the time during lunch to seek me out and answer a question I had raised earlier during the tour, to ensure I fully grasped the concept.

It is hard to put a price tag on this training. The takeaways are invaluable not just for industrial operations but also for service teams. It was a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend Shinka Management to anyone looking to truly upscale their work.
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The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour was a good learning and hands-on experience that provided insights into world-class lean practices. The combination of factory visits, expert-led workshops and cultural immersion offered practical knowledge that can be applied to improve operational excellence. I highly recommend this program to anyone serious about driving continuous improvement and learning from the best in the industry.
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Overall, the programme was a complement for me with regards to continuous improvement initiatives that I can implement for my company. It opens up a variety of actions that I would not have thought of. I will deliberate with my team on a few ideas that I have observed throughout the training programme. All of the factory visits were beneficial to me as I have never been to a Japanese factory previously. They were really fascinating and clean, systematically arranged for each role and work station. Karakuri was my favourite topic because it was fun. I came to appreciate Kaizen, and the feeling that comes with it – one of calming. A very big thank you to all facilitators from Shinka Management for making this training visit a memorable one. I wish to personally thank Ichi, Juan, Paul and also Eri for this wonderful experience. I would also wish to express my gratitude to Kaji Sensei for his invaluable support. Thank you once again and may our paths cross again in the near future.
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I achieved my objective of learning about Japanese work culture and useful practices to increase work efficiency. The program had a good balance of classroom learning and plant visits. The Shinka Management team, Paul, Juan & Ichi were very helpful ensuring each and every one of us were well taken care of. Also not forgeting Kaji Sensei who was very passionate in educating us about TPS. The team at all the plants we visited were very welcoming and eager to share with us on their corporate information and plant operations. Thank You Shinka Management for such an educational experience.
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This past week has been truly eye-opening, seeing how the theories we learned in class come to life through practical application during our visits.

The hosts were outstanding, with even the highest level of management taking time to showcase their work. Their humility, resilience, and commitment to continuous improvement at the highest level were inspiring. The karakuri implementations were absolutely mind-blowing.

I look forward to implementing some of these practices within my company and even in my daily life. A heartfelt thank you to Shinka Management for providing such a remarkable experience.
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The tour was a terrific experience shared with exceptional individuals. I was able to further my knowledge in lean manufacturing and hone my skills. I learned new ways to reduce waste and improve the working environment within industrial projects.
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Great engagement with the team, curated for our needs including delving into a case study of particular relevance.
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The Japanese Business Etiquette course was amazing – I can’t believe it was 6 hours in total, the time flew by! The content was comprehensive, however felt very organic – topics that were of less interest were covered in passing, while topics that we were interested in were discussed in depth without ever feeling rushed to move to the next point. The use of anecdotes, examples and case studies really helped contextualise the content, plus the use of references to other cultures also helped us appreciate some of the nuances of our own way of working. There was a really good balance as well between the Japanese background/culture, and its manifestation/impact on the type of interactions that we could expect in business. Some very practical lessons could also be drawn from the course – e.g. what to think about/practically DO if hosting a Japanese delegation, what to watch out for, how to interpret/not interpret certain behaviours or actions…
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What a journey into lean! A week jam-packed with learning the true essence of lean from a Sensei, then being critiqued on your practical application of the skills. Followed up by site tours of what world class lean manufacturing looks like. Highly Recommended.
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These tours provide direct, hands-on experience with the Toyota Production System (TPS) and other lean principles in action, going beyond theoretical knowledge. Shinka Management are professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about lean, providing excellent organization. If you are wanting to learn more about lean manufacturing or TPS then this is the best place to start, you won’t be disappointed.
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Outstanding lean tour hosted by Shinka Management. When researching lean tours in Japan, I wanted to choose the provider offering the most credible program – rich in technical depth and practical, hands-on learning. I’m happy to say this turned out to be a world-class experience that I highly recommend.

The program combined expert training and factory visits that showcased Toyota Production System principles at the highest level. Training was led by seasoned Toyota practitioners who brought true technical expertise to life. Every detail of the tour was professionally planned and managed, which quickly lifted the burden of logistics and allowed me to focus fully on learning.

Grateful to the Shinka Management team for delivering a world-class experience. Many thanks to Paul Smith, Eri Dennis, and Ichi Yamada for their care and hospitality.
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This was an extremely insightful tour. Very well run by Paul and the team from Shinka Management. Highly recommended.
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The tour was highly professional. The food and hotels were excellent, and the best part was the learning experience. We had hands-on exposure to kanban, and seeing Lean and Kaizen in action during the factory visits was extremely informative. The Q&A sessions provided us with deeper insights into the thinking of each management team we met. I can’t wait to gradually implement these learnings in our company.

Many thanks to the Shinka team – especially Paul, Eri, and Ichi – for taking such good care of us.

Highly recommended! Excellent value for money.
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First of all I would like to offer an absolute gesture of gratitude to the Shinka Management team – Paul, Ichi, Kaji Sensei, and especially Eri who often went out of her way to make sure everything ran smoothly and we had a great time. In my opinion the organization of the whole tour was superb.

As for the learning journey, I came in expecting to receive answers to my questions, but left with a sense of self growth. What I have lived through this week was a realization that I can’t expect to have epiphanies about continuous improvement and the implementation of lean practices. Instead my eyes were opened to see that everyone has the same struggles and it was inspirational.

I leave this experience motivated and with a mind full of challenges, and I thank you guys for that.
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Paul, Eri and Ichi provided a fantastically well curated tour to the birthplace of continuous improvement. Hearing the theory, experiencing practical hands-on learning at the dojo, and then seeing the theory put into practice at a number of world class manufacturing plants was thought provoking, motivating and inspiring. Now the fun starts – putting theory into practice!
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Participating in the Shinka Management lean tour was an absolutely transformative experience. The opportunity to witness lean principles in action across renowned factories and a cutting-edge hospital offered unparalleled insights into operational excellence.

The factory visits were a masterclass in efficiency and continuous improvement. Observing Toyota Production System methodologies firsthand—from Gemba walks to 5S practices – highlighted the power of eliminating waste and empowering frontline teams. The meticulous attention to detail and culture of kaizen were nothing short of inspiring.

Equally impactful was the hospital tour, where lean thinking transcended manufacturing to revolutionize healthcare. Seeing workflows optimized for patient care, error reduction, and staff collaboration demonstrated lean’s universal applicability. It reshaped my perspective on how process excellence can save lives while boosting efficiency.

Beyond the sites, the tour’s cultural immersion – from engaging with Japanese business etiquette to savoring local traditions – enriched the learning journey. Shinka Management’s exceptional organization, knowledgeable leaders, and thoughtful itineraries made every moment invaluable.

This tour isn’t just educational; it’s a catalyst for innovation. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any professional seeking to deepen their lean expertise and ignite transformative change.
This experience will resonate in my work for years to come!
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It’s truly inspiring to witness the active participation of our employees in the PIME 4.0 kaizen suggestion scheme. Their engagement reflects how deeply the culture of continuous improvement is taking root across the organization. The steady increase in submitted suggestions continually challenges us—not only in terms of managing them effectively, but also in ensuring we allocate the necessary resources for their implementation.

Designing a recognition system for implemented ideas has been a particularly rewarding aspect. This system, which tracks the maturity of the EPS, plays a vital role in sustaining motivation, allowing everyone to clearly see the tangible benefits of their contributions. We’ve seen how employees are now integrating the generation of improvement ideas into their daily routines, with the added satisfaction of seeing these ideas put into practice in their own work environments. This sense of ownership brings great pride—both in the value they add and in knowing their voices are heard and their input leads to real change.

Since the program’s inception, our Continuous Improvement Team has grown and evolved significantly, and Shinka Management’s guidance has been instrumental in this journey. We are confident that we’re on the right path and must continue progressing—strengthening our culture of continuous improvement through the development of every person who is part of Escorial.

Read more about the support provide by Shinka Management at Escorial Argentina:
Case Study: Lean Transformation at Escorial
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I attended Shinka Management’s Lean Japan Tour and it was an incredible experience. The content was highly informative and practical, offering deep insights into lean culture and principles and their real-world applications. The organisation of the program was excellent, ensuring a seamless and engaging learning experience. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to improve the lean culture at their organisation.
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