Lean Consultants:
Shinka Management is a global company of lean consultants supporting clients in over 70 countries through the transfer of Japanese management know-how. Our lean manufacturing 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.
Contact us for a tailored solution
Speak to our lean consultants about customized support for your team’s lean journey.
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 70 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.
Lean Japan Tours – Immerse Yourself in the Origins of Kaizen
Hanen Akrout, Performance Director
SOPAL
Délégation Sfax Ville, Sfax, Tunisia
Délégation Sfax Ville, Sfax, Tunisia
First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for this unforgettable trip. From the beginning, the level of organization and attention to detail was outstanding. The program was well thought out, providing a perfect balance between plant visits, theoretical training, and practical experiences. It’s evident that a lot of thought and effort went…
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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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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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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.…
read more
Isabelle Chéri, Managing Partner
Quality CHEQ
I want to congratulate the Shinka Management Team for the fantastic organisation of the Lean Japan Tour 2023. The tour has been a business and life-changing experience for sure. On Day 1 I was already enlightened, and all the bits and pieces of a huge TQM puzzle came together to form a clear picture. The tour…
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Amber Ficht, VP – Business Excellence
Edwards Lifesciences
Irvine, California, United States
Irvine, California, United States
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…
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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 – 16-year track record delivering lean tours
In addition to the Lean Japan Tour, Shinka Management runs industry-specific Japan programs, including the Lean Healthcare Tour and Japan Housing Mission.
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Tour Dates – Book early as places are limited.
Lean Japan Tour - September 2025
31 Aug 2025 - 6 Sep 2025
Lean Japan Tour - November 2025
9 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
Lean Japan Tour - March 2026
1 Mar 2026 - 7 Mar 2026
Japan Housing Mission - April 2026
12 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026
Lean Japan Tour - May 2026
24 May 2026 - 30 May 2026
Lean Japan Tour in Spanish - October 2026
18 Oct 2026 - 24 Oct 2026
31 Aug 2025 - 6 Sep 2025
Lean Japan Tour - November 2025
9 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
Lean Japan Tour - March 2026
1 Mar 2026 - 7 Mar 2026
Japan Housing Mission - April 2026
12 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026
Lean Japan Tour - May 2026
24 May 2026 - 30 May 2026
Lean Japan Tour in Spanish - October 2026
18 Oct 2026 - 24 Oct 2026
Aaron Pilkinton, Operations Manager
Dominant
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Participating in the Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour was a transformative experience. The tour offered a rare opportunity to witness world-class lean practices in action at leading Japanese organisations. From visiting Toyota’s manufacturing facilities to learning directly from lean practitioners, every moment was an invaluable learning experience. The insights gained into kaizen, waste reduction, and…
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Joaquín Pablo Buján, Manufacturing Manager
PC Arts
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The March 2025 Lean Japan Tour was an incredible opportunity to experience Japanese culture and kaizen practices firsthand. I would rate my overall satisfaction with this tour as outstanding. Honestly, it is very difficult to identify areas for improvement in the program, as it is executed with such professionalism and extensive experience. The dedication and…
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Blas Poveda Navarrete, Operations Senior Manager
Airbus
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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Imran Shekhani, COO
Liberty Mills
Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi, Pakistan
I wanted to express my appreciation for the incredible Lean Japan Tour experience. I am grateful for the hospitality and support Shinka Management provided. Your guidance on Japanese Business Etiquette was invaluable. I am not aware of any training consultants who pay such meticulous attention to details. Your warm and welcoming approach created an excellent…
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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.…
read more
Isabelle Chéri, Managing Partner
Quality CHEQ
I want to congratulate the Shinka Management Team for the fantastic organisation of the Lean Japan Tour 2023. The tour has been a business and life-changing experience for sure. On Day 1 I was already enlightened, and all the bits and pieces of a huge TQM puzzle came together to form a clear picture. The tour…
read more
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 companies considering market entry to Japan
- Foreign Japanese subsidiaries and acquisitions
- Working within a Japanese company
- Japan trade mission support
Training and Webinar Dates
Lean Japan Tour - September 2025
31 Aug 2025 - 6 Sep 2025
Lean Japan Tour - November 2025
9 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
Lean Japan Tour - March 2026
1 Mar 2026 - 7 Mar 2026
Japan Housing Mission - April 2026
12 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026
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.
OTRS is considered the gold standard in time study software and is trusted by the biggest names in Japanese and global industry. Developed in conjunction with Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, OTRS10 is available for PC, and is complemented by the IOS app Mobile OTRS, and the Fujitsu AI engine-powered OTRS+AI.
- Eliminate waste and standardize processes
- Create video-based standard work manuals
- Train staff and transfer technical skills
- Kaizen and process improvement
Our Clients
