Lean Japan Tour

Amazing experience, exceptional learning. If you want to learn about Lean go on this tour!
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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 sure what you need, then this is the trip for you and your company. You have been warned; “this could lead to some serious self-analysis on how GOOD companies operate!”

Thanks to Ben & Paul for the well organised trip from beginning to end.
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One of the best weeks of my life. It has changed the way I see my production facility forever!
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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 that normally only a local would be able to show you. Thank you for a once in a lifetime trip Shinka – I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone in business.
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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 learning experiences through practical and theory sessions held with Hattori Sensei. We finished off the week with a visit to an impressive Mitsubishi plant that completed the process flow from Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers through to the finished vehicle. The week gave me an opportunity to network with other Airbus colleagues and discuss how we would take the learning home to improve the business. Thanks for making the week memorable.
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I personally believe that an understanding of lean as a holistic concept combined with lean tools is necessary for all managers in any business. Shinka Management introduced us to 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 our one-week training were not only dedicated to learning and Q&A sessions, practical exercises and site visits, but also included deep dives into Japanese culture which was crucial for understanding why lean principles were so widely spread. Thoughtful discussions, forethought and precise agenda, attention to all the small requests and wishes, and open-minded and easygoing Shinka consultants made our time in Japan unforgettable. We gained a lot of confidence that we can implement TPS and lean principles across our company.
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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 David and Paul has helped to demystify what needs to be done to become successful. Also, by including a bit of Japanese culture, it made the week extra memorable. We had full support with everything from hotels, meals, tickets, etc. and this made us all relax, and focus on the learning and reflection of what we have seen.
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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. Paul, Ben, Tony and Juan (tour leaders) did an outstanding Job of guiding us through Japan, and highlighting where TPS is improving society as well as manufacturing. Their subtle lines of questioning and coaching combined with observing TPS in action and the instruction of Japanese Sensei inspired tour participants on how they can effect change.

Every detail from transport to meals and accommodation were professionally managed and executed. Practical learning environments such as the Toyota group training center consolidated class room learning with hands on experimentation which lead to real “ah ha” moments with many tour participants.

This tour was an extremely rewarding and enjoyable learning  experience.  I highly recommend the Lean Study Tour.
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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 and the teachers very, very good. They created the motivation we need to implement and improve our current status in lean and the Airbus Operating System. Thank you, it has been a great experience.
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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 we were going to do when we returned home.

Each plant tour, Q&A and debriefing were all very professional and informative. These taught us so much to help us move forward on our lean journey. Not only were the days very enjoyable but the nights were fantastic and fun. We learned so much about lean as well as experiencing the Japanese culture and the wonderful people.

Since we have been back the four of us have been very quick and extremely effective in rolling out many Kaizen improvements, setting takt times, 5s’ing many areas and much more (fantastic work). I’ve had much time to reflect and think about the tour and our next steps. We’ve written a training manual in 4 modules and have just completed the first module of training through the entire company.

We certainly have a new buzz flowing in and around the company and looking forward to this wonderful journey. Full credit to all of you. This has been the best tour we have ever been a part of and we will be sending more of our team in the future.
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