Great experience delivered by passionate professionals. The training is well-balanced between real life factory/hospital visits (lean in action), theory (basic concepts, why it makes sense) and exercise (set up your own mini factory line using lean concepts). All of this where it started: Japan. Definitely recommend the tour for any professional looking for ways to improve the efficiency of their operations.
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Regien De Bleecker, Vice PresidentAmazon

Paul, Eri and the Shinka Management team added significant value to our recent business tour in Japan. Well organised custom tour arranged in a short timeframe provided a great learning and cultural experience for our team!
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Adrian Broomhall, Manager Strategic ProjectsSt Joseph Affordable Homes

Paul and Eri from Shinka Management clearly understood the brief and greatly assisted in transforming our industry tour into an enjoyable and exceptional experience immersed in Japanese culture. Without their support we would not have gained the same level of factory access, learnings and knowledge. Well done!
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Stuart Collins, Executive Director TasmaniaHousing Industry Association

Paul Smith and the team at Shinka Management, in particular Eri Dennis, did an incredible job planning and leading our tailored Japan Study Tour in March 2024. Our team of construction and training professionals learnt and more importantly experienced so much about lean management and Japanese construction, manufacturing and factory practices. Without the expertise and knowledge that Paul and Eri brought to our tour we would not have had the exposure and depth of learning that we had. It was an incredible study trip and we are bringing back so many important learnings that we will implement into our modular homes project. Having Paul with us throughout the tour to interpret and lead was invaluable – his understanding of Japanese business practices and culture was critical to the success of our trip. Eri’s connections to factories and businesses in Japan ensured that we were able to get tailored factory and plant tours which enabled us to experience lean management in practice. Our tour had an excellent blend of theory, practice and exposure. We are incredibly grateful to the team at Shinka Management. I can recommend Shinka Management to other organisations who seek to understand and experience lean management practices in Japan.
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Belinda Clarke, Executive ManagerBuild Up Tassie

Wonderful! I truly loved how we got a chance to see multiple tiers of the Toyota supply chain, and learned the true definition of some buzz words related to TPS. Getting a chance to see it all up-close was impactful.
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Abdullah Bin Askar, Project AnalystSaudi Industrial Development Fund

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 learning environment as well.

Paul, your passion for the subject matter was contagious and kept me going throughout. The thorough content and practical exercises enhanced this experience.

A very special thank you to Eri for her exceptional expertise in arranging flawless logistics, as well as her impeccable choices for lunch and dinner. Her tireless dedication to ensuring everyone’s well-being and comfort has been truly extraordinary and inspiring.

I look forward to applying what I have learned from you as well as from all the respectful Senseis. I will highly recommend this course to my peers and colleagues who are seeking an exceptional learning opportunity. Thank you once again.
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Imran Shekhani, COOLiberty Mills

Enriched by an exceptional experience in Japan with Shinka Management, I delved into the nuances of Japanese culture and etiquette while immersing myself in the heart of the Toyota Production System. From theoretical and practical courses to visits to Toyota’s final assembly site and their suppliers, each step shaped my understanding. The impeccable organization, meticulous cleanliness, tangible respect, and genuine passion for job accomplishment deeply impressed me. An experience beyond words, impactful in every aspect.
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Akram Abdennadher, Quality and Continuous Improvement ManagerSOPAL

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 into ensuring the satisfaction of the participants. I return to Tunisia with a wealth of information about the culture and etiquette of Japan, and it has inspired me to delve even deeper into the rich history of this fascinating country.

One of the highlights for me was the discovery of the Toyota Commemorative Museum, the practical training center, and the Gifu Auto Body Toyota HiAce final assembly plant. The visits to Toyota Boshoku Seiko, GI Service, Suzaki Industries, and AVEX were truly enlightening. Many concepts about lean management that I previously misunderstood were clarified, and obtaining information from the source was enriching. I must also commend the selection of hotels, which were not only comfortable but strategically located, providing easy access to explore the surrounding areas. The choice of restaurants and the diverse culinary experiences incorporated into the trip were exceptional.

I am typically hard to impress, but this time was an exception. Thank you for orchestrating such a fantastic tour and I would not hesitate to recommend Shinka Management services to colleagues and friends.
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Hanen Akrout, Performance DirectorSOPAL

During my bachelor’s degree I studied TPS and lean extensively but having the theoretical knowledge is very different to actually seeing it and getting the chance to implement it in the practical center. I have enjoyed my time during the tour and learned a lot about how TPS is actually implemented. The tour was very well planned and organized.
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Mohammed Alsmary, Project AnalystSaudi Industrial Development Fund

Having completed several graduate courses in lean production and management during my MSc in Industrial Engineering, I was no stranger to the principles and theories that underpin this field. However, the opportunity to embark on the Lean Japan Tour with Shinka Management was nothing short of transformative. It strengthened my understanding of lean practices to a level that surpassed the boundaries of traditional education, even at the graduate level.

The tour not only enriched my knowledge with theoretical insights but also provided an opportunity to observe the Toyota Production System (TPS) in action. Witnessing the TPS principles being implemented in real-world scenarios was an eye-opening experience that textbooks and lectures could never replicate.
What truly set this experience apart was the hands-on practical work we engaged in. It wasn’t just about learning theories; it was about rolling up our sleeves and applying those theories in real-world situations. The practical exercises allowed me to gain a profound appreciation for the nuances of lean production that can only be grasped through firsthand involvement.

The Lean Japan Tour was more than just a professional journey; it was a cultural immersion that exceeded my wildest expectations. As someone who has passion about Japanese culture, this tour served as a gateway to a world I had long admired from afar. Interacting with the local community, witnessing their work ethic, and embracing their customs were invaluable experiences that broadened my horizons in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

It’s abundantly clear that Shinka Management’s expertise in organizing such tours comes from years of refined experience. The seamless coordination, insightful guidance, and access to exclusive industry insights are testament to their mastery in this field. As a group, we were simply left in awe, and no words can adequately express how this experience surpassed our loftiest expectations.

The Lean Japan Tour with Shinka Management transcended the realms of education and tourism. It was a transformative journey that elevated my understanding of lean production, enriched my cultural appreciation, and left an indelible mark on my professional and personal growth.
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Redwan Kayal
Redwan Kayal, Founder & Managing DirectorContemporary Foods