Kikuchi Gear – Factory Tour
Kikuchi Gear is a well-established gear manufacturer based in the city of Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture. The company has 140 employees spread across their head office and six factories. Their products are used in leading-edge industrial products in the aerospace, automotive, construction machinery and printing sectors.
Corporate Information
- Company: Kikuchi Gear Inc.
- Foundation: 1940
- Location: Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture
- Main Business: Manufacturing of gears, gearboxes and gear pumps
Kikuchi Gear – Lean Characteristics
5S, Kaizen Suggestion Scheme
Kikuchi Gear is based in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The city is known as the City of 5S where over 200 factories and workplaces engage in 5S activities on a daily basis. This program is promoted by the Ashikaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Kikuchi Gear is one of the companies actively involved in the city’s 5S program.
The company produces a wide variety of high-quality gear products which are used in leading-edge industrial products in the aerospace, automotive, construction machinery and printing sectors. The quality products they need to produce in line with customer needs are achieved through their flexible production facilities.
Profit is key for any SME’s sustainability, and Kikuchi Gear recognizes that an organization of people with capability in kaizen will form a more resilient and stronger company to generate that profit. The visit to the company showcases Kikuchi Gear’s kaizen suggestion scheme as well as excellent examples of 5S. Kikuchi Gear are continually thinking about the future needs of society and their role within it.
The plant tour includes a presentation, a site tour and a Q&A session with senior managers.
Fort Myers, Florida, United States
This was my first real experience with training tourism and it was a smashing success. Paul, Eri, and Ichi were professional and patient in their approach to dealing with the tour members and competent and knowledgeable on the subject of Lean/Kaizen. My time with them convinced me that this course of action is the right…
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Kaiserslautern, Germany
The Lean Japan Tour was an educational and exciting experience. The Shinka Management team with its impeccable all-round service ensured that the head and heart were free and open the whole time to be able to collect the many impressions. The factory tours, in connection with getting to know the country and culture, have expanded…
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Rolleston, New Zealand
This was an extremely insightful tour. Very well run by Paul and the team from Shinka Management. Highly recommended.
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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I recently had the privilege of attending the Lean Japan Tour organized by Shinka Management, and I can say it was an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the tour was exceptionally well-managed, and I came away with a wealth of new knowledge and insights into lean manufacturing. I want to express my gratitude to…
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Perth, WA, Australia
I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Japan Housing Mission with Shinka Management, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The program was exceptionally well organised, with a clear structure that combined informative seminars, practical site visits, and valuable industry insights. The factory and company tours were a real highlight,…
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Zurich, Switzerland
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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The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour is a professional development program run several times annually. The program includes a mix of lean and kaizen seminars, hands-on lean training and visits to several benchmark lean companies. For further information and program dates, see the lean tour overview page.
Tour Inquiries
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