Mitsubishi Motors Corporation – Factory Tour
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Tokyo. The company is part of the Mitsubishi Group, a major Japanese conglomerate including multinational companies in various industries. The company was originally established from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1970. Since 2016, Mitsubishi Motors has been one-third owned by the Nissan Motor Company.
Corporate Information
- Company: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
- Foundation: 1970
- Location: Headquartered in Tokyo
- Main Business: Automotive manufacturing
Mitsubishi Motors – Lean Characteristics
Mixed Flow Production, Visual Management
The Mitsubishi Motors Okazaki Plant was established in 1977. The plant is regarded as the company’s main factory and it also functions as the “mother factory” that develops new technologies and transfers them to their overseas factories. The land area of the plant covers around one million square meters and includes its own test track and R&D center.
The plant visit provides a unique experience to see the four key processes for manufacturing cars. On the tour you will see the stamping, welding, paint and final assembly shops. The opportunity to see the paint shop in an automotive factory is a rare privilege.
The main models manufactured in the Okazaki Plant are the RVR, the Outlander and the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and more than 90 percent of the cars produced in the plant are exported to overseas markets.
In the final assembly shop, the different vehicle models are produced in a mixed flow production manner. The final assembly shop features a kitting area (similar to that associated with the Set Parts System in Toyota) designed to free up space around the assembly line, increase labor efficiency and improve manufacturing quality. The shop floor visit also highlights effective use of automated guided vehicles (AGV) as well as visual management system and tools.
This trip really enlightened me in some specific lean topics and showed me all the beneficial aspects of lean manufacturing. The biggest take away for me was a deeper appreciation of not just the tools but the philosophy. The way the trip was organised and flowed was amazing. Thanks to Paul and David from Shinka…
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The whole experience of the lean tour was excellent. I learned so much over the past week and all of my previous knowledge of lean was reinforced. Not only did I learn about lean management but I was also impressed with the Japanese culture. The whole team at Shinka Management were very helpful and made…
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The Shinka lean study mission of Japan offers participants an opportunity to see what is possible in undertaking world class manufacturing. The insights that are possible on tours like this can really challenge what you think are the real key success factors for implementation and enhance the chance of success in your own journey.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn the Toyota Production System from the source. I look forward to implementing the many findings in our plant. This experience has given me a different approach to improving our plant’s lean journey. Thank you again for everything.
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Amazing Tour. Great experience to see and share with Japanese managers. I learned a lot about their culture, their way to think, to work and to improve by themselves. Great moments during training and after work. Thanks a lot. We will return back home with a new eye and mindset.
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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…
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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
Interested in joining us in Japan? For additional information prior to registration please fill in the form provided or contact us.