The Park (Accolade Wines)

The Park, is a multi-award winning (manufacturer of the year for 2019) bottling facility which employs over 500 people and produces 23 million 9L case equivalents of wine each year of which 80% of that volume is for the Accolade Wines Brands. 2021 saw the launch of contract packing with major brands who now have their products serviced by the business. The Park is the only dedicated wine bottling facility in Britain, with the ability to package every format, from 187ml to 75cl in glass bottles and 1.5Ltr to 10Ltr casks. Accolade wines has 51 brands that are sold in over 140 countries, headline brands include Echo Falls and Hardy’s.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean manufacturing and onsite blending … World class warehousing … Sustainability … Innovation … Global supply chains

Visit agenda

09.30  Intro to The Park

10.30 Lean model and world class process

11.30 Sustainable manufacturing

13.00 Site tour featuring 3D printing, onsite blending and robotics

15.00 Q&A and review

15.30 Close

Vale

The Vale Clydach Refinery located near Swansea in South Wales, is one of Europe’s largest nickel refineries, producing high purity nickel pellet and powder products for specialist applications such as high nickel alloys, batteries, nickel plating and automotive components.

They supply over 280 customers in over 30 countries worldwide (Europe, Asia and USA). Their Continuous Improvement (CI) approach has been based around specific tools: Standard Work, 5S, TPM, OEE, QCO and Six Sigma.

Key to their success has been engaging their employees to contribute improvement ideas and participate in their implementation.

The site is justly proud of their environmental record and will share with visitors key initiatives and the results they have achieved.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

World Class Manufacturing … Lean Manufacturing … Engagement & Behaviours … Sustainability & Environment … Shingo Winner

Visit agenda

13.00: Welcome & introductions
13.15: Overview of the Refinery and our CI Journey
14.00: Employee Engagement & Behaviours
14.30: Break
14.45: Sustainability & the Environment
15.15: Facilitated Workshop & Questions
15.45: Reflection & Feedback
16.00: Close & Depart

Milliken

Milliken European Airbag Products (MEAP) is a textile manufacturing site converting man made yarns into specialised fabric for use in the highly competitive automotive Airbag market.  MEAP manufacture fabric from yarns in plain and coated forms for use in the manufacture of vehicle airbag modules. They also secondary process some material into cut component parts tackling the issues and concerns of today.  

MEAP have a strong history of continuous improvement from 1995. Having worked through the discipline of the JIPM TPM process they have then embraced Lean Manufacturing and continue to drive it through their Milliken Performance Systems (MPS) into all aspects of their enterprise.

World Class Manufacturing
______________________

MEAP will show you how they have addressed their manufacturing losses enabling them to drive their Overall Equipment Effectiveness to world class levels and beyond. They will demonstrate examples of both improvements to process technologies and also to associate activity through standard work.

Supply Chain Excellence
___________________

MEAP will showcase how the adoption of Lean thinking has enabled them to implement their unique visual time-phased kanban planning system. They will demonstrate the operational, performance and financial impacts this has achieved.

Continuous Improvement & Engagement
_________________________________

MEAP will showcase how throughout all aspects of the enterprise, including manufacturing and office functions, they continue to improve their effectiveness through the application of lean techniques. They will demonstrate visualised performance tracking, office based standard work, risk management, lean stores implementation all through the engagement of their associates.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

World Class Manufacturing…Standard work…Supply Chain Excellence…Kanban Overall Equipment Effectiveness……Lean Office…Risk Management… Staff Engagement…Continuous Improvement & Engagement

Visit agenda

09:45: Arrival & Refreshments
10:00: Welcome & Introductions
10:30: Milliken & MEAP Story
11:00: World Class Manufacturing, Factory Based
12:00: Lunch & Networking
13:00: Supply Chain Excellence, Factory Based
14:00: Refreshment Break
14:15: Continuous Improvement & Engagement, Factory Based
15:15: Question & Answer Session
16:00: Close & Depart

Double H Nurseries

Double H Nursery grows & supplies flowering houseplants for the major supermarkets such as Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury and Tesco. They have been an accredited Investor in People since 1997 and this reflects their commitment to developing their staff at every level of the business. 

They have been on an ongoing lean journey for over 15 years and have introduced many tools and techniques used in wider manufacturing industries.  They were one of the first companies within their sector to pursue Lean and Best Practice and it has become a way of life within the organization. 

Their focus has been to change the thought process from “we work with dirt, so it will be dirty”, to a culture of continuous and sustained improvement, and a sense of pride in the workplace.

Lean Manufacturing
_______________

We are in the process of Lean Transformation within the horticultural industry. Changing the thought process from – we work with dirt, so it will be dirty, to a culture of continuous and sustained improvement, and a sense of pride in the workplace

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean Manufacturing … 5S … Kanban … Kaizen … TPM … Visual Management … Skills matrix … Six monthly lean audit … Suggestion board/scheme … Investors in People … Waste reduction … Quality … Environmental impacts … Horticultural industry best practice

Visit agenda

10.00 Arrival & Refreshments
10.30 Welcome & Introductions
10.45 Double H Lean Story
11.45 Site Walk
13.00 Lunch and Networking
13.45 Question and Answers
15.00 Close & Depart

Heimbach

Heimbach is a global supplier of products for the Paper Industry. With a legacy dating back to 1811, the company now employs 1400 people across the world. The site in Manchester is part of the forming fabrics division, supplying high-value quality-driven fabrics for use in paper manufacture. The Manchester site employs 95 people and is a centre for product development and manufacture.

Lean & Continuous Improvement
__________________________

Heimbach can be defined as a make-to-order and versatile manufacturing company. There are eight weaving looms that are up to 14.6 metres wide. Each fabric made is a bespoke endless belt and filter medium which is suited to the particular paper machine it clothes.

Heimbach will share with visitors the tools and techniques that they have introduced to:

– Improve employee engagement
– Improve Quality, Delivery and Reliability
– Control quality costs
– Improve productivity
– Drive continuous improvement throughout the organisation
– Train & Develop employees

Each of these activities has been introduced whilst maintaining a focus on customer needs and demands. Their aim is to deliver right first time, consistently and every time.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean Manufacturing…Continous Improvement…Culture…Employee Engagement…Visual Management…Right First Time…Rapid Changeovers…Quality…Staff Training…Productivity Improvements …Five S…Kanban…Visual Management

Visit agenda

09.30  Arrival & Welcome

10.00 Overview of Heimbach

10.30 Heimbach’s Lean & CI Journey

11.30 Gemba (Site Tour)

12.30 Lunch

13.00 CI Projects at Heimbach

13.30 Employee Engagement & Training

14.00 Question & Answer Session

15.00 Close & Depart

BAE Systems

BAE Systems in Rochester, Kent is home to the organisations Electronic Systems Division. This site has been designing, manufacturing and supporting aerospace and avionics products for more than 70 years. Electronic Systems spans the commercial and defence electronics markets with a broad portfolio of missioncritical electronic systems, including flight and engine controls, electronic warfare and night vision systems; surveillance and reconnaissance sensors; secure networked communications equipment, and power and energy management systems. Their customers include the US and UK Defence Forces as well as an increasingly broad spectrum of commercial clients both in the UK and around the world.

Lean Manufacturing
__________________

BAE’s lean transformation has embraced many of the lean six sigma concepts, tools and behaviours. On the visit they will share with visitors their journey which has enabled them to transform how they operate, reduce costs and waste.

Design for Manufacture (DFM) Prototyping & 3D Printing
_________________________________________________

DFM and the use of 3D printing has allowed BAE Systems to reduce their New Product Development time down by 50%. This visit will provide an overview of the DFM process and also their approach to prototyping and 3D printing.

Culture of Change, BIT and the Shingo Journey
_________________________________________

Just over five years ago, the site recognise that for it to survive it needed to change its employees mindsets. This led to a focus on the culture and a commitment to innovation and best practice which has culminated in the application for the Shingo Prize — The Shingo Prize is generally accepted as the world’s leading award for Operational Excellence.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean tools & techniques…World class manufacturing…DFM Prototyping…Supply chain management and integration…Company culture…3D Printing

Visit agenda

08.30  Arrival & Security

09.00 Welcome Refreshments

09.30 Facility Tour & SImulation

11.30 DFx & Innovation

12.15 Networking Lunch

13.00 DFx/ Prototyping & 3D Printing

13.45 Sustaining Lean/One Big Thing

14.45 Interactive workshop

15.30 Feedback

16.00 Close

Princes Foods

Princes Foods is one of the world’s leading suppliers of food and drink products. With a diverse portfolio of products including many household names, the company supplies to major supermarkets across the world. Owned by the Mitsubishi Group since 1989 the company continues to grow both organically and through acquisition. Princes Food brands include: Napolina, Flora, Batchelors, Branston, Aqua Pura, Crosse & Blackwell, Cookeen and Shippams. It’s own branded products are well established household names across the world. They are committed to producing quality branded and customer own brand products that deliver innovation and convenience to meet changing consumer needs.

Lean and continuous improvement has been applied across the sites to help them deliver improved value for their customers. On the visit you will see excellent visual management, workplace organisation and how they have used lean tools to drive cost reduction and process improvements. You will also see how Princes have achieved excellent levels of engagement through training and communication to support their CI activities.

Visits to Princes take place across three different sites:

Belvedere Site – Edible Oils
The site at Belvedere is where Princes blends and bottles their customers own-brand products. These products include olive oils, balsamic vinegar and speciality oils. The products are processed and bottled in glass bottles, PET bottles, bulk containers and tins.

Eden Valley Site – Mineral Water
Set in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside, the Eden Valley site draws natural mineral water from what is believed to be one of Europe’s largest aquifers.
The purity of our accredited natural mineral water sources is protected because the site is set in an EU Special Area of Conservation. As well as producing our Aqua Pura natural mineral water, Eden Valley produces a wide range of customer own brand water in several bottle sizes, multipacks and display units.

Bradford Site – Soft Drinks
The site is a leading producer of customer own-brand carbonated soft drinks, offering a large variety of flavours and pack formats. From here they we also produce branded products including the Barracloughs range of traditional carbonates and Geebee fruit carbonates. Bradford is a centre of excellence for fruit squash, manufacturing products for our Jucee, Geebee and Wells brands. The site also supplies an extensive range of small bottle juice drinks and sports drink products.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Six Sigma…Lean Manufacturing…Visual Management…Quality…Employee Engagement…Just in Time…People & Engagement…Kanban…Process Improvement

Visit agenda

9.30  Arrival & Welcome

09.45 Overview of Princes & Edible Oils

10.15 Engaging people​​

10.40 Refreshment Break

10.50 Site Tour/Taste Panel​​

13.00 Lunch & Networking

13.40 Continuous Improvement & Lean​​

14.00 Review & Feedback

14.30 Close

Happy – Virtual Workshop

HAPPY is a multi-award-winning company that was voted 2nd best workplace in the UK in the Financial Times. A training company based in Aldgate, central London, Happy employs just 46 people but has won widespread recognition for its unique approach.

The core principle at Happy is that people work best when they feel good about themselves. The main purpose of the company management is to create a framework where people do indeed feel good about themselves. The result is a people-focused business that has won a plethora of prestigious awards (see below). The business benefits of this approach are clear, and the company has a waiting list of over 2000 people for the next job vacancy!

Creating a great place to work
________________________

What makes a great place to work? Involving visitors, Happy will reveal key principles and specific steps to take to make your workplace one that people will really want to work in. Recognise how to create a blame-free environment and identify the key principle for management focus.

Great customer service
__________________

The first principle of great customer service is: Treat your customers as you would want to be treated. The visit will involve the audience in bringing together great and poor customer service experiences and lead to practical steps you can take. You will recognise what differentiates great service from normal service and identify key steps to help your organisation to improve.

Establishing a trust-based culture
_________________

Discover ways to develop the social effect of your organisations work on employees and the wider community.

How the virtual course works

  • You will be engaging with Nicky (One Happy’s Facilitators and Leaders) and each other throughout and, we want to see and hear you, so please be prepared to share video and audio.
  • Join us from your own internet-connected device, preferably a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet. One person, one device
  • Join us from a quiet place, which is not shared with other participants on the session.
  • You do not need any specialist software or to have used Zoom before. The link above is all you need.  If it’s your first time, there’s a widget to download to your device at the start so allow a few minutes for this.
  • Video – have your webcam on, we want to connect with you (Please don’t worry about how you look or the state of your background, we are all working with what is possible right now rather than what might be perfect!)
  • Audio –For the best sound use a headset with microphone and a USB connection but your mobile phone headphones plugged into your device audio work really well too.  If you don’t have either of these them you can use the sound on your device but you will need to be somewhere quiet!
  • Notetaking – have a pen and paper handy so you can take notes.
  • Please don’t plan any other remote meetings in between the two session, it can be intense being online and we’d love you to be fresh for this learning and to get the most from it.

Visit agenda

Unit One 10am – 12:00am via Zoom:
  • Creating joy at work through empowerment
  • Ownership and transparency
  • How we aim to deliver customer delight (and measure it)

Unit Two  – (Self guided activity)

  • You will be provided with background information and exercises to do and videos of our Chief Happiness Officer explaining the ethos of the company. Done in your own time

Unit Three  1:30pm – 3pm via Zoom

  • Recruitment and selection
  • Snapshots and peer review (what we do instead of appraisals)
  • Creating joy in life as well as work.

Happy – Virtual Workshop

HAPPY is a multi-award-winning company that was voted 2nd best workplace in the UK in the Financial Times. A training company based in Aldgate, central London, Happy employs just 46 people but has won widespread recognition for its unique approach.

The core principle at Happy is that people work best when they feel good about themselves. The main purpose of the company management is to create a framework where people do indeed feel good about themselves. The result is a people-focused business that has won a plethora of prestigious awards (see below). The business benefits of this approach are clear, and the company has a waiting list of over 2000 people for the next job vacancy!

Creating a great place to work
________________________

What makes a great place to work? Involving visitors, Happy will reveal key principles and specific steps to take to make your workplace one that people will really want to work in. Recognise how to create a blame-free environment and identify the key principle for management focus.

Great customer service
__________________

The first principle of great customer service is: Treat your customers as you would want to be treated. The visit will involve the audience in bringing together great and poor customer service experiences and lead to practical steps you can take. You will recognise what differentiates great service from normal service and identify key steps to help your organisation to improve.

Establishing a trust-based culture

_________________

Discover ways to develop the social effect of your organisations work on employees and the wider community.

How the virtual course works

  • You will be engaging with Nicky (One Happy’s Facilitators and Leaders) and each other throughout and, we want to see and hear you, so please be prepared to share video and audio.
  • Join us from your own internet-connected device, preferably a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet. One person, one device
  • Join us from a quiet place, which is not shared with other participants on the session.
  • You do not need any specialist software or to have used Zoom before. The link above is all you need.  If it’s your first time, there’s a widget to download to your device at the start so allow a few minutes for this.
  • Video – have your webcam on, we want to connect with you (Please don’t worry about how you look or the state of your background, we are all working with what is possible right now rather than what might be perfect!)
  • Audio –For the best sound use a headset with microphone and a USB connection but your mobile phone headphones plugged into your device audio work really well too.  If you don’t have either of these them you can use the sound on your device but you will need to be somewhere quiet!
  • Notetaking – have a pen and paper handy so you can take notes.
  • Please don’t plan any other remote meetings in between the two session, it can be intense being online and we’d love you to be fresh for this learning and to get the most from it.

Visit agenda

Unit One 10am – 12:00am via Zoom:
  • Creating joy at work through empowerment
  • Ownership and transparency
  • How we aim to deliver customer delight (and measure it)

Unit Two  – (Self guided activity)

  • You will be provided with background information and exercises to do and videos of our Chief Happiness Officer explaining the ethos of the company. Done in your own time

Unit Three  1:30pm – 3pm via Zoom

  • Recruitment and selection
  • Snapshots and peer review (what we do instead of appraisals)
  • Creating joy in life as well as work.

Happy – Virtual Workshop

HAPPY is a multi-award-winning company that was voted 2nd best workplace in the UK in the Financial Times. A training company based in Aldgate, central London, Happy employs just 46 people but has won widespread recognition for its unique approach.

The core principle at Happy is that people work best when they feel good about themselves. The main purpose of the company management is to create a framework where people do indeed feel good about themselves. The result is a people-focused business that has won a plethora of prestigious awards (see below). The business benefits of this approach are clear, and the company has a waiting list of over 2000 people for the next job vacancy!

Creating a great place to work
________________________

What makes a great place to work? Involving visitors, Happy will reveal key principles and specific steps to take to make your workplace one that people will really want to work in. Recognise how to create a blame-free environment and identify the key principle for management focus.

Great customer service
__________________

The first principle of great customer service is: Treat your customers as you would want to be treated. The visit will involve the audience in bringing together great and poor customer service experiences and lead to practical steps you can take. You will recognise what differentiates great service from normal service and identify key steps to help your organisation to improve.

Establishing a trust-based culture

_________________

Discover ways to develop the social effect of your organisations work on employees and the wider community.

How the virtual course works

  • You will be engaging with Nicky (One Happy’s Facilitators and Leaders) and each other throughout and, we want to see and hear you, so please be prepared to share video and audio.
  • Join us from your own internet-connected device, preferably a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet. One person, one device
  • Join us from a quiet place, which is not shared with other participants on the session.
  • You do not need any specialist software or to have used Zoom before. The link above is all you need.  If it’s your first time, there’s a widget to download to your device at the start so allow a few minutes for this.
  • Video – have your webcam on, we want to connect with you (Please don’t worry about how you look or the state of your background, we are all working with what is possible right now rather than what might be perfect!)
  • Audio –For the best sound use a headset with microphone and a USB connection but your mobile phone headphones plugged into your device audio work really well too.  If you don’t have either of these them you can use the sound on your device but you will need to be somewhere quiet!
  • Notetaking – have a pen and paper handy so you can take notes.
  • Please don’t plan any other remote meetings in between the two session, it can be intense being online and we’d love you to be fresh for this learning and to get the most from it.

Visit agenda

Unit One 10am – 12:00am via Zoom:
  • Creating joy at work through empowerment
  • Ownership and transparency
  • How we aim to deliver customer delight (and measure it)

Unit Two  – (Self guided activity)

  • You will be provided with background information and exercises to do and videos of our Chief Happiness Officer explaining the ethos of the company. Done in your own time

Unit Three  1:30pm – 3pm via Zoom

  • Recruitment and selection
  • Snapshots and peer review (what we do instead of appraisals)
  • Creating joy in life as well as work.

Altro Floors

Altro have been at the forefront of innovation for over 100 years. They invented safety flooring, the world’s first adhesive-free safety floor and also introduced a complete hygienic walls system. Established in 1919, Altro have grown into a global company with over 900 employees. Working closely with architects, end customers, engineers, designers and contractors around the world, Altro’s insight and expertise help them transform everyday spaces into environments that can improve the wellbeing of everyone that uses them.

Customer Service Excellence
Altro’s ‘Voice of the Customer’ programme which has been running since 2008, acts as a conduit for highlighting global customer ‘insights’ from all aspects of the supply chain and these are shared right across the company. These insights are gathered from day to day customer interaction and also from the numerous visits to Altro’s manufacturing facilities by their customers from all over the world. Such feedback, not only allows realistic improvements to be made to product and service offerings, but it also enhances relationships with customers  whilst integrating them into the business and into the decision making process.

Innovation and R&D
Altro has always been an innovative company, inventing both Safety Flooring and Wall Cladding.  To ensure they continue to develop product ranges in a consistent and structured manner, they have a detailed development plan covering the next five years and a long term development plan stretching beyond this.  Many of these projects are driven by customer requirements highlighted through their ‘Voice of the Customer’ programme and through advanced interview and observation techniques.  Other  projects are driven largely by a desire to continuously improve the Sustainability of the business and the need to respond to changing legislation in their global markets. Altro works in partnership  with a number of stakeholders on these developments.  These include suppliers and industry partners and a range of University and Research organisations enabling access to the most recent developments.  At various stages of the process, they involve customers, seeking their  feedback on the direction of their current projects.

Lean Manufacturing
Lean tools and techniques have enabled Altro to reduce costs and improve productivity. Visual management and workplace organisation are all excellent. On the site tour you will see first hand how these tools and techniques have been used.

Creating a Great Place to Work
We are proud of our family culture – our promotion of family values, flexible working, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing ensure that its employees regard Altro as a great place to work. On the visit, you will hear how we have developed and maintained this enviable work culture and learn more about our extensive employee wellbeing programme.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean Manufacturing…Customer Service…Flexible working…Sustainability…Innovation…Research & Development…Manufacturing Excellence Award Winner

Visit agenda

09.30 Arrival

10.00 Welcome & Introductions
10.15 Overview of Altro Floors
10.30 Customer Service Excellence
Lean Manufacturing
Innovation and R&D
12.00 Lunch
12.30 Site Tour Altro & Autoglym
13.30 Creating a great place to work
Culture
14.30 Review & Questions
15.00 Close & Depart

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: TBC
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

Lean Management System – LEVEL 1 – Japan Study Tour

22– 30 October 2022

Join the leading Lean Training Programme in Japan this October for an experience of a lifetime.

We are proud to offer you this unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge and experience studying with Toyota gurus for one whole week in Japan.

The Lean Management System study tour covers a comprehensive view of Lean leadership and the Lean Production System. The tour provides you with an opportunity to study in Toyota’s own training centre with direct access to Toyota trainers and Toyota  production facilities.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to boost your leadership and management skills by learning from the very best in the world. You will also obtain your Certificate directly from Toyota. We have created a study week that combines intense learning with both fun and cultural immersion!

Understand Why and How to use LEAN

This Study Tour will provide you with a deep understanding of how to make the best use of Lean. This is a unique opportunity to visit Japan, Toyota, and some of their suppliers to train in Lean through seminars, Gemba visits, and participating in practical training at Toyota’s own training facility. The objective is to dig deep into the WHAT, WHY and HOW of Lean Thinking. What are the elements needed to run a successful Lean system? Why is it so popular in current thinking and How can it influence your own organization and support growth.

By understanding  the whole lean management system you will get an insight into what these leading Japanese companies are doing to compete in today’s fast changing environment.

You will learn to identify the tools and elements of Lean Methodology that can be applied to your own business to support profitable growth. The week in Japan will also provide an insight into Japanese culture and values.

Study Tour Package Includes:

  • Workshops and seminars
  • Study visits
  • Hotel Accommodation for the entire duration of the study visit
  • Local transfers in Japan
  • Full board Sunday – Friday
  • Farewell dinner

Costs & To Book

  •  £6,500 plus VAT, due to new covid restrictions we can advise on flights but not book on your behalf, pricing has been adjusted accordingly.
  • Onsite Host Companies: 10% Discount on all Bookings
  • Group Discount: 10% Discount on 4 or more places

Need Help or Advice?

For full terms and conditions and for details of our Company Insurance Policy please do contact us.

Any questions  regarding the training, the travel to or within Japan – please do give us a call on +44 (0) 23 9246 8978.

The study tour is being delivered by SA Partners LLP and Onsite Insights in partnership with C2U Group.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean Manufacturing … Company culture … Kanban … Kaizen … 5S … TPM … Visual Management … Managing full product lifecycle … Value stream mapping … Quality Problem Sheet … Five Whys? … Process flow … Environmental Management … Training & Development … Quality Control … Investor in People

Visit agenda

The training week will provide an invaluable insight into lean thinking. You will see it in action at Toyota and other leading-edge companies, where it originated and has matured over the last 100 years.

Learn the original thinking directly from former senior executives at Gifu Autobody, a Toyota-owned minivan manufacturer.  The Japanese sensei’s

(guru’s) will only teach based on real experience.

Time will be divided between the classroom, Gemba and practical workshops. The tour starts in the Nagoya region and ends in Tokyo, going from countryside to one of the largest cities in the world.

Day 1
Departure Europe

We depart from Europe and fly to Nagoya, Japan.

Day 2
Arrival and Tour Opening

Pick up/arrival in Nagoya and since it is a Sunday, we will take the opportunity to recover from jet lag and relax after the long flight by visiting the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology where we also will have lunch. In the museum we can follow the Japanese industrial history from looms to robotics. After the visit we take the bus to travel to the destination of
the day, Kakamigahara, where we will stay until Friday. The day ends
with a common dinner and introduction of the week.

Day 3
Classroom Training

The first day of training introduces the Production System by our host for the week. A Japanese senior manager will lead us through Toyota Production System from a manager perspective. From values, mindset to specific tools and methods. This session will prepare the group in what we can expect from the study visits, from the practice and from the following sessions. Your overall
picture of the production system will be confirmed or completed. In the afternoon we go for a first study visit, guided by our sensei. Q&A.
Group dinner will follow.

Day 4
Plant Tour and more Training

Next day, we continue to dig deeper into aspects of the production system and the Toyota way of managing and leading. How are all the puzzle pieces connected? How is Kaizen work organized and performed? Etc. After lunch, we go for another study visit and if time allows, we will also end with a visit to a traditional knife maker. Group dinner will follow.

Day 5
Training

The fifth day we spend in the Training Center where Toyota train their own people. We will increase our knowledge of Kanban when the group take part in a Kanban Role Play and we will train in how to perform a productivity improvement task following the Toyota methods. Group dinner will follow.

Day 6
Study Visit and further Training

The sixth day will start with a study visit before spending the rest of the day with a final Q&A and concluding the learnings for the week. Presentation by all participants. Followed by our group dinner.

Day 7
Conclusion

The last day ends with a study visit. We do final reflections before we board the bullet train that will take us to Tokyo. Free evening in Tokyo.

Day 8
Sightseeing Day in Tokyo

You will end the tour with a Free day in Tokyo where we will support you with travel advice and sightseeing recommendations. This will be followed up by a team farewell dinner.

Day 9
Departure from Tokyo

Japan Study Tour 2022

7– 15 May 2022

Join the leading Lean Training Programme in Japan this May for an experience of a lifetime.

We are proud to offer you this unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge and experience studying with Toyota gurus for one whole week in Japan.

The Lean Management System study tour covers a comprehensive view of Lean leadership and the Lean Production System. The tour provides you with an opportunity to study in Toyota’s own training centre with direct access to Toyota trainers and Toyota  production facilities.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to boost your leadership and management skills by learning from the very best in the world. You will also obtain your Certificate directly from Toyota. We have created a study week that combines intense learning with both fun and cultural immersion!

Understand Why and How to use LEAN

This Study Tour will provide you with a deep understanding of how to make the best use of Lean. This is a unique opportunity to visit Japan, Toyota, and some of their suppliers to train in Lean through seminars, Gemba visits, and participating in practical training at Toyota’s own training facility. The objective is to dig deep into the WHAT, WHY and HOW of Lean Thinking. What are the elements needed to run a successful Lean system? Why is it so popular in current thinking and How can it influence your own organization and support growth.

By understanding  the whole lean management system you will get an insight into what these leading Japanese companies are doing to compete in today’s fast changing environment.

You will learn to identify the tools and elements of Lean Methodology that can be applied to your own business to support profitable growth. The week in Japan will also provide an insight into Japanese culture and values.

Study Tour Package Includes:

  • Workshops and seminars
  • Study visits
  • Hotel Accommodation for the entire duration of the study visit
  • Local transfers in Japan
  • Full board Sunday – Friday
  • Farewell dinner

Costs & To Book

  •  £6,500 plus VAT, due to new covid restrictions we can advise on flights but not book on your behalf, pricing has been adjusted accordingly.
  • Onsite Host Companies: 10% Discount on all Bookings
  • Group Discount: 10% Discount on 4 or more places

Need Help or Advice?

For full terms and conditions and for details of our Company Insurance Policy please do contact us.

Any questions  regarding the training, the travel to or within Japan – please do give us a call on +44 (0) 23 9246 8978.

The study tour is being delivered by SA Partners LLP and Onsite Insights in partnership with C2U Japan.

Visit in 60 seconds / Awards

Lean Manufacturing … Company culture … Kanban … Kaizen … 5S … TPM … Visual Management … Managing full product lifecycle … Value stream mapping … Quality Problem Sheet … Five Whys? … Process flow … Environmental Management … Training & Development … Quality Control … Investor in People

Visit agenda

The training week will provide an invaluable insight into lean thinking. You will see it in action at Toyota and other leading-edge companies, where it originated and has matured over the last 100 years.

Learn the original thinking directly from former senior executives at Gifu Autobody, a Toyota-owned minivan manufacturer.  The Japanese sensei’s

(guru’s) will only teach based on real experience.

Time will be divided between the classroom, Gemba and practical workshops. The tour starts in the Nagoya region and ends in Tokyo, going from countryside to one of the largest cities in the world.

Day 1
Departure Europe

We depart from Europe and fly to Nagoya, Japan.

Day 2
Arrival and Tour Opening

Pick up/arrival in Nagoya and since it is a Sunday, we will take the opportunity to recover from jet lag and relax after the long flight by visiting the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology where we also will have lunch. In the museum we can follow the Japanese industrial history from looms to robotics. After the visit we take the bus to travel to the destination of
the day, Kakamigahara, where we will stay until Friday. The day ends
with a common dinner and introduction of the week.

Day 3
Classroom Training

The first day of training introduces the Production System by our host for the week. A Japanese senior manager will lead us through Toyota Production System from a manager perspective. From values, mindset to specific tools and methods. This session will prepare the group in what we can expect from the study visits, from the practice and from the following sessions. Your overall
picture of the production system will be confirmed or completed. In the afternoon we go for a first study visit, guided by our sensei. Q&A.
Group dinner will follow.

Day 4
Plant Tour and more Training

Next day, we continue to dig deeper into aspects of the production system and the Toyota way of managing and leading. How are all the puzzle pieces connected? How is Kaizen work organized and performed? Etc. After lunch, we go for another study visit and if time allows, we will also end with a visit to a traditional knife maker. Group dinner will follow.

Day 5
Training

The fifth day we spend in the Training Center where Toyota train their own people. We will increase our knowledge of Kanban when the group take part in a Kanban Role Play and we will train in how to perform a productivity improvement task following the Toyota methods. Group dinner will follow.

Day 6
Study Visit and further Training

The sixth day will start with a study visit before spending the rest of the day with a final Q&A and concluding the learnings for the week. Presentation by all participants. Followed by our group dinner.

Day 7
Conclusion

The last day ends with a study visit. We do final reflections before we board the bullet train that will take us to Tokyo. Free evening in Tokyo.

Day 8
Sightseeing Day in Tokyo

You will end the tour with a Free day in Tokyo where we will support you with travel advice and sightseeing recommendations. This will be followed up by a team farewell dinner.

Day 9
Departure from Tokyo

Lean Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Lean Forum exists to encourage the sharing of ideas on Best Practice, Continuous Improvement and lean through networking, visits and workshops.  We have groups in the Solent, Humber, West Midlands and South Wales but in this virtual world we are extending invites to companies across the UK & Ireland.

Our virtual meet-up on the 11 May will be member-led, covering Problem Solving & Engaging Teams in Lean and Continuous Improvement.

  • Lacey Garner, IRI Worldwide
  • Simon Leonard, LGC

The meeting will be delivered via Zoom.

Lean Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Lean Forum exists to encourage the sharing of ideas on Best Practice, Continuous Improvement and lean through networking, visits and workshops.  We have groups in the Solent, Humber, West Midlands and South Wales but in this virtual world we are extending invites to companies across the UK & Ireland.

Our virtual meet-up on the 9 March 2022 will be member-led, covering Problem Solving & Engaging Teams in Lean and Continuous Improvement.

  • Mark Buckland – 3m
  • Iain Summers – Estee Lauder

The meeting will be delivered via Zoom.

Lean Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Lean Forum exists to encourage the sharing of ideas on Best Practice, Continuous Improvement and lean through networking, visits and workshops.  We have groups in the Solent, Humber, West Midlands and South Wales but in this virtual world we are extending invites to companies across the UK & Ireland.

Our virtual meet-up on the 12 May 2021, will focus on how coaching can be used in Employee Engagement and we are pleased to announce that we have a guest speakers joining from our Lean Forum network:

  • Jeremy Keeley, of The Keeley Carlisle Partnership Ltd who has been facilitating and coaching with particular expertise in leadership development, leading collaborative change and team-building.

The meeting will be delivered via Zoom.

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Marianela Alfaro, Business Excellence Leader, Hologic Costa Rica – SHINGO Prize Award Winning Site 2022

Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Seani Devlin, Operational Excellence Manager , Abbvie
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Seani Devlin, Operational Excellence Manager , Abbvie
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Seani Devlin, Operational Excellence Manager , Abbvie
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Seani Devlin, Operational Excellence Manager , Abbvie
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Seani Devlin, Operational Excellence Manager , Abbvie
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator

SHINGO Forum Virtual Meet-Up

The Shingo Forum exists to encouraging the sharing of ideas and inspiration between organizations. This virtual networking group meets monthly and includes a guest speaker; interactive workshop and expert facilitation.

There is no cost to join, but to participate you need to have an interest in Continuous Improvement and Enterprise Excellence. If you are interested in registering for the Forum please do email info@shingoforum.org

Join Now

This monthly virtual forum will provide you with a chance to hear from Shingo Facilitators, Examiners and Award-Winners.

  • Benchmarking
  • Sharing ideas & Inspiration
  • Networking (in a fun way – no selling!)
  • Discounts to Best Practice Visits
  • Access to Webinar Recordings & Resources

Guest Speaker: Seani Devlin, Operational Excellence Manager , Abbvie
Hosted By: John Quirke – Shingo Facilitator