Lean Journey to Japan Spotlights Future of Manufacturing
American Manufacturers turn to island nation of Japan for answers to quality, efficiency, and morale.
Bellingham, WA, July 30, 2008 --(PR.com)-- As more American companies begin to look to Lean Manufacturing for answers in remaining globally competitive, their focus inevitably falls on the island nation of Japan. The birthplace of the Toyota Production System (TPS), Japanese quality and efficiency have assumed near mythical status among other developed nations. As one of Detroit's Big Three prepares to sell off up to $7 billion in assets in order to generate $10 billion in “cash improvements” for 2009, Toyota remains profitable, despite soaring energy costs, because of their philosophy of “continuous improvements.”
The popularity of “study missions” to Japan has risen steadily since the late 1980’s, when America first began “importing” Lean practices from Toyota. Companies began to learn that even though they have applied all the tools of TPS, they were still hemorrhaging money through the cracks in their system, and decided to go to the source to seek answers. One such company providing tours is Enna, a developer and manufacturer of action-oriented workshop training packages designed to let companies lead Lean initiatives from the inside.
Collin McLoughlin, the president of Enna, and veteran of many study missions to Japan, said that trips such as these, “really cement what Lean is supposed to be.” By arranging behind-the-scene tours with exclusive access to management executives from companies such as Toyota, Panasonic, and Nissan, participants gain leverage by learning of the successful implementation techniques of Lean at world-class level companies. “What really drives learning home is the everyday Q & A sessions we arrange with the executives and managers of these companies,” McLoughlin said. “They are very gracious and eager to share their knowledge with us.”
In addition to touring manufacturing facilities, Enna’s study missions feature keynote speakers and industry notables. For their next study mission in October of 2008, Enna will feature workshops by the “Godfather of Lean” Norman Bodek and international business professor Dr. Michel Mestre. Mr. Bodek was the first to introduce the teachings of Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo, the architects of the Toyota Production System, to American industry. This will be his 70th study mission to Japan.
In the past, cultural differences have discouraged many Lean companies from travelling to Japan. Companies such as Enna provide a professional staff of tour guides, translators, and professors that negate the difficulties associated with studying abroad. Philip Goritsas, vice-president of Enna, also sees this as the opportunity to dispel cultural rumors of Lean, “Lean success in Japan is not a cultural phenomenon. Success lies in leadership’s ability to continuously motivate employees in order to obtain desired results. It does not matter if the place is Tokyo or Tampa Bay.” Goritsas also said that by using goals in a motivational and constructive manner, in addition to continuous training, is, “a proven way to overcome anyone’s resistance to change, and it builds trust in the process.”
Enna’s study mission to Japan will cost participants $6750 USD and covers all participant hotel rooms, meals, miscellaneous expenses and domestic transportation for the weeklong duration of their stay; airfare to Japan is not included. For further information and additional dates for Enna’s Japan study mission, you can visit the company’s website, www.enna.com/japantrip., call at 866-249-7348, or write them at info@enna.com.
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About Enna
Enna Products has quickly become an innovative leader in the field of process improvement systems. Enna provides businesses with the materials and knowledge needed to implement Lean practices at a fraction of the expense of seminars and consultants.
Press Contact:
Richard Paxton
Enna
richard@enna.com
For more Information email:
pressoffice@enna.com
The popularity of “study missions” to Japan has risen steadily since the late 1980’s, when America first began “importing” Lean practices from Toyota. Companies began to learn that even though they have applied all the tools of TPS, they were still hemorrhaging money through the cracks in their system, and decided to go to the source to seek answers. One such company providing tours is Enna, a developer and manufacturer of action-oriented workshop training packages designed to let companies lead Lean initiatives from the inside.
Collin McLoughlin, the president of Enna, and veteran of many study missions to Japan, said that trips such as these, “really cement what Lean is supposed to be.” By arranging behind-the-scene tours with exclusive access to management executives from companies such as Toyota, Panasonic, and Nissan, participants gain leverage by learning of the successful implementation techniques of Lean at world-class level companies. “What really drives learning home is the everyday Q & A sessions we arrange with the executives and managers of these companies,” McLoughlin said. “They are very gracious and eager to share their knowledge with us.”
In addition to touring manufacturing facilities, Enna’s study missions feature keynote speakers and industry notables. For their next study mission in October of 2008, Enna will feature workshops by the “Godfather of Lean” Norman Bodek and international business professor Dr. Michel Mestre. Mr. Bodek was the first to introduce the teachings of Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo, the architects of the Toyota Production System, to American industry. This will be his 70th study mission to Japan.
In the past, cultural differences have discouraged many Lean companies from travelling to Japan. Companies such as Enna provide a professional staff of tour guides, translators, and professors that negate the difficulties associated with studying abroad. Philip Goritsas, vice-president of Enna, also sees this as the opportunity to dispel cultural rumors of Lean, “Lean success in Japan is not a cultural phenomenon. Success lies in leadership’s ability to continuously motivate employees in order to obtain desired results. It does not matter if the place is Tokyo or Tampa Bay.” Goritsas also said that by using goals in a motivational and constructive manner, in addition to continuous training, is, “a proven way to overcome anyone’s resistance to change, and it builds trust in the process.”
Enna’s study mission to Japan will cost participants $6750 USD and covers all participant hotel rooms, meals, miscellaneous expenses and domestic transportation for the weeklong duration of their stay; airfare to Japan is not included. For further information and additional dates for Enna’s Japan study mission, you can visit the company’s website, www.enna.com/japantrip., call at 866-249-7348, or write them at info@enna.com.
###
About Enna
Enna Products has quickly become an innovative leader in the field of process improvement systems. Enna provides businesses with the materials and knowledge needed to implement Lean practices at a fraction of the expense of seminars and consultants.
Press Contact:
Richard Paxton
Enna
richard@enna.com
For more Information email:
pressoffice@enna.com
Contact
Enna
Richard Paxton
866-249-7348
www.enna.com
Richard Paxton
866-249-7348
www.enna.com
Contact
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