Attention manufacturers: Please join us January 16, 4-5PM for a happy hour where we will provide information on a special opportunity for 2025: Japan Kaizen Lean Accelerator Tour – May 10 – 17. Food and drinks will be provided, as well as a Q&A which includes a special session with the tour organizer, David Fitzpatrick, from Zenkai Consulting and Training.

Information Session Happy Hour Details
January 16th, 2025
4:00pm - 5:00pm

Better Busienss Bureau
1805 Rutherford Lane
STE 100 Austin, TX 78754

Attendance is FREE for all manufacturers (SAMA members included)
See below for more details on the program we will discuss! Contact Liz Gori at liz@arma-tx.org for any questions.

Summary of the ARMA/SAMA Zenkai Improvement Partners Study Tour

Intent and Overview
A specialized study tour to Japan in May, 2025 for Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and San Antonio Regional Manufacturers Association (SAMA) members, tailored to member’s specific needs.
Focus areas: Toyota Production System (TPS), people-centric leadership, culture building, employee retention, and Kaizen/Lean methodologies.

Project Objectives
Expose participants to leading Japanese manufacturers excelling in TPS and Lean principles. Facilitate discussions and strategy sessions for participants to create actionable improvement roadmaps. Encourage networking among ARMA/SAMA members to foster collaboration and mentorship.
Training Content Highlights
Core topics include Toyota Production System basics, Kaizen practices, culture building, agile and Lean overlaps, and industry-specific applications. Certification courses in Toyota management principles and practical Kaizen training.

Sample Site Visits

• Tokyo Electron – VIP tour coordinated through ARMA member Tokyo Electron.
• Lexus – Curated VIP tour to Lexus production facility.
• Additional visits to renowned organizations (e.g. Suzaki Industries, Subaru, Omron, Toto) offering insights into TPS practices, Kaizen-driven operations, and innovative workplace strategies.
  Visits to certification and training centers for hands-on experience.

Tour Leaders

• David Fitzpatrick: Expert in TPS, cross-cultural communication, and operational optimization.
• Reiko Kano: Veteran Kaizen consultant with decades of experience, mentored by TPS founders.

Tour Pricing and Policies

Cost: Early bird discounted pricing through January 31; $7,500 Includes hotel accommodations, ground transportation in country to tour sites, meals, and program content. Excluded: Airfare, incidentals, add-ons (Note: current economy airfares to Nagoya, Japan are approximately $1,000 - $1,200) Organizers’ Commitment

Assurance of unique, impactful content with a focus on participant engagement and operational excellence.