Originally started in 2013, 29 visits to 32 companies have taken place so far, with 641 participants to date.

Our next visit - apply now

Fly S.p.a. near Treviso Monday 03 & Tuesday 04 July

Click here for information about the visit

Click here to apply for a place Application deadline: 7 June

Forthcoming visits

We're putting the finishing touches to our calendar for the rest of the year. As and when dates and details are confirmed we'll post them below. Email us at lean@eu-japan.eu if you would like to be notified about future visits.

If you have any questions or if you think that your company/organisation might be willing to host a Lean in Europe visit, please email lean@eu-japan.eu.

Highlights from three previous visits

Highlights from the 2023 visit to SkiBeat

Highlights from the 2022 visit to PakMarkas

Highlights from the 2017 visit to Hansa Matrix

An overview of all past visits and links to detailed information on each of them can be found in the Lean in Europe archive.

Typical visit structure

The precise agenda varies between visits, but generally visits include:

• On the first evening
  • Preparatory group discussion or lean activity
  • Networking group dinner
• On the second day
  • Introduction to the host company, its 'lean journey', its use of process optimisation, lean management tools and - where relevant - AI/IoT to drive its business forward
  • 'Gemba' visit with explanations to see the lean tools in operation and understand how they are used
  • Debriefing / feedback session allowing participants to ask questions, make comments and share their ideas with the host company.

Costs

No participation costs, but participants will have to cover their travel and accommodation costs. The EU-Japan Centre will cover the costs of the venue for the group discussion, the group dinner and the coach from the hotel to the host company and (after the visit) onto the airport.

Eligibility and applicant profile

Lean in Europe visits are only open to people working for companies and organisations registered in one of the EU27 member-states, Ukraine or (under the SMP COSME strand) in Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. Applicants should be involved in their company / organisation's lean activities (preferably in a leadership role).

Other resources to help you on your lean journey

"Lean in Europe" is just one of a range of lean activities the EU-Japan Centre offers.

• The Lean Café - occasional online group discussions of lean issues and the sharing of ideas and best practice.
• Our Lean Masterclass - a series of 8 video lectures by Richard Keegan, recorded in 2016 and focus on "Getting things done". In addition to watching/downloading the lectures you can also request copies of the presentation material and various publications written by Richard.
• Our World-Class Manufacturing course in Japan - twice-yearly week-long training missions physically or virtually in Japan, providing an in-depth analysis of Japanese manufacturing methodology, consisting of lectures, workshops and visits to some of the world’s most advanced Japanese factories in order to understand the real "Gemba" (production site), talk directly with their production managers and observe the effective implementation of manufacturing methods.