Consulting for Gemba Kaizen of Manufactuaring with Toyota Production System (TPS,Lean System)

At the end of last year, I conducted on-site lecture at Japan Center in Moscow National University (MGU) on “Toyota Production System.(→)

At Sankt Petersburg in Russia, a car assembly plant of Toyota Motor is being constructed, so among local manufacturing industry ”Toyota Production System” and “Kaizen” are drawing renewed attentions.
Attendants were very enthusiastic. I, as the lecturer, felt that it was a good lecture and was pleased.
After return to Japan, I received mails of thanks from Mr. Y. Asazuma, Manger of Japan Center and Mr. Kurihara, Asst. Manger of Japan Center. Those mails doubled my pleasure.
I wish to quote portions of the mails here with thanks.

“Dear Mr. Hayashida,
We are very grateful to you for your visiting us at the request of RUSAL and us.
As pointed out by you, in Russia the production system centering on TPS is being seriously studied. RUSAL is one of those who are interested in TPS. It can be said that almost all managements in Russia wish to learn or let their staff learn TPS. In this regard, we, as Japan Center and myself as an individual, were very happy with the fact that we met starting with Mr. Hirayama, President, and your strong team of lecturers.
We think there will be cases where we would ask you to render us your co-operation and guidance in future. We sincerely hope that you will kindly give us your favor for such cases.
Asazuma”

“Dear Mr. Hayashida,
Thank you very much for giving a lecture to the staff of RUSAL.
Your lecture of full contents supported by your experience over yeas at the production shop floor at Toyota was very well accepted by the attendants. Also we received a telephone call of thanks the following day from Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Yarosrabri.
Once again we are very grateful to you.
Besides RUSAL, Russian corporations such as steel, engines, etc. have keen interest in TPS and eager to learn. When we have other opportunities, we wish to contact you.
I was very lucky to have acquainted with Mr. Hirayama, President, and other Hirayama members. We shall be happy if you can render us your guidance and co-operation in future.
Kurihara”

It was a very significant for me that I had a warm friendship with people engaged in manufacturing industry in Russia, thanks to the members of Japan Center.