Learning Talent Development and 3S Practices Directly from the CEO: A Gear Manufacturing Site Supported by Process Management

• Table of Contents
• A Gear Manufacturing Site Where Management Philosophy and Organizational Development Come to Life
• Take a Look Inside the Tour
• Tour Details
• How to Make an Inquiry

A Gear Manufacturing Site Where Management Philosophy and Organizational Development Come to Life

Since its founding in 1951, the company has continuously produced high-quality gears used across a wide range of industries, including steel manufacturing and large-scale industrial machinery. With a strong commitment to craftsmanship and quality, the company has played a vital role in supporting Japanese manufacturing as a trusted gear supplier. The foundation of this stable quality and efficient production lies in the rigorous implementation of 3S practices—Sort, Set in order, and Shine—combined with the adoption of advanced process management systems. Through these initiatives, the company has successfully achieved both consistent product quality and improved productivity, earning long-term trust from its clients.
Equally important is the company’s focus on hiring and developing young talent. By actively nurturing the next generation of engineers and encouraging fresh ideas, the organization fosters an environment where innovation and energy thrive. Knowledge and skills are carefully passed down from experienced craftsmen to younger employees, allowing a culture of continuous improvement to take root. This approach supports not only organizational growth but also long-term, sustainable development.

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese).

Take a Look Inside the Tour

We invite you to explore what the guided tour is like. The tour follows the schedule below:

CEO Lecture (60 minutes) → Factory Tour (60 minutes)

A Lecture Program Led Directly by the CEO

At the beginning of the tour, participants attend a lecture delivered directly by the CEO. During this session, you will learn about workplace improvement based on 3S practices—Sort, Set in order, and Shine—as well as real-world examples of talent development through assigning projects to young employees.
At the company, young staff members are given opportunities to take the lead in improvement initiatives through 3S activities. These experiences contribute not only to individual career development but also to greater organizational vitality. As a result of these efforts, more than half of the employees are under the age of 35, creating a youthful organization that values initiative, responsibility, and growth—while remaining deeply rooted in the local community. Through this lecture, participants gain practical insights into talent development in manufacturing and learn effective approaches to passing down skills and values to the next generation.
*Please note that the lecture is conducted in a conference room.

Factory Tour: Experiencing Gear Manufacturing Processes and Workplace Improvement

From this point, participants move on to explore the company’s technology and manufacturing site firsthand. Before entering the factory, visitors receive a patrol checklist and are encouraged to observe the workplace with a focus on identifying improvement opportunities and operational insights. By carefully observing on-site practices, participants gain a deeper understanding of how quality improvement and productivity enhancement are achieved through daily operations.

At the first factory, visitors observe the initial processing stage before the gear takes shape. Workbenches and tools are neatly arranged—resembling the organized displays of a convenience store—creating an exceptionally clean and well-managed work environment. The efficient layout and well-maintained workspace reflect the high level of awareness and discipline shared by employees in their daily work.

This consistently organized environment is supported by a strong corporate culture in which every employee thinks independently and acts proactively. On the shop floor, 3S practices (Sort, Set in order, Shine) are not treated as special initiatives, but are seamlessly integrated into daily operations. As a result, these practices contribute directly to stable product quality and improved operational efficiency.

Visitors are also introduced to a management board that displays outstanding orders at a glance. By regularly reviewing this board, the factory visualizes production status and work progress, enabling comprehensive process management. Aligning order information with real-time operational conditions allows the company to achieve both on-time delivery and high productivity. Through shared information across the site, manufacturing activities proceed smoothly and efficiently.

At the second factory, visitors observe the gear cutting process, where the teeth of the gears are carefully machined. With ample lubrication applied, the gears gradually take shape over time—a scene that conveys both the depth and precision of manufacturing craftsmanship. Each step in the process is carried out meticulously, and the careful accumulation of these steps results in the production of highly precise gears.

This process—cutting an exact number of teeth into a circle that cannot be evenly divided—requires advanced design capabilities and highly precise machining technology. On the factory floor, where even the smallest deviation is unacceptable, visitors can experience firsthand the exceptional level of accuracy demanded in gear manufacturing, along with the refined skills of craftsmen developed over many years.

Through this series of factory tours, participants gain insight into how the company achieves both high quality and manufacturing efficiency. By learning directly from real production sites, visitors can understand the thinking behind process management and workplace improvement initiatives. Elements that are difficult to grasp through classroom learning alone become clear when experienced firsthand, allowing participants to develop a concrete understanding of the essence of continuous improvement in manufacturing.

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese).

Tour Details

During the CEO-led lecture, participants learn practical approaches to workplace improvement based on 3S practices (Sort, Set in order, Shine), as well as real examples of talent development through proactively assigning projects to younger employees. By hearing directly from top management, participants gain insight into how daily improvement activities are connected to organizational development and long-term management strategy. This session allows visitors to understand these initiatives from both a managerial and on-site perspective.
In the factory tour, participants observe the gear manufacturing process firsthand and experience the on-site capabilities and technical expertise that support Japanese manufacturing. By closely examining process management, workflow design, and the complete production flow from start to finish, visitors gain a concrete understanding of what is truly important in manufacturing operations and quality assurance.

- Fee：JPY 63,300 (tax included)　*Group pricing applies
- Group size：1–20 participants　*An additional fee applies for groups of 21 or more.
- Duration：Approximately 120–150 minutes
- Program：Factory tour, CEO lecture
- Application deadline：At least 1 month in advance

See the workplace, hear directly from management, and understand the systems behind success. By experiencing all three elements simultaneously, participants gain valuable insights into the fundamental strengths of Japanese manufacturing and the principles behind companies that continue to grow sustainably. These insights can be applied as practical inspiration for your own management and talent development initiatives. International visitors are also welcome (an accompanying interpreter is required).

How to Make an Inquiry

１.Please fill out the required information using the inquiry form below.
２.You will receive a response from our team at industrial.tourism@nankai.co.jp within three business days.

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese).

Feel free to contact us for availability, scheduling consultations, or detailed tour information. We look forward to hearing from you!