An internationally recognised business improvement expert is launching a new company inspired by the methods of car manufacturer Toyota.

Andrew Scotchmer, 39, is setting up Complete Kaizen - a Japanese approach to business.

Kaizen means gradual improvement and is based on companies employing quality not quantity to improve.

The method has been pioneered by Toyota for decades.

Complete Kaizen, which will be based in Cornelian Street, Blackburn, will start trading next month.

Mr Scotchmer said: "The power of kaizen is in the speed with which improvements can be made.

"Some take as little as five days to completely turn around and reorganise a whole department, allowing immediate benefits to be realised the following week, and that the approach is non-sector specific, meaning everyone, bankers to retailers, can benefit from this approach.

"The reason the Japanese are world famous for delivering quality products on time and for their level of customer service is because they are experts in the use of kaizen and lean methods developed in that country over 40 years ago."

Mr Scotchmer became interested in kaizen when he married a Japanese woman.

He continued research into the business method while studying a masters degree.

Mr Scotchmer has since worked with a number of companies across the world, including the American Society for Quality which promotes advances in learning and quality among its 100,000 members.

Recently Lothian NHS Trust adopted the model which has seen waiting times for patients drop.

As part of the launch of Complete Kaizen Mr Scotchmer is organising a seminar.

For more information email at andrew@completekaizen.co.uk