Written by a recognized leader in the
manufacturing industry with nearly two decades of experience working for Toyota, this book
supplies a firsthand account of the realities behind implementing the Toyota Production
System (TPS).
The Toyota Kaizen Continuum: A
Practical Guide to Implementing Lean presents authoritative insight on how to use the TPS
to drive operational value and improvement across all segments of an organization.
Highlighting valuable lessons learned directly from
the TPS masters at the Toyota factories in Japan, John Stewart provides a time-tested
approach for implementing a process of continuous improvement. Delving into his
wide-ranging experience—that includes time as a team member on the assembly line and
managing the vehicle assembly division for Toyota’s largest European operation in the
United Kingdom—he explains how to get the process started, how to get senior management
excited about the possibilities, and details a process for implementing the TPS in your
organization.
- Written by an industry veteran named one of
the Top 10 Automotive Executives by Automotive News in 2007
- Unveils the methods used within the walls of
the world’s premier manufacturing organization
- Illustrates valuable lessons learned with
real-world examples of TPS implementations
- Describes five simple steps for executing
change in any organization
The book includes case studies that illustrate
real-life successes and failures behind the walls of the world’s largest automobile
manufacturing organization. Detailing a five-step process for executing improvement
initiatives, it supplies you with the tools and understanding of the core principles of
the TPS needed to implement and sustain a culture of continuous improvement in your
organization.
John
Stewart is an operating partner with the private equity firm Monomoy Capital
Partners in New York. Mr. Stewart's professional experience includes 18 years with Toyota
Motor Corporation in various operational and executive positions. During his time with
Toyota, he worked his way from working as a Team Member on the Assembly line to managing
the Vehicle Assembly Division for Toyota’s largest European operation in the United
Kingdom.
Mr. Stewart was recognized within Toyota as being an
expert at utilizing the Toyota Production System to effect change in various environments.
He was often selected for some of the toughest assignments in Toyota, culminating in the
turnaround of the operations in the United Kingdom. He spent over 88 weeks in Japan with
Toyota. During this time, Mr. Stewart was trained by some of Toyota’s most talented
Japanese masters on all things relating to the Toyota Production System. Mr. Stewart is a
recognized leader in the automotive and manufacturing industry and is frequently sought
after to serve as a Sr. Advisor to manufacturers across the globe. He was named one of the
top 10 automotive executives by Automotive News in 2007.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Don’t Believe Everything That You Read in a Book ABC’s of TPS The Kaizen
Continuum
Foundational
Elements of the Toyota Production System
An Overview of the Toyota Production System Toyota’s Recent Turmoil A History
of the Toyota Production System Kentucky Alchemy Keep It Simple The Toyota Production
System versus Lean Manufacturing Standardization Quest for the Cube Visiting the Plant
Floor Understanding Standardized Work Just In Time (JIT)
The Pull System Flow Production Takt Time Jidoka Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)
Developing the Tools
Why the
Toyota Production System Makes Sense: Common Sense
Common Sense 101
Understanding Value Understanding Demand Common Sense in Action
Common
Misconceptions and Misunderstandings Regarding the Toyota Production System
TPS Misconceptions and Misunderstandings Which Way Is Best?
Toyota Production System Historical Overview Kanban System Overview The Toyota Way The
Customer Knows Best Go. See. Act
Waste
Management … Improving the Manufacturing Process One Kaizen at a Time
Gap Management The Three M’s Muda Transportation Waiting Overstock
Overproduction Repair Overprocessing Non-Value-Added Work Muri Mura Classification of Muda
Transportation Waiting Overstock Overproduction Repair Overprocessing Non-Value-Added Work
Muda Countermeasure Methods Waste Elimination Example
The
Golden Rules of the Toyota Production System
Fundamentals The Golden Rules of TPS Simplify Standardize Specialize Capital
Investment Guidelines Tangible Return on Investment Period Recycle, Redeploy, and Reuse
Simple, Safe, and Reliable
Cost
Management for Profitability
Understanding the Death Spiral Understanding the Cost Structure Fixed and
Variable Costs Minimum Variable Costs Break-Even Point Managing Costs Managing Cost
Example
Execution
Facing Reality The Five-Step Process for Executing Improvement Initiatives
Assessment: Understanding the Business Setting the Course Identify the Project Leader
Completely Understand the Project Assessment Completely Understand the Project Target
Identify the Project Resources Determine the Roles and Responsibilities Develop the Plan
Completely Understand the Costs Communicate Execution Rapid Implementation Stabilization
Continuous Improvement Conclusion
Index
218 pages, Hardcover