It’s good to learn from the best in business, and it’s definitely the most profitable to learn from someone else’s mistakes! The Toyota example shows how much good can be done in a matter-of-fact approach to the subject. Today, a few words about the production system created by the Japanese automotive giant – what is it based on and what good can it do for our home business?
The genesis of TPS – the Toyota production system
Even Toyota at the beginning of its operation had to overcome a whole range of difficulties, including facing the most acute ills of manufacturing companies – the need to increase productivity. That’s why, right after the Second World War, Taiich Ohno developed and proposed a production system based on eliminating waste. The system proved to be so good that it allowed Toyota to develop the position of a global automotive giant, and in principle it has been the most effective way to improve performance, used in the modern manufacturing industry all over the world.
Assumptions of the Toyota production system
In the Toyota production system, its very goals, which describe the functioning of the factory, which every entrepreneur dreams about, are very convincing. The basic assumption here is to provide customers with products and services of the highest quality, which stands out on a global scale. In order to develop it, it is necessary to create a flexible production system, preferably based on eliminating waste, because it allows for a significant reduction of costs and does not require new investments or engaging new resources. The perfect factory, of course, is complemented by employees, and here, according to the Toyota production system, the potential of employees should be constantly developed, and the best basis for development is trust and cooperation.
As the Toyota production system speaks so much about waste, it is worth to look more closely at this issue and learn the basic aspects of the waste encountered in production. The creator of the system, Taiich Ohno, pointed out as main problems: waiting time, overproduction, low processing efficiency, transport problems, too high inventory levels, as well as defects and deficiencies in manufactured products. This elimination of the cited elements is expected to increase production efficiency.
An important part of the entire system is the Toyota 4P model, which states that the most important assumptions of production optimization should include philosophy, process, partners and employees and problem solving (4P: Philosophy, Process, People / Partners, Problem solving). This first factor assumes that an enterprise is a tool that is to build value for everyone dealing with it, from employees, through customers, to society. The second says that the process is to achieve the desired results. Third, employees and partners are the value of an organization that needs to be increased through continuous development, and that it mobilizes challenges. The fourth, on the other hand, assumes that problem solving is the driving force of the learning process, and that the enterprise should be constantly learning in order not to be left behind.
Can Toyota’s production system be translated into our Polish realities? Surely, the answer to this question should be referred to the specificity of each individual company that is struggling for greater efficiency.
Are you looking for a way to increase productivity in your company? We recommend contacting the Syneo.pl team. We have created a production management system OptiMES, which has so far helped dozens of manufacturing companies in optimizing the production process.
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