TOYOTA-PRODUCTION-SYSTEM

Original lean manufacturing.

Definition

TPS imposes a pull flow driven by downstream demand via kanban, the elimination of the seven wastes (muda), and automatic stop on the first anomaly. Sector EDI communications (DELJIT, JIS, DELFOR) largely originate from TPS requirements voiced from 1965 onwards.

Origin

Formalised by Taiichi Ōno and Eiji Toyoda between 1948 and 1975 ; popularised in the West by Womack and Jones (The Machine That Changed the World, 1990).

Example in context

Toyota triggers seat production exactly 4h before final installation thanks to an electronic kanban.

Related terms

• JIT — TPS pillar.