Here is a summary and information about a book that outlines how Henry Ford provided much of the inspiration and knowledge that became the basis of the Toyota Production System. I like to use this Ford background material with anyone who takes issue with learning what they think is a system that works only in Japan. We certainly have enough American examples of how TPS works here, Toyota plants or otherwise.
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Very interesting. I’d like to learn more. I thought there were fundamental differences in Ford’s approach and TPS, also-due to fundamental differences in economic situations and in the culture at large.
I thought the conditions in Japan-made flexibilty and customer satisfaction more of a priority, as it could not compete with Ford’s economy of scale. Also, it’s often said that the American worker was more willing to put up with a degrading attitude and working conditions.
Also, Japan had a more uniform workforce, as opposed to the many illiterate migrants Ford had to work with. And Japan was more aware of the social aspect of work. At least this is what you always hear.
Hope to read the book sometime.
Jon
I think Toyota certainly added to Ford’s lean vision, but many of the industrial engineering based lean concepts, including Flow, come from Ford and Toyota gives them credit for that. Ford also got away from their roots as mass production became the way of the land after WWII.