Toyota Production System (TPS)

History:
From a young age, Sakichi Toyoda devoted himself to the improvement of looms. In 1891 he obtained his first patent for them. In 1924 he invented the Type G, an automatic knitting machine with an uninterrupted weaving system, the first machine of its kind in the world.

"Applying human intelligence to machines is the only way to make machines work for men" AUTONOMATION.
 

According to Sakichi's wishes, his son Kiichiro Toyoda entered the automobile industry.
- In 1935 Toyoda manufactures its first car, the A1
- In 1936 the series production of the AA model (improved A1) begins
- In 1937 it changed its name to TOYOTA
- In 1945, coinciding with the end of World War II, Kiichiro sets a clear objective for Taichi Ohno:

"To reach the American automobile industry, otherwise the Japanese automobile industry will not survive"

Taiichi Ohno made many improvements that led to TPS when the company was going through a difficult situation. Among them, he created environments of participation and flexibility for workers, promoted the participation of all departments in product quality and worked on the integration of suppliers.
 

Shigeo Shingo was one of the main precursors to the introduction of JIT, Kanban and Stockless production systems.
 - Defender of the application of Statistical Process Control
 - From 1961 he began to use poka-yoke techniques
 - As he completed more projects with the poka-yoke systems, his enthusiasm for Statistical Process Control waned
 - In 1969, while working for Toyota, he conceived SMED