In this classic text, Taiichi Ohno--inventor of the Toyota Production System and Lean manufacturing--shares the genius that sets him apart as one of the most disciplined and creative thinkers of our time. Combining his candid insights with a rigorous analysis of Toyota's attempts at Lean production, Ohno's book explains how Lean principles can improve any production endeavor. A historical and philosophical description of just-in-time and Lean manufacturing, this work is a must read for all students of human progress. On a more practical level, it continues to provide inspiration and instruction for those seeking to improve efficiency through the elimination of waste.
Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Just-in-Time (JIT) production methods are the rage, as non-Japanese companies attempt to mimic Oriental manufacturers (see Edward J. Hay, The Just in Time Breakthrough , LJ 4/15/88). These methods originated at the Toyota Co. after World War II, and Ohno is philosophical father of the techniques. This volume represents the English translation of his original commentaries, first published in Japan in 1978. More a philosophical commentary and history than an applications manual, it not only presents compelling examples of JIT implementation at Toyota, but also illustrates the mindset behind the system, especially the critical importance of teamwork and the premeditated effort to develop automation with a human touch. Recommended more for historians of JIT than practitioners. Gene R. Laczniak, Marquette Univ., Milwaukee
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Language Notes
Text: English, Japanese (translation)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Mr. Ohno is the father of Toyota's just in time production system, also called lean manufacturing, though it is more than just that. The book gives an excellent primer on the basic principles of JIT, work-flow, leveling, waste minimization, etc. He also covers the history and application of these philosophies at Toyota. The book is a surprisingly good read, and Mr. Ohno's dynamic and engaging personality shows through. A must read for MBA students, persons in manufacturing or occupations where time is money.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By John C. Cox
Format:Hardcover
This book gives some real insight into the how the "Toyota Production System" actually gets results -- not the mess you hear consultants preaching about on every street corner.
I think that to understand the "Toyota Production System," you need to understand that these guys were only trying to eliminate waste. 5-S, Kanban, Kaizen, Lean, Poka-yoke, SMED, and 1-piece flow were solutions to problems that they encountered when trying to get rid of the waste.
This is why the Consultant's shiny new silver bullet doesn't work for many companies -- they just don't get it. The solutions listed above are ways to solve specific problems such as inventory losses, bad quality, long wait times, production bottle necks, etc.... They aren't really "Methods" in themselves to analyze a problem.... just the solutions they found effective.
I think that to understand the "Toyota Production System," you need to understand that these guys were only trying to eliminate waste. 5-S, Kanban, Kaizen, Lean, Poka-yoke, SMED, and 1-piece flow were solutions to problems that they encountered when trying to get rid of the waste.
This is why the Consultant's shiny new silver bullet doesn't work for many companies -- they just don't get it. The solutions listed above are ways to solve specific problems such as inventory losses, bad quality, long wait times, production bottle necks, etc.... They aren't really "Methods" in themselves to analyze a problem.... just the solutions they found effective.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was a good read with a lot of interesting history on the Toyota Production System but its just that. The majority of the book is written about the evolution of TPS and what economic factors drove its creation. If your looking for a book on thought process that inspired Taiichi Ohno to develope the Toyota Production System then this is the book for you. But if you are looking for a book that gets into advanced TPS processes then I would not suggest it.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a short book and as such gets to the point. Explains difficult concepts in a simple way. This book explains how JIT, Kanban, Zero Defects came about. Also shows what is missing from American JIT and that is production leveling.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A. Hefty
Format:Hardcover
I am a former Toyota Engineer and recommend that anyone interested in learning about the Toyota Production System a.k.a. lean manufacturing this is the place to start. Mr. Ohno is the creator of TPS and he gives a very good overview of how the system works. The book is very easy to read and easy to understand. This book should be read by all upper management employees looking to create a lean environment in their plants. The book will give you a good foundation to start implementing the techniques. It is the best book to read considering it comes from the inventor himself. It is the best you are going to find shy of being actually trained within Toyota's walls.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production" is a very enlightening work by the inventor of lean manufacturing, Taiichi Ohno. This small book is packed with insights and ideas on how to efficiently and effectively run a production system. The Toyota Production is also known as lean manufacturing, entails, among other things, minimising waste through continuous improvement and producing only what is sold, as requested by the customer. This unique and innovative system explains why Toyota makes profits even in tough times when other competitor firms are losing money.
The book explains this fascinating subject in a simple and easy to read and understand way that makes it accessible to a wide range of readers. Among the things that I found very interesting was the concept of zero defects, production load-levelling, standardised work and just-in-time delivery.
The book is very enlightening reading for those involved in any production process.
The book explains this fascinating subject in a simple and easy to read and understand way that makes it accessible to a wide range of readers. Among the things that I found very interesting was the concept of zero defects, production load-levelling, standardised work and just-in-time delivery.
The book is very enlightening reading for those involved in any production process.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Kodeman
Format:Hardcover
There are lots of things we can learn from the Japanese. What I learned a lot from this book is the thought process that was behind developing there systems (just in time and "autonomation"). Knowing that they couldn't compete in the same methods as the Americans, the Japanese invented a system whose intent was to remove waste in all aspects of production.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By M. Velazquez
Format:Hardcover
"Consider the waste of overproduction, for example. It is not an exaggeration to say that in a low-growth period such waste is a crime against society more than a business loss. Eliminating waste must be a business's first objective."
These words may well have been written yesterday.
As a young engineer still in school, I always thought most quality control systems, especially the more popular ones like 6 Sigma and lean manufacturing were incoherent mish-mashes of techniques obviously borrowed from more insightful people, sold without the philosophical foundation necessary for their correct interpretation and optimal application. Something akin to applying the letter of the law without understanding its spirit or, to use a more "japanese" metaphor, McDojos.
Today, still a young engineer but now also a fairly experienced entrepreneur, I find this book to be a revelation. As others have mentioned, it gives the impression of having been written over many years during the author's spare time, and thus comes out a bit fragmented. Obviously, the author is no Kawabata, but this does not detract from its value; in fact, I found the writing style to require more reflection from the reader, which for a book on a subject so alien to most western minds is a good thing.
The book is fairly short, but you should take your sweet time reading it. Even for people already familiar with many of the techniques developed for the Toyota prodution system and borrowed by others, such as just-in-time, it will give you a better understanding of their use and limitations.... Read more ›
These words may well have been written yesterday.
As a young engineer still in school, I always thought most quality control systems, especially the more popular ones like 6 Sigma and lean manufacturing were incoherent mish-mashes of techniques obviously borrowed from more insightful people, sold without the philosophical foundation necessary for their correct interpretation and optimal application. Something akin to applying the letter of the law without understanding its spirit or, to use a more "japanese" metaphor, McDojos.
Today, still a young engineer but now also a fairly experienced entrepreneur, I find this book to be a revelation. As others have mentioned, it gives the impression of having been written over many years during the author's spare time, and thus comes out a bit fragmented. Obviously, the author is no Kawabata, but this does not detract from its value; in fact, I found the writing style to require more reflection from the reader, which for a book on a subject so alien to most western minds is a good thing.
The book is fairly short, but you should take your sweet time reading it. Even for people already familiar with many of the techniques developed for the Toyota prodution system and borrowed by others, such as just-in-time, it will give you a better understanding of their use and limitations.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
interesting read
Ohno's principles are great but it was funny to read his exact words when dealing with people. Like he would say "fire" that plant manager
Published 3 months ago by richard margolies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Taiichi Ohno. Sistema de Producción Toyota
Excelente libro. Nos permite conocer las ideas originales del creador del Sistema de Producción Toyota y descubrir el por qué fracasan o tienen éxito las... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Antonio Trujllo Hdz.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very important book...
...if you want to understand why TPS is what it is. And Mr.Taiichi Ohno is the best teacher to talk about TPS.
Published 6 months ago by Helder Leal da Costa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insider look at an innovator's thought process
Although a lot of the implementation details are out of date, this book provides an invaluable insider's look at the thought process behind an iconic innovator. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Inbae Ahn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting experience
In this book Mr Taiichi Ohno shares his experience introducing several concepts to be more productive and it's what we called now Toyota Production System, this book is not a book... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cayo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ohno's management philosophy and approach to solving problems
This books is full of incredible insights and teachings about manufacturing and specifically TPS. However if you are looking for a specific tool, rule or spreadsheet to help you... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Bradley Bonnett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Effren 2011
This is the starting for anyone who wants to understamding how the TPS started and how it works. This is basically to open the mind on this theme, because nowadays we have many... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Toyota by Taiichi Ono
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!!
Great book!!. And even it was a used one, it seems better than new. I think I made a good purchase. Thanks!!
Published 21 months ago by Alfredo
3.0 out of 5 stars
Solid, but not Essential
I must admit disappointment with this text. I sought a deeper understanding of Taiichi's thought processes, and while the text delivers on this some, it was far too little for me. Read more
Published on June 13, 2011 by M and K
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn what of Lean applies to your business
Ohno explains the evolution of the Toyota Production System in such a way that the reader can see which of its tenets apply to their particular situation. Read more
Published on May 6, 2010 by Scott
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 6
books:
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68
books
cite this book:
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- Today and Tomorrow - Special Edition of Ford's 1926 Classic by Henry Ford on 5 pages
- My Forty Years with Ford (Great Lakes Books Series) by Charles E Sorensen on page 93, and Back Matter
- My Years with General Motors by Alfred Sloan on page 103
- Becoming Lean: Inside Stories of U.S. Manufacturers by Jeffrey K. Liker in Back Matter
- Fast Track to Waste-Free Manufacturing: Straight Talk from a Plant Manager (Manufacturing and Production) by John W. Davis in Back Matter
See all 6 books this book cites
- Customer Responsive Management: The Flexible Advantage (Total Quality Management) by Frank Davis Jr. on 4 pages
- Kaikaku: The Power and Magic of Lean by Norman Bodek on page 27, page 28, and Back Matter
- E-Commerce in Operations Management by Marc J. Schniederjans on page 191, page 216, and Back Matter
- The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer by Jeffrey Liker on page 26, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Supply Chains and Total Product Systems: A Reader by Ed Rhodes on page 85, and page 279
See all 68 books citing this book
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