Lean Implementation Team

Lean Implementation is NOT the Goal

Nowadays, all good results obtained in terms of safety, quality, productivity and delivery seems to be linked to lean implementation. Whilst the implementation of lean methodologies has positive potential, there are a large number of companies that fail to establish a lean culture. This article explores the purpose of lean transformation and how it impacts organizations that set out on a lean implementation journey.

Toyota Career Hyodo Sensei

Hyodo Sensei’s Toyota Career

Akinori Hyodo joined the Toyota group at the age of 19 and through his Toyota career he worked his way up to become factory manager and director at the Toyota factory in Japan responsible for manufacturing the HiAce vehicle. His path on a lean journey wasn’t always smooth but his unswerving attitude to rise to challenges made him the lean leader he became. Hyodo Sensei shares experience from his Toyota career and gives us advice based on his personal journey.

Lean Leader Hyodo Shop Floor Inspection

Toyota Jishuken

The term Jishuken came out of Toyota and has become a well-known word in lean manufacturing. It is often referred to as a “management-driven group kaizen activity”. But, the details of what is really involved in Jishuken are not widely known. Akinori Hyodo explains Toyota’s approach to Jishuken and shares his experience of being an active part of it for more than a decade.