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Toyota Production System
Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo laid the foundation for what would later be known as Lean Manufacturing at Toyota Motor Corporation. -
Expansion of TPS principles
Toyota refined its production methods, emphasizing waste reduction, continuous improvement, and respect for people. -
Spread to the West
Western companies like General Motors and Ford began adopting Lean principles in response to competition from Japanese manufacturers. -
Lean
James Womack, Daniel Jones, and Daniel Roos coin the term "Lean" in their book "The Machine That Changed the World," popularizing Lean Manufacturing outside of Japan. -
Lean becomes a mainstream
Lean manufacturing becomes mainstream: Many industries, including aerospace, healthcare, and electronics, adopt Lean principles to improve efficiency and quality. -
LEI
Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) founded: LEI was established to promote Lean thinking and provide resources for organizations implementing Lean principles. -
Six sigma
Lean Six Sigma integration: Many companies began integrating Lean principles with Six Sigma methodologies to achieve even greater efficiency and quality improvements. -
"The Toyota Way"
Toyota's management principles, emphasizing continuous improvement and respect for people, became influential worldwide. -
Digital transformation of Lean
Industry 4.0 technologies, such as automation, data analytics, and IoT, are integrated into Lean Manufacturing to further enhance productivity and agility. -
Lean evolution continues
Lean principles continue to evolve, adapting to changing market demands, technological advancements, and global challenges such as sustainability and resilience.