What is the Toyota production system?

The Toyota production system, consists of a comprehensive management and production system related to Toyotism that comes from the Toyota automotive company of Japan. At first this system was created to manufacture automobiles and later it was extended to other areas.

East Toyota production system today, has stood for many years as one of the best systems that many companies would like to match.

The success of this organization is based on 14 principles They offer an overview of the functions of a production factory and the emphasis on its workforce.

Objectives of the Toyota production system

The goal of this system is to offer products with the best possible quality worldwide, in order to cover the expectations of consumers, being a model of high efficiency and business responsibility in the industry and society.

The Toyota production system consider the following goals based on your values:

• Achieve optimal development in the potential of each of its workers, focused on trust, respect and cooperation.
• Raise standards with the greatest production flexibility based on market demand.
• Offer the highest quality and services to consumers around the world.
• Lower prices by eliminating waste and thereby increasing profits.

Main ideas of the Toyota production system

This system model focuses on a series of concepts such as the following:

• The Just in time o Just in time, it is based on production ideals with only what is necessary and always do it with optimum quality without wasting the company's resources.
• For good production, it is important to execute a good plan, constantly improve production control, and monitor quality standards.
• Another of the main ideas is automate each procedure Through human supervision, this increases product quality self-control, especially if it is on a large scale.
• Improve and perfect production every day, since in this way the procedures and products can achieve excellent quality.

Principles of the Toyota production system

The renowned professor of American Industrial Engineering Jeffrey Liker, analyzed the principles that made Toyota a quality and innovative company.

In the book he pointed out, the 14 basic principles of the Toyota production system that made this company a successful role model for countless companies worldwide.

These principles were grouped into four different models known as 4PEach of the models with their respective principles are shown below:

Philosophy

Long-term thoughts.

• Principle 1: It is about making process decisions that are based on a long-term philosophy, even depending on short-term economic gains.

Process

Waste disposal and proper processing provide adequate results.

• Principle 2: Creating processes with continuous fluidity allows problems to surface.
• Principle 3: Apply attraction systems avoid overproduction.
• Principle 4: Leveling the workload, since it is better to go like the tortoise and not like the hare.
• Principle 5: Forge a culture of stopping to solve problems, that serves to get better results the first time.
• Principle 6: Standardized labor is the basis for better continuity and training of workers.
• Principle 7: Use visual checks to highlight problems.
• Principle 8: Use reliable and proven technology to better serve the process and employees.

People

It is based on incorporating value in the company through leadership, respect, philosophy, challenges and development of people, suppliers and teams.

• Principle 9: Create leaders who fully understand work, live the philosophy, and empower others.
• Principle 10: Motivate exceptional people and groups who embrace the philosophy of the company.
• Principle 11: Give respect to partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve.

Problem resolution

It is based on improving the continuity and learning of the company, implementing quickly and making decisions by consensus.

• Principle 12: Go and observe for yourself to understand the situation in depth.
• Principle 13: In slowly and by consensus in decision making, fully considering the options to implement decisions quickly.
• Principle 14: Becoming a learning company through reflection and constant improvement.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Toyota production system

The Toyota production system today It has achieved favorable results within the global industry, which has allowed it to develop quality products, however, it also has some shortcomings.

Advantage

Some relevant advantages are:

• Ensures a better service and commitment in the delivery of products in terms of the agreed date and price.
• It strives to offer products with new management systems and advanced technology.
• Find a way to get low-cost products on the market.
• Their designs are reliably manufactured without defects.
• It easily adapts to variations in demands, technology, quantity of products and changes in the market, among others.

Disadvantages

Although it is an innovative system for companies, it includes the following disadvantages:

• It places limits on the possible decrease in purchase prices if they are in small quantity.
• The lack of inventories in some orders, allows the non-fulfillment of the same, causing loss of customers.
• The increase in unproductive prices due to excess production, in the execution of products with defects.

The Toyota production system bases they remain aligned with the objectives and the strategic plan in order to achieve the goals of the business plan, paying more attention to the system than to the results. This company has provided great benefits in terms of the reliability and quality of its products and has managed to establish a high worldwide reputation.