Anyone here understand the Toyota Production System?

[jmowreader]

I am trying to fix my department's logistics problems, and I've come across a description of the Toyota Production System at http://www.toyotaproductionsystem.net.

If anyone can really explain how the Kanban works, let me know because right now my head is spinning reading this.

[ohiosmith]

1. Visit this site. Everything Toyota did/does flows from Deming.

http://www.deming.org/

[Sporadicus]

2. Some Problem With Your TPS Reports, Peter?

sorry, had to quote from one of my favorite movies, 'Office Space.' Also sorry I can't be of more assistance. I work in the automotive sector also, but Toyota isn't a customer.

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Pick up "The Machine That Changed The World"

from MIT 10-odd years ago. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060974176/102-2835326-4505706?v=glance
Very clearly written; probably a big improvement over Toyota's site.

I wrote a master's thesis on this stuff 10 years ago, but like most things have forgotten most of it. You could probably get my thesis through inter-library loan if you're a masochist. (I'm John M. Dantzler, it was an MA in Economics from the University of South Carolina; finished up in 1993.)

[jmowreader]

4. Anything's got to be an improvement on Toyota's site

Seeing as how Toyota's site is essentially Ohno's original paper, translated from Japanese into English by a Brit with the Japanese grammar left intact.

[Sporadicus]

6. Not to Mention The Website

which is butt-ugly.

[I thought so.]

5. Kanban

Where I worked it consisted of a cabinet in each dept. that had such items as grinding wheels,diamonds, drill bits,cutting tools,etc. Stuff that was needed everyday. It was maintained by an outside supplier.