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Taiichi Ohno

22quotes

Taiichi Ohno: A Pioneer of Lean Manufacturing


Full Name and Common Aliases


Taiichi Ohno was born as Ōnō Taiichi, a Japanese name that reflects his heritage. He is commonly referred to as the "Father of the Toyota Production System" or simply, Taiichi Ohno.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on February 29, 1906, in Dalian, Manchuria (now part of China), Taiichi Ohno passed away on May 22, 1990, at the age of 84.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Ohno was a Japanese national and worked as an engineer, innovator, and consultant. He is best known for his groundbreaking contributions to the development of lean manufacturing, a methodology that transformed industrial production worldwide.

Early Life and Background


Taiichi Ohno grew up in a region where the textile industry dominated the local economy. His early exposure to manufacturing processes laid the foundation for his future work. After completing primary education, Ohno moved to Nagoya, Japan, where he began his career at Toyota Motor Corporation in 1932.

Major Accomplishments


Ohno's most significant contributions include:

Development of the Just-in-Time (JIT) system: Ohno pioneered a production approach that emphasizes producing and delivering products just in time for customer needs. This eliminated inventory waste, reduced lead times, and improved quality.
 Introduction of the Kanban system: A visual signaling method to control production levels, Kanban ensured that production rates matched demand without overproducing or under-producing.
Implementation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): Ohno emphasized the importance of maintaining equipment to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.

Notable Works or Actions


Some of Ohno's notable works include:

"The Toyota Production System": A book co-authored with Shigeo Shingo that introduced the principles of lean manufacturing.
Consulting work: Ohno traveled extensively, sharing his expertise and implementing lean practices in various organizations worldwide.

Impact and Legacy


Taiichi Ohno's impact on the world of manufacturing is immeasurable. His innovative approaches have influenced industries beyond automotive production, including aerospace, healthcare, and more. Today, companies from all over the globe strive to adopt principles of lean manufacturing to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Ohno's quotes often emphasize the importance of:

Continuous improvement: Encouraging organizations to strive for excellence through ongoing efforts.
Collaboration: Highlighting the value of teamwork in achieving shared goals.
 Flexibility: Emphasizing the need for adaptability in response to changing market conditions.

Taiichi Ohno's legacy continues to inspire leaders and professionals worldwide. His commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction remains an integral part of modern manufacturing practices.

Quotes by Taiichi Ohno

Machine cycle time and manual cycle time are still mixed up all over the world.
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Machine cycle time and manual cycle time are still mixed up all over the world.
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Only the Gemba Can Do Cost Reduction.
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Only the Gemba Can Do Cost Reduction.
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I’m proud to be Japanese and I wanted my country to succeed. I believed my system was a way that could help us become a modern industrial nation. That is why I had no problem with sharing it with other Japanese companies, even my biggest competitors.
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I’m proud to be Japanese and I wanted my country to succeed. I believed my system was a way that could help us become a modern industrial nation. That is why I had no problem with sharing it with other Japanese companies, even my biggest competitors.
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Also, bad quality causes big disruptions in my river system.
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Also, bad quality causes big disruptions in my river system.
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My first move as the manager of the machine shop was to introduce standardized work.
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My first move as the manager of the machine shop was to introduce standardized work.
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The slower but consistent tortoise causes less waste and is more desirable than the speedy hare that races ahead and then stops occasionally to doze. The Toyota Production System can be realized only when all the workers become tortoises.
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The slower but consistent tortoise causes less waste and is more desirable than the speedy hare that races ahead and then stops occasionally to doze. The Toyota Production System can be realized only when all the workers become tortoises.
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The only place that work and motion are the same thing is the zoo where people pay to see the animals move around.
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The only place that work and motion are the same thing is the zoo where people pay to see the animals move around.
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If you are going to do TPS you must do it all the way. You also need to change the way you think. You need to change how you look at things.
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If you are going to do TPS you must do it all the way. You also need to change the way you think. You need to change how you look at things.
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And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value adding wastes.
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And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value adding wastes.
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We are doomed to failure without a daily destruction of our various preconceptions.
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We are doomed to failure without a daily destruction of our various preconceptions.
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