Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-scale Production

The book is a first hand account of how Toyota Motor Company started after WW2 to become the leading manufacturer in the world. Through the book Taiichi Ohno highlight facts that will be contrary to the belief held by many western managers about the Toyota Production System (TPS): Toyota actually had severe labour resistance and strikes, the sole goal is to reduce costs by reducing labour (no lifetime contracts) and the burden of carrying inventory is not just shifted to suppliers.
From the principle of reducing waste in manufacturing Taiichi Ohno goes on to explain how many of the methods and procedures arose that are now synonymos with TPS (e.g. JIT, Kanban, flow, SMED). People already familiar with these concepts will appreciate the explanation of how they started and complement each other.
The book left an impression of Taiichi Ohno as a person deeply devoted to his country and countrymen, and that this is the source of his passion for manufacturing excellence. Although nationalistic he openly express his admiration for early American industry and include lengthy quotes from Henry Ford and Alfred Sloan, but he also highlight that TPS in many ways is the exact opposite of what Henry Ford's system of mass production has been turned into.
Among business books this is definitely one of my favourites and the insights and wisdom of Taiichi Ohno goes far 'beyond large-scale production.' 

Review: Toyota Production System

It's about Flow! Read full review

Review: Toyota Production System

This is a very enlightening work by the inventor of lean manufacturing, Taiichi Ohno. If you are interested in getting started in the Lean methodologies then you should read this book. Taiichi Ohno ... Read full review

Review: Toyota Production System

Anyone that is seeking more to learn about Lean or the Toyota Production System should check out this book. The founder of TPS talked about his own learning journey and I believe gives great insights into anyone that wants to live Lean, rather than just copy the motions. Read full review