Toyota total shutdown in the '70's? - Toyota Yaris Forums

Deathegg · 05-11-2016, 10:52 PM

Hey everyone!

Was talking to a friend today, in the course of the conversation, he mentioned that Toyota, back in the 70's, shut down ALL of their manufacturing plants for an entire YEAR, to implement new quality control procedures. Apparently a man by the name of Edwards Deming brought to Japan, and Toyota especially, methods for improving reliability, and to implement these changes, Toyota shut down ALL plants for a period of one year.

I can find no evidence of this on the internet, or any car books I own. And I find this story highly unlikely to have occurred. I can *sort of* see it happening after WWII, to repair damaged plants, or some other similar scenario. I can even see them shutting down one plant at a time for a while. But ALL the plants for a YEAR?

If anyone has info on this, please share.

bronsin · 05-12-2016, 08:58 AM

Nuts.

MadMax · 05-12-2016, 09:24 AM

I think your friend is mistaken about the "shutdown," but Toyota did adopt many of Deming's concepts in the 1960s...

http://www.autonews.com/article/2007...by-an-american

MadMax · 05-12-2016, 09:28 AM

And some even question whether the Toyota Production System only happened because of Deming's influence...

http://construct.typepad.com/25seven...on-system.html

MadMax · 05-12-2016, 09:31 AM

More on Deming and his impact on the Japanese economy...

http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/w-edwards-deming

Deathegg · 05-12-2016, 01:14 PM

Yes, I read up on him and his methodologies. impressive no doubt. I think my friend is remembering his information incorrectly. Indeed, production figures throughout Toyota's history show cars/trucks being built in each year. Thanks guys.

brushforhire · 05-12-2016, 01:19 PM

When I first started with Toyota I had to take training on the history of the company, I wish I could link to that training here. Really interesting stuff, especially their methodology on how they run their company.

It was a real system shock switching to mopar. What a joke, I can see why they have so many financial issues.

Kalispel · 05-12-2016, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax

More on Deming and his impact on the Japanese economy...

http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/w-edwards-deming

I read the article in this link, and it was very interesting. Hilarious how the arrogant U.S. robber-baron manufacturers of the time ignored Deming because he wasn't pandering enough to them in his presentations. As a result, the Japanese (followed by the rest of southeast Asia) killed the U.S. in auto/electronics manufacturing+quality for 50+ years - because they actually listened to Deming and learned from him. The joys of corporate hubris.

justanotherdrunk · 05-12-2016, 05:23 PM

its called pride

the worst of the 7 deadlies

Golddeenoh · 05-12-2016, 08:10 PM

Toyota has always had a certain amount of quality, the founder, Mr. Toyoda started out in the textile business making looms, he found a away to make the loom have drastically fewer errors in weaving/looming and took this same desire to achieve excellence in his work to the automotive industry when he started it.

The above is the side effect of working at Toyota for a little while and going through their courses on history and products.

tarkus · 05-15-2016, 10:57 AM

The Japanese have a cultural obsession with perfection. I know this from direct experience in my job. Deming was the prefect guy to show them how to achieve that in manufacturing, and Toyota is probably one of the best examples of their success with him.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

05-11-2016, 10:52 PM	#1
Deathegg Drives: 2010 Yaris hatch Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA Posts: 133	Toyota total shutdown in the '70's? Hey everyone! Was talking to a friend today, in the course of the conversation, he mentioned that Toyota, back in the 70's, shut down ALL of their manufacturing plants for an entire YEAR, to implement new quality control procedures. Apparently a man by the name of Edwards Deming brought to Japan, and Toyota especially, methods for improving reliability, and to implement these changes, Toyota shut down ALL plants for a period of one year. I can find no evidence of this on the internet, or any car books I own. And I find this story highly unlikely to have occurred. I can sort of see it happening after WWII, to repair damaged plants, or some other similar scenario. I can even see them shutting down one plant at a time for a while. But ALL the plants for a YEAR? If anyone has info on this, please share. __________________ "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past" - Patrick Henry

05-12-2016, 08:58 AM	#2
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	Nuts. __________________ Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head

05-12-2016, 09:24 AM	#3
MadMax Drives: 2008 Yaris Liftback (Sprocket) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 2,799	I think your friend is mistaken about the "shutdown," but Toyota did adopt many of Deming's concepts in the 1960s... http://www.autonews.com/article/2007...by-an-american __________________

05-12-2016, 09:28 AM	#4
MadMax Drives: 2008 Yaris Liftback (Sprocket) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 2,799	And some even question whether the Toyota Production System only happened because of Deming's influence... http://construct.typepad.com/25seven...on-system.html __________________

05-12-2016, 09:31 AM	#5
MadMax Drives: 2008 Yaris Liftback (Sprocket) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 2,799	More on Deming and his impact on the Japanese economy... http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/w-edwards-deming __________________

05-12-2016, 01:14 PM	#6
Deathegg Drives: 2010 Yaris hatch Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA Posts: 133	Yes, I read up on him and his methodologies. impressive no doubt. I think my friend is remembering his information incorrectly. Indeed, production figures throughout Toyota's history show cars/trucks being built in each year. Thanks guys. __________________ "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past" - Patrick Henry

05-12-2016, 01:19 PM	#7
brushforhire Drives: 07 HB YARIS, 15 JUKE, 00 TUNDR Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 320	When I first started with Toyota I had to take training on the history of the company, I wish I could link to that training here. Really interesting stuff, especially their methodology on how they run their company. It was a real system shock switching to mopar. What a joke, I can see why they have so many financial issues.

05-12-2016, 05:23 PM	#9
justanotherdrunk Drives: 2016 SE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 1,137	its called pride the worst of the 7 deadlies

05-12-2016, 08:10 PM	#10
Golddeenoh Takes corners too fast! View User's Garage Drives: Absolute Red 2009 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 830	Toyota has always had a certain amount of quality, the founder, Mr. Toyoda started out in the textile business making looms, he found a away to make the loom have drastically fewer errors in weaving/looming and took this same desire to achieve excellence in his work to the automotive industry when he started it. The above is the side effect of working at Toyota for a little while and going through their courses on history and products. __________________ mods:15''Drag DR21 w/Nitto NeoGen 205/50R15, Tanabe DF210 lowering springs 1.6/1.8, TRD Rear Sway Bar, Tanabe Front Sway Bar, Micro Image Short Throw Shift Kit (both in and under), 8.64lbs flywheel, F1 Stage 4 Clutch, AEM Cold Air Intake (Red), Megan Racing Header, DC Sports Axle Back Exhaust, Micro Image Crank Pulley, NST lite Alternator Pulley, ARP Manifold Stud Kit,Tanabe Front Strut Tower Brace, ScanGuage II, Micro Image Silicone Radiator Hose Kit (Red), NRG Carbon Fiber Shift Knob (round), 2009-2011 Toyota Yaris Liftback Foglight kit, NRG Grounding Kit (Red), Hella Horns(Red),CF Hood

05-15-2016, 10:57 AM	#11
tarkus Drives: 2006 Yaris RS 3-Door Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: YYZ Posts: 329	The Japanese have a cultural obsession with perfection. I know this from direct experience in my job. Deming was the prefect guy to show them how to achieve that in manufacturing, and Toyota is probably one of the best examples of their success with him. Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

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