JUST-IN-TIME
Introduction
The concept of Just-In-Time (JIT) at Toyota was established after years of continuous improvement within the production processes, aiming to manufacture the vehicles demanded by customers in a fast and efficient manner, making the delivery time to be as short as possible.
JIT was not simply an inventory reduction, or the solution to bad management. It focuses attention on how the skills and knowledge of employees can best be used to improve productivity, safety and quality. It is also about how to engage and commit all levels of the organization to aim toward the same objective.
JIT is one of the pillars of the TPS and Kanban is a means of application to reach the concept of production in Just-In-Time.
In this chapter we also examine case studies and projects I developed in non-automotive companies using the Kanban system.
-------------------------
INTRODUCTION OF JIDOKA AND JUST-IN-TIME AS THE PILLARS OF TPS
Both concepts are deeply connected;itisnot possible to have JIT production if Jidoka's concept is not efficiently deployed in the productive processes.
Jidoka
This concept was applied to the first mechanical loom developed in 1896 by Sakichi Toyoda, founder of Toyota Motors Corporation group. The traditional looms from that time used to waste materials due to the poor quality of products; such things used to happen when the cotton.