Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
The
Toyota Motor Co. Ltd was first established in 1937 as a spin-off from
Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, one of the world's leading manufacturers of
weaving machinery.
The Toyoda Automatic Loom Works was then
headed by Japan's 'King of Inventors' Sakichi Toyoda. The patent rights
to one of his machines had been sold to Platt Brothers (UK) and provided
the seed-money for the development and test-building of Toyota's first
automobiles.
August 1997 marked the 60th anniversary of TMC. The
fledgling company founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi's son, has since
blossomed into the leader that it is today.
In 1950 the company
experienced its one and only strike. Labor and management emerged from
this stoppage firmly committed to the principles of mutual trust and
dependence, and that corporate philosophy still guides our growth today.
Production
systems were improved in the late 1950's, culminating in the
establishment of the 'Toyota Production System.' It became known as TPS
in 1970 but was established much earlier by Taiichi Ohno. Based on the
principles of Jidoka, Just-in-time and Kaizen, the system is a major
factor in the reduction of inventories and defects in the plants of
Toyota and its suppliers, and it underpins all our operations across the
World.
Toyota launched its first small car (SA Model) in 1947.
Production of vehicles outside Japan began in 1959 at a small plant in
Brazil, and continued with a growing network of overseas plants. Toyota
believes in localizing its operations to provide customers with the
products they need where they need them; this philosophy builds mutually
beneficial long-term relationships with local suppliers and helps the
company fulfill its commitments to local labor.
Over and above
manufacturing, Toyota also has a global network of design and 'Research
and Development' facilities, embracing the three major car markets of
Japan, North America and Europe.
In every community in which the
company operates, Toyota strives to be a responsible corporate citizen;
close relationships with people and organizations in the local community
are essential contributors to mutual prosperity. Across the world,
Toyota participates enthusiastically in community activities ranging
from the sponsorship of educational and cultural programmes to
international exchange and research.
Today, Toyota is the world's
third largest manufacturer of automobiles in unit sales and in net
sales. It is by far the largest Japanese automotive manufacturer,
producing more than 5.5 million vehicles per year, equivalent to one
every six seconds. In the time it has taken you to read this paragraph,
at least another three or four cars will have been produced!
