Toyota Kata is the hidden daily practice at the heart of the Toyota Production System. It is key to developing coaching habits, systematic problem-solving skills, and a sustainable culture of continuous improvement in the Toyota style.

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In this intensive, three-day workshop, participants will learn by doing in the host company's production environment. Day 1 is an overview of Toyota Kata's two components, the Improvement Kata ("kata" = habit or way of doing), and the Coaching Kata. In days 2 and 3, participants work in small teams, receiving cycles of instruction followed by immediate application on a shop floor process.

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Lean Enterprise Institute and University of Michigan faculty member, Michele McLaughlin, and MWCC Director, Jeff Fuchs, facilitate this deep immersion into the practice of daily continuous improvement that is dramatically accelerating people's understanding of lean continuous improvement culture.  Don't miss this unique skill-building event!

 

Each Quarterly Meeting is a half-day lean conference, showcasing lean success stories, methods, and lessons-learned. Topics this meeting include standard work, Training Within Industry, daily continuous improvement and Toyota Kata.  Watch future emails for details.

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The MWCC officially welcomes its newest staff member, Dave Rizzardo. Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will accelerate the lean journeys of MWCC member companies, and grow Consortia programs and services. His immediate focus as Associate Director will be to establish and lead the MWCC's Lean Peer Groups. You can contact Dave at [email protected]. Please welcome him and ask questions about this valuable new member benefit!

 

What are Lean Peer Groups?

Lean Peer Groups are regional clusters of up to eight participating organizations who work with a facilitator and each other to build a lean culture in each company. Monthly meetings are held at participating facilities and address assessment, gap planning, lean improvement, and shared learning-while-doing.

 

Learn more at our Lean Peer Group web page. 

The MWCC invites you to join a leader's study tour going inside some of the leading lean companies of Southeastern Michigan. This two-day trip is designed to provide lean leaders with ideas and inspiration to guide their organizations' lean journeys.

Tour stops include:

• Menlo Innovations: A study in employee-centric culture, customer focus, lean leadership and lean in a project management world.
• Zingerman's Mail Order: See superior examples of standard work and training, mixed-model flow and visual controls.
• Maker Works: A lean, member-based workshop for startups, tinkerers, and small business - a model "Maker Community."
• Leadership Breakfast with Mike Rother: The author of Learning to See and Toyota Kata leads a small group discussion on lean leadership.
• DTE Energy: Lean transformation lessons-learned from SE Michigan's energy utility, serving over 2 million people.
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers: Stop in at SME Headquarters to learn about products and services supporting every company's lean transformation.
• Ford Rouge Plant Tour: Get a birds-eye view of lean and green manufacturing on the site of Henry Ford's crowning achievement.

Open to all lean leader/practitioners.  See our website for a detailed brochure, agenda, and pricing information.

 

The 3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Lean Conference returns to Timonium, MD! Mark your calendars for 22-23 October!