Overview
Although Lean is increasingly recognized worldwide as the most productive approach to manufacturing, most companies do not realize that Lean is actually a blend of both old and new concepts. Henry Ford recognized in 1926 that he could keep product prices low by shortening the production cycle and implementing standardization, which allowed him to build his manufacturing empire on these concepts.
Established by the Roosevelt administration after the fall of France in 1940, the Training Within Industry (TWI) program was tasked with rapidly boosting industrial production, productivity, and quality to sustain the war effort. This program was later adopted by Toyota, forming a cornerstone of eliminating waste, standardizing work, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
The TWI Program offers the following five courses: