|
|
Article: Manufacturing: Accident shows up downside of Toyota's 'lean production system'.(Business)
- Article from:
- The Birmingham Post (England)
- Article date:
- September 11, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Two industrial accidents have shown that for every brilliant idea, there's always a catch.
Toyota, pioneer of the 'lean production system' now used by most manufacturers, is feeling the pinch from a supply shortage after a gas tank explosion and fire suspended operations at a plant of its main steel supplier.
And Bridgestone said it may seek rivals' help in supplying tyres to its customers after a major fire suspended production at one of its main domestic factories at Tochigi, north of Tokyo.
The blast at a Nippon ...