Toyota's Just-in-Time Global Automotive Supply Chain Expansion (1967–2005)

1. Kanban adopted across Toyota’s plants

   Jan 1, 1963Labels: Kanban, Toyota Plants

   • Toyota 75 Years

2. Kanban extended to supplier parts retrieval

   Jan 1, 1965Labels: Kanban, Suppliers

   • Toyota 75 Years

3. Takaoka Plant begins Corolla production

   Jan 1, 1967Labels: Takaoka Plant, Corolla

   • Takaoka Plant

4. Toyota’s first North American manufacturing investment

   Jan 1, 1972Labels: Atlas Fabricators, TABC

   • Toyota USA

5. NUMMI reopens as GM–Toyota joint venture

   Jan 1, 1984Labels: NUMMI, GM Toyota

   • NUMMI

6. Toyota selects Kentucky for first wholly owned U.S. car plant

   Dec 11, 1985Labels: Georgetown Plant, Kentucky

   • Toyota USA

7. First Camry produced at Georgetown, Kentucky plant

   May 26, 1988Labels: Georgetown Plant, Camry

   • Toyota USA

8. First vehicle completed at Toyota’s Canada plant

   Nov 30, 1988Labels: TMMC, Cambridge

   • UPI Archive

9. Lean production popularized by MIT study book

   Jan 1, 1990Labels: MIT Study, Lean Production

   • Machine Book

10. Deeside engine plant comes online in Wales

    Sep 1, 1990Labels: Deeside Plant, Wales

    • Toyota UK

11. UK vehicle production begins at Burnaston plant

    Dec 16, 1992Labels: Burnaston Plant, Derbyshire

    • TMUK

12. Turkey plant starts production, expanding European network

    Sep 1, 1994Labels: Turkey Plant, Toyota Turkey

    • Toyota TR

13. Aisin supplier fire tests Toyota’s JIT resilience

    Feb 1, 1997Labels: Aisin, Supplier Fire

    • Aisin Fire
    • New Yorker

14. French plant starts Yaris production in Valenciennes

    Jan 31, 2001Labels: Valenciennes Plant, Yaris

    • Toyota UK Media

15. Turkey plant begins exports, linking production to global markets

    Feb 1, 2002Labels: Turkey Plant, Exports

    • Toyota TR

16. Canada plant breaks ground for Woodstock expansion

    Jan 1, 2005Labels: Woodstock Expansion, RAV4

    • Toyota Canada