Lean Learnings: Masterclass Series with Isao Yoshino, Session Two

Session Two of Four: Masterclass Series with Isao Yoshino

• Session One – June 18: A Rare Conversation with Isao Yoshino – 40-Year Toyota Leader & Lean Pioneer
  (Completed – Thank you to all who attended!)
• Session Two – July 30: Characteristics of Successful Business Style – Japan and USA: The Case of NUMMI
• Session Three – August 27: Hoshin Kanri: Strategy Deployment the Toyota Way
• Session Four – October 1: Kan-Pro: Developing Leaders Inside Toyota

Session Two Overview

Topic: Characteristics of Successful Business Style – Japan and USA: The Case of NUMMI

In 1983, Isao Yoshino was appointed training manager of a newly formed section responsible for preparing NUMMI’s shop-floor leaders—a key part of Toyota’s joint venture with GM. This came after the Fremont plant (1962–1982) had closed due to poor performance in quality, productivity, absenteeism, and safety. The partnership’s condition: Toyota must hire back the same workforce.

What followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds in automotive history. Under Yoshino-san’s leadership, Toyota built a cross-cultural, hands-on training program that helped transform this workforce into one of the best-performing teams in the industry. He recruited both internal talent and external leaders—like John Shook—to support this mission. Yoshino met personally with every trainee, helping to foster a culture of respect and learning that defined NUMMI’s success.

Most people don’t realize that the success of NUMMI was heavily dependent on the voluntary and deeply personal commitment of Yoshino and his team.

The last Toyota Corolla rolled off the NUMMI line on April 2, 2010—but its legacy lives on.