Nearly 20 members of the Bluegrass Automotive Manufacturing Association (BAMA), Region 5, held sessions hosted by DENSO Manufacturing Tennesee’s Electronics Division Plant 203, working together with an eye toward plant improvement ideas using Toyota’s Production System (TPS).
BAMA suppliers split into workshop teams after company tours to familiarize themselves with the plant. Plant 203 teams encouraged involvement in operational improvements for selected lines; a comparison of the team leader program with that of the TPS Team Leader standard; a list of delivery improvement ideas; and three safety improvements.
BAMA was founded in 1989 to give Toyota Motor Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. a standard forum introducing basic Toyota philosophies. Expanding from a regional into a North American organization, BAMA has become a key educational and developmental resource. DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee has been involved in BAMA’s ongoing efforts. BAMA is now a major supplier development tool used to improve the overall performance of Toyota’s supply base.
