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Toyota introduces the Toyota Production System (TPS), which is considered the precursor to lean manufacturing
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Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo develop the principles and techniques of TPS at Toyota.
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The book "The Machine That Changed the World" by James P. Womack, Daniel T. Jones and Daniel Roos is published, popularizing the concepts of lean manufacturing in the West.
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The Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) is founded in the United States to promote and disseminate lean manufacturing practices.
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The term "Lean Manufacturing" is beginning to gain popularity in American industry.
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The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) of the United States establishes the Lean Certification Program to certify professionals in the principles and practices of lean manufacturing.
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The Automotive Industry Association of America (AIAG) publishes the Lean Toolkit, which provides guidelines and tools for implementing lean manufacturing practices in the automotive industry.
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"Lean Thinking" by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones is published, expanding and deepening the principles of lean manufacturing.
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The lean manufacturing approach extends beyond the manufacturing industry and is beginning to be applied in sectors such as healthcare, construction and services.
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With technological advances and digitalization, new tools and approaches for the implementation of lean manufacturing emerge, such as Lean 4.0 and Lean Digital.