PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AWARD-WINNING, "INSIDER'S" VIEW OF TOYOTA PRODUCTION

SYSTEM, HAS BEEN UPDATED

NEW YORK… There are numerous introductory books on the Toyota Production System (TPS), or "lean production" as we now term it, written by those without substantial real-life "lean" experience. In this environment, Productivity Press' Lean Production Simplified - - A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System, by Pascal Dennis, a text by a practitioner for the practitioner, has become a standout. In fact, this status was recognized in 2006, when the book was awarded the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Research.

Now, the book that provides readers with the opportunity to see Toyota up close through the experiences of Dennis, who honed much of his lean mastery on the shop floor at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC), has been updated.

Lean Production Simplified -- A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System - 2nd Edition, covers each of the components of lean within the context of the entire lean production system. Dennis helps the reader grasp the system as a whole and the factors that animate it by organizing the book around a "house of lean production", and his straightforward, common sense approach makes this book an easily accessible "on the floor" resource for every operator.

Highlights include:

• A comprehensive view of Toyota's Lean manufacturing system
  
• A look at the origins and underlying principles of lean
  
• Identifying the goals of lean production
  
• Practical problem solving for lean production
  
• Activities that support involvement - Kaizen circles, suggestion systems and problem solving

This 2nd Edition has been updated with expanded information on:

• "Production Physics" and Little's Law - The fundamental equation for both manufacturing and service industries (cycle time=work in process/throughput)
  
• Lean Improvement Process - Stabilize, Flow, Pull, Improve the System
  
• Value Stream Thinking - Combining processes required to bring the product or service to the customer
  
• Hoshin Planning - Using "The Planning and Execution Tree" diagram
  
• A3 - How to convey information or "tell stories" using A3
  
• Strategy Development
  
• Problem Solving - including the 'Five Why' method

About the Author
Pascal Dennis is a professional engineer, author and educator with 20 years experience in manufacturing, public service and consulting engineering. He developed his lean thinking skills on the shop floor of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC), and by working with lean masters in Japan and North America.

About Productivity Press:
Productivity Press is the premier source of authoritative information on organizational improvement, offering the broadest selection of books and learning tools about lean methodologies, based on the Toyota Production System. Whether you are responsible for production, office and administrative operations or providing services, our publications offer you proven, practical strategies for increasing efficiency and capacity while eliminating waste. We are the leading source of materials for educating and training your workforce in lean. In February, 2007, Productivity Press launched its new healthcare division, Healthcare Performance Press (www.HCPpress.com).

List price is $35.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

For more information on or any of Productivity Press' other titles, call 1 (888) 319-5852 or access our online catalog at www.productivitypress.com.

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ADVANCE PRAISE FOR

Lean Production Simplified - - A Plain-Language Guide to the

World's Most Powerful Production System - 2nd Edition

By Pascal Dennis

"This book is just too important! In this age of global competition threatening to annihilate all but the very leanest, Pascal Dennis' masterwork, Lean Production Simplified - A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System, is a must-read. Midway through my career, after working at five, large North American manufacturing companies, it's absolutely crystal clear that the three which 'died' would have survived if only they'd known of and successfully implemented The Toyota Production System. Dennis is clearly North America's Ohno-san!"

--Michael A.J. Davis
Executive Vice President and Board Member
Waterville TG Inc., A subsidiary of Toyoda-Gosei

"

Lean Production Simplified goes beyond being a 'primer' for the Toyota Production System -- it is 'Lean Thinking' at its best, revealed and explained. Pascal Dennis has drawn from his own experience at Toyota to help the reader understand the meaning behind their language of success, with the why's and how's explained clearly with illustrations that include the very forms used to collect and organize data. Be prepared to have your continuous improvement / people skills honed to a higher level. Whether you're a CEO, president, vice president, manager, supervisor, leader, an engineer, HR specialist, employee or a private owner, Lean Production Simplified is not a book you will read once. It's a book you will read once and then use as a reference book to read and re-read again and again, as its content is absorbed into your area of influence."

--Bob Schroer, Lean Change Agent
Lexington, Ohio

"Lean Production Simplified is both enlightening and informative for all levels of 'lean learners'. It is written from a very human perspective. Many prior publications focus on the 'lean bag of tools' or the softer cultural aspects of lean. Dennis' contribution is a well integrated blend of both giving the reader not only a systemic understanding of lean, but also the clear skill development required for leadership at all levels. Wherever you are on your journey to lean, Lean Production Simplified will provide further knowledge and insight to help achieve the next level on the eternal path to perfection."

--Anne Stevens, Group Vice President
Canada, Mexico and South America
Ford Motor Company