On February 26th, 2025, WMCO hosted its annual Toyota Cambridge Plant Tour, an exclusive opportunity for manufacturing members to experience world-class Lean Manufacturing in action. The day began with a visit to Toyota’s Experience Center, where members engaged with interactive displays and learned about key Lean concepts before embarking on the plant tour. Participants were given a primer on what to observe regarding Lean activities and process efficiencies that could be applied to their own operations.
The tour itself provided a firsthand look at how Toyota Team Members and advanced robotics collaborate to build vehicles efficiently. Attendees observed the seamless integration of “custom mass production,” where a diverse range of parts and colors converge in final assembly, ensuring both customization and efficiency. Throughout the facility, clear visual communications and structured workflows demonstrated the impact of Lean principles, including the widely adopted 5S methodology.
Following the tour, WMCO members gathered at Edelweiss Tavern for a networking lunch and a Lean debrief discussion. Members shared their observations and takeaways from the tour, discussing how they could implement similar process improvements in their own operations. The conversation was lively and engaging, reinforcing the value of continuous learning and Lean adaptation in the wood manufacturing sector
Events like these remind us that Lean isn’t just about reducing costs—it’s about innovation, adaptability, and creating a culture of excellence that continuously evolves. WMCO is proud to offer these experiences to our members, helping to inspire and drive improvement in our industry.
Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the discussions. WMCO remains committed to providing members with valuable industry insights and learning opportunities, ensuring that the journey of continuous improvement never ends.
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