BookTitleToyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Summary

Toyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Attack 21, leap to the world (January 1986)Toyoda Tsusho further expanded its role when this medium-term plan was beingpromoted in July 1982 as Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., and Toyota Motor Sales Co.,Ltd., merged to form the new TMC.In 1986, the company set“Attack 21, leap to the world”as its new slogan, andset its sales target for fiscal 1988 at two trillion yen. The yen appreciated rapidlydue to the Plaza Accord in 1985, and the strong yen made for difficult times.However, the company aimed for a new leap forward based on the following fourpolicies:1. Enhancement of domestic transactions2. Response to internationalization3. Development of new products and new fields4. Kaizen (continuous improvement) of structureMerger of Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. and ToyotaMotor Sales Co.3 Promotion of Business Innovation ActivitiesUnder the medium-term management plan, Toyoda Tsusho started businessinnovation activities aimed at strengthening the corporate structure. The firstinitiative was the TS movement, the company’s first company-wide movement,which began in July 1980. The“T”stands for Toyoda Tsusho and the“S”standsfor sorting, straightening, saving, sanitary, safety, speedy, smart, and sweep. Thismovement continued until March 1983. It was developed under the TS MovementPromotion Committee and seven specialist subcommittees with the aim of costeffectiveness,including reductions in expenses and streamlining of office work.In July 1983, Toyoda Tsusho started company-wide TQC (total quality control)activities. The QC Executive Committee was set up and followed by a FunctionalCommittee (later board of directors by function) established to ensure thoroughQC education through in-house training. In 1984, QC consultation meetings,department training sessions, and deputy general manager workshops were heldfor each department, and from 1985 Toyoda Tsusho endeavored to enhanceeducation at each level, complete the QC education system for all levels, andprepare manuals. In addition, external training, QC circle improvement casepresentations, annual QC slogan recruitment, QC lectures, and TQC roundtablemeetings were held. In January 1988, the TQC Promotion Office was established,TQC activities78