Kamigo Factory's Initiatives to Bridge History with Future Generations
**Celebrating Six Decades of Innovation: Toyota's Kamigo Plant**
In 1964, the seeds of a pioneering force in engine manufacturing were sown in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, with the birth of the Kamigo Plant. The plant, spanning 900,000 square metres and employing approximately 3,700 workers, marked the beginning of Japan's first dedicated engine plant.
The Kamigo Plant was designed with a vision to integrate the production of engines and transmissions from casting to assembly, focusing on efficiency and utilising the latest technology to reduce labor requirements. Construction began in October 1964, and the plant officially started operations in September 1965, with the first Type M engine produced that month.
Since its inception, the Kamigo Plant has consistently specialised in engine production, playing a crucial role in Toyota's expansion by increasing production capacity and adopting advanced manufacturing technologies. Over the years, the plant has continued to evolve by incorporating new technologies, focusing on quality, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
The plant's history and evolution reflect Toyota's commitment to innovation, efficiency, and quality, setting it apart as a pioneering force in engine manufacturing both in Japan and globally. As the plant celebrates six decades of operation, it continues to be a vital part of Toyota's strategy for innovation and growth.
The Kamigo Plant produces engines for various models such as the Corolla, HiAce, Prius, and JPN Taxi. The plant's core concept, set out in 1964, included the relocation of the Honsha Plant's block and head casting, and aluminum parts casting from Motomachi, and the adoption of the latest equipment and a good working environment.
Visitors to the plant include Toyota employees and personnel from other parts of the Toyota Group, who come to learn about the origins and concepts of the Toyota Production System. A section called "TPS no Sato (Home of TPS)" has been established within the Kamigo Plant since 2017, focusing on hands-on learning experiences and the evolution of the Toyota Production System.
The focus of "TPS no Sato" is to allow people to understand the history and evolution of the Toyota Production System, with an emphasis on unraveling black boxes and understanding the original purpose of systems like the andon and kanban. Tomihisa Saito, the current general manager of the Kamigo Plant, joined Toyota in 1976 and has been overseeing both the Kamigo and Shimoyama plants since.
Saito expresses his admiration for the kaizen culture at the Kamigo Plant, particularly among the younger employees. He recalls that failures were met with encouragement to try again, and improvements were made at a rapid pace. Saito's management philosophy emphasises the importance of kaizen, a continuous improvement process, which he believes is the strength of the Kamigo Plant.
The Kamigo Plant's legacy and future directions lie in its continued focus on integrating technology, improving manufacturing processes, and maintaining its position as a leader in the automotive industry. As the plant moves forward, it carries with it the spirit of innovation, efficiency, and dedication to quality that have defined Toyota's manufacturing ethos for six decades.
- Engine production at the Kamigo Plant, a pioneering force in manufacturing, has significantly contributed to the finance sector by supplying efficient and high-quality engines for various Toyota models, such as the Corolla, HiAce, Prius, and JPN Taxi.
- As technology advancements continue to shape the industry, the Kamigo Plant, with its focus on adopting new technologies, quality, and environmental sustainability, is poised to remain a key player in the global automotive technology landscape.
