Toyota's Novel Manufacturing Venture, Takumi Kobo, Pioneers in Monozukuri Innovation: Segment 1
Introducing the Takumi Kobo: A Pioneering Workshop Bridging Tradition and Modernity in Toyota's Manufacturing Process
In the heart of Toyota's head office, a unique workshop named the Takumi Kobo stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of monozukuri (the art and spirit of making things). This specialised team of master artisans combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, ensuring that Toyota's sheet metal work and overall manufacturing excellence continue to evolve.
The Takumi Kobo was proposed to carry forward and evolve traditional takumi skills, with a focus on preserving and passing down craftsmanship, integrating advanced technology, and creating new value. The artisans are not only conserving traditional methods but also actively innovating by applying their craftsmanship to new products and manufacturing challenges.
The workshop harnesses the sheet metal craftsmanship and monozukuri spirit passed down since Toyota's founding. This craftsmanship involves expert manual skills in shaping and finishing sheet metal with precision. While firmly rooted in tradition, the Takumi Kobo incorporates cutting-edge tools and processes to enhance quality and efficiency, ensuring the highest levels of finish and reliability that modern automotive manufacturing demands.
One of the key figures behind the Takumi Kobo's creation was Yuto Tanaka, Project Manager at the Technical Development & Prototype Division's Strategy and Planning Group. Tanaka, who studied the field of applied laser physics at the university level, aspired to contribute to Japanese manufacturing since his student days. He joined Toyota in 2012 and has worked with the latest technology.
Tanaka collaborated with Hitoshi Tsuchiya, a skilled sheet metal craftsperson who has won awards in national and international WorldSkills competitions. The two men began creating customer touchpoints and exploring product ideas, eventually leading to the launch of the Takumi Kobo in April 2022.
One of the most notable products to emerge from the Takumi Kobo is the optional takumi scuff plate named the Masame, which features a wood grain pattern found near the center of cedar and cypress logs. This new addition can be found on the new Century car.
The Takumi Kobo's workshop houses a diverse array of decorative metal objects, including miniature cars, bonsai, flowers, origami cranes, samurai helmets, and baseball gloves. These creations showcase the team's expertise and dedication to their craft.
The Technical Development & Prototype Division is responsible for developing the latest manufacturing methods and digital technologies, as well as producing vehicle prototypes. The Prototype Body Production Section, a key part of this division, strives to bring the underlying skills behind sheet metal craftsmanship into the future through various initiatives.
In summary, the Takumi Kobo is a unique fusion of traditional Japanese artisan techniques and modern manufacturing technology, serving as a vital asset that maintains Toyota’s global manufacturing leadership by embodying the monozukuri philosophy at the "genba" (the production site). The team's efforts have been endorsed by Oyaji Kawai, who wrote the Takumi Kobo logo.
Handmade sheet metal craftsmanship is still important in today's car manufacturing, as it allows for the creation of forms beyond the capabilities of press machines. The Takumi Kobo continues to carry forward this tradition, ensuring that Toyota's vehicles remain symbols of quality, craftsmanship, and innovation.
[1] Source: Toyota Motor Corporation Press Release, April 2022.
- The Takumi Kobo blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology in Toyota's manufacturing process, ensuring the evolution of their sheet metal work and overall excellence.
- Yuto Tanaka, a Project Manager at Toyota, collaborated with Hitoshi Tsuchiya, a skilled sheet metal craftsperson, to create the Takumi Kobo, which launched in April 2022.
- One of the products from the Takumi Kobo is the optional takumi scuff plate named the Masame, which can be found on the new Century car.
- The Takumi Kobo's efforts, endorsed by Oyaji Kawai, uphold the monozukuri philosophy by combining handmade sheet metal craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technology, maintaining Toyota’s global manufacturing leadership.
