Shingo, whose work at Toyota led to Just in Time Manufacturing, teaches how to implement non-stock production in JIT operations. The culmination of his extensive writings on production and improvement, this book provides a companion to his other landmark books on key elements of JIT, including SMED and poka-yoke. He covers basic concepts for improving production, and in examining various production systems, exposes fundamental flaws in European and American production philosophies. He also delves into the scientific thinking mechanism, and discusses production functions in both authorized stock production and non-stock production environments.