akzonobel car refinishes americas and toyota motor sales, usa have agreed to combine experience and resources surrounding process improvement methods for collision repair operations, resulting in the toyota production system for collision (tps-c).

the endeavor weaves the process centered environment methodology, launched by akzonobel in 2008, and the experiences of toyota’s production system, into a cohesive design, the companies said. preliminary training began in august at the toyota certified collision centers national performance group meeting in san antonio, texas.

the program was introduced to approximately 100 toyota collision center personnel. fifteen pilot locations have been selected. led by akzonobel, they will go through a series of classes and onsite process improvement activities beginning in november 2010. at full implementation, the tps-c initiative will deliver training and consulting services to all toyota and lexus certified collision centers to ensure uniform practices.

“it is difficult to pick up any publication today without seeing an article as to how lean, six sigma or theory of constraints is being employed in collision repair,” said roger foss, national field support manager for toyota motor sales usa. “each of these concepts has their merits; but, they are just that, concepts. the tps-c program is unique in that we have transformed concepts into real world actions and tools resulting in a clearly defined methodology specifically for collision repair. we have decided that as a longstanding business partner, akzonobel had the resources to help us implement our shared vision of process improvement. ”

“tomorrow’s answers today is the promise akzonobel makes to the markets that we serve,” said a.b. ghosh, general manager for akzonobel car refinishes americas.  “toyota’s success in the automobile business in part can be attributed to tps, the toyota production system. we are delighted to be a part of this relationship, which delivers the benefits of tps-c to the toyota certified collision centers."