Toyota names Jotul North America as a showcase company
For the last five years, Toyota Production System Support coaches have worked to help Jøtul transform its manufacturing facility into a world-class “Just-in-Time” system.
Gorham Maine - Jøtul is named one of only three companies in North America to be a Toyota Showcase Company.
For the last five years, Toyota Production System Support coaches have worked to help Jøtul transform its manufacturing facility into a world-class “Just-in-Time” system. With the objective of making heating stoves as quickly and efficiently as possible, this production control system has allowed Jøtul to improve efficiencies, expand capacity and free up additional space. “Becoming a Toyota Showcase Company is an honor and a true testament to the hard work of our manufacturing team,” said President Bret Watson. “This has been a long journey, and we still have much to accomplish. We are taking what we learned in manufacturing and implementing it into our warehousing and logistics for an additional project with Toyota.”
Often touted as the gold standard of “Just in Time” manufacturing, Toyota has mastered the art ever since Kiichiro Toyoda developed it in the 1930s. With a focus on small changes that make a big difference, the Toyota Production System creates a culture adept at problem-solving, safety, quality, and minimizing down-time.
“In these turbulent times, it is important that we can remain flexible. We have been able to absorb price increases and labor shortages while increasing the number of stoves we did pre-Covid,” said Watson.
About Jøtul North America:
The company was founded in Maine in 1980. The parent company, Jøtul AS, was founded in Norway in 1853; Jøtul stoves have been imported to the U.S. since the early 1970s.
In the mid-1980s, Jøtul North America pioneered the U.S. gas hearth products market with its freestanding gas stove – the Jøtul J 100. In 1998, Jøtul North America's Maine facility began the final assembly of the product line of gas stoves and inserts. In 2005, Jøtul North America moved into its current facility and added sheet metal fabrication on two shifts. Wood stove production was added in 2016 and cast machining was added in 2018.
Today Jøtul North America employs over 100 people and produces over 16,000 units annually.
