Leading the Toyota Way: Join us in Columbus, Indiana!

Presented by the Lean Leadership Academy

Are you struggling to get your leadership engaged in your Lean transformation?
Do you wonder what Toyota looks for in an operational leader—or whether Toyota uses Leader Standard Work? If your organization is focused on recruiting, developing, and retaining highly engaged Lean leaders—from the shop floor to the C-suite—then this workshop is for you.

What You’ll Learn & Experience:

• Live Toyota Production System Gemba Walk at Toyota Material Handling, our workshop host and partner since 2012
• Daily Management Obeya ("Adrenaline Room") tour and operations deep dive
• Conversations with Toyota executives, shop floor leaders, and senior management about their roles, responsibilities, and routines
• Toyota's approach to Leader Standard Work, Daily Management, and Leadership Development
• Hands-on learning with the Toyota Way to Lead workbook
• Click here for workshop agenda and hotel information

Who Should Attend

This program is ideal for:

• CEOs, COOs, Chief People Officers, and senior HR and operations leaders
• Corporate Lean Directors, Plant Managers, and people leaders at every level
• Professionals responsible for Succession Planning and Leadership Pipeline Development
• Highly engaged Lean leaders seeking to invest in their growth and capability

Workshop Dates:

June 24–26, 2025 (All times Eastern)

June 27, 2025 (Aisin Facility Tour)

Workshop Location:
Hampton Inn Columbus/Taylorsville
12161 N US 31, Edinburgh, IN 46124 (25 miles from Indianapolis Intl airport)

Toyota Tour & Workshop Location:
Toyota Material Handling
5559 Inwood Drive, Columbus, IN (14 miles from hotel)

Facility Tour Location:

Aisin USA Mfg., Inc.
1700 East Fourth Street, Seymour, IN 47274 (16 miles from hotel - one hour from Aisin to Indianapolis Intl Airport)

Workshop Fee:

MWCC Members: $3,120 per person (includes 4% credit card processing fee)

– Pay $3,000 if paying by check

Non-Members: $3,588 per person (includes 4% credit card processing fee)

– Pay $3,450 if paying by check

MWCC will reimburse 50% of the fee for up to 10 participants.

Note: Pizza Social evening of Day 1.  Lunch is provided on Days 1-3.  The fee does not include travel, lodging, or local transportation.

Ready to Lead the Toyota Way?
Spots are limited—join us for this transformative experience and bring back the mindset, skills, and structure to lead your Lean journey with confidence.

Meet Your Instructors

Sam McPherson
Sam McPherson is the President of the Lean Leadership Academy, where he develops leaders capable of driving successful Lean transformations. He facilitates Toyota Gemba walking tours and conducts workshops on the Toyota Management System. An internationally recognized authority on leadership, leader development, and operational excellence, Sam was trained as a Toyota Scholar at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky from 1993 to 1995. He is a certified trainer through the Toyota Institute and a Shingo Institute Faculty Fellow. Sam continues to support Toyota and its Tier One and Tier Two suppliers as well as alternative suppliers across multiple industries. His career includes leadership roles ranging from plant manager to COO and president. Sam is a retired combat veteran and former U.S. Army Special Forces commander.

Tom Lego
Toyota Brand Ambassador, Toyota Material Handling
With deep knowledge of Toyota’s history and approach, Tom brings brand and product expertise from the award-winning TMH plant in Columbus, IN.

About the Lean Leadership Academy

Founded in 2004, the Academy specializes in developing Lean organizational leadership based on Toyota’s management system. Programs are designed to help organizations build Lean leadership pipelines, implement Lean management operating systems, and foster cultures of excellence.

About Toyota Material Handling

Toyota Material Handling is the #1 forklift manufacturer in North America and winner of Assembly Magazine’s Plant of the Year Award. Known as a benchmark in Lean manufacturing, the TMH facility in Columbus, IN, showcases world-class mixed model manufacturing and Toyota Production System practices. This experience brings classroom learning to life.