David Chao

About

David Koichi Chao is the president of a unique company called Lean Sensei International, which offers hands-on, specialized “coaching” to companies taking the Lean Agile Journey towards world-class operation. He helps companies develop cutting edge strategy for becoming a lean and agile organization, while delivering proven, highly effective methodologies around TPS (Toyota Production System). As a professional engineer with extensive Canadian, U.S., and international industry experience, he has assisted numerous organizations achieve their goals. In addition, he is a frequent speaker at various international lean conferences, including those hosted by both AME (Association for Manufacturing Excellence) and SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers). Mr. Chao is considered one of the foremost experts of applying and implementing Toyota Production System and Toyota Way and is a recognized and certified specialist. Mr. Chao has received top rankings at many of these lean conferences. Mr. Chao’s very first appreciation of lean started when he began working for a Toyota Supplier in Japan. Mr. Chao was one of the very first person involved in bringing Japan-derived Lean Manufacturing & Lean thinking principles to Canada from Japan. As the first employee of GM/Suzuki joint venture operation in Ontario, he was instrumental in “North Americanizing” the Japanese-style lean programs when the word “lean” was still unknown. GM/Suzuki plant was the first “lean plant” in Canada. Since the Suzuki joint venture, Mr. Chao worked in project management engineering for Toyota and other Japanese companies, and were involved in numerous “milestone” projects including the setup of Toyota’s CAPTIN aluminum wheel plant in Delta, BC. Later on, Mr. Chao utilized his extensive lean experience and knowledge to become an advisor for various North American companies through CapGemini Ernst & Young, where he was one of the key leaders responsible for lean/supply chain projects. He also held a position as the Managing Director of British Columbia Consortium for Manufacturing Excellence for several years. Mr. Chao was born and raised in Japan, and therefore fluent in Japanese.