We were up very early because we had to be at the Toyota plant in southern San Antonio by 8:45. We were joined by the administrative team from Shell Oil as we took a very interesting tour through the plant that produces a new Tundra or Tacoma pickup every minute. This is a picture of the first pickup that rolled off the San Antonio production line on November 17, 2006.
There are no pictures allowed inside the plant, but we heard and saw the "just in time" production line up close as we rode trams through most of the processes.
Even if you aren't lucky enough to get to schedule a plant tour, the museum at the plant is very interesting. It has good displays and video presentations that explain the Toyota process and history. We learned that the company founder's name was actually "Toyoda". They changed the spelling because to write the word "Toyota" in Japanese took 8 strokes, which "suggests increasing prosperity." Even when retired, we are learning things!
Here's a picture of Mark with the earliest pickup that Toyota made. Does anyone remember the Stout?
We stopped by Olive Garden for lunch, then on to one of the most famous shoe factories in the country. SAS is one of the few companies that make their shoes in the United States, and they also have a great factory tour! They take you on the production line and you get to touch and see each step of the shoe manufacturing process, and talk to the workers. Don't expect huge machines and automation. These shoes are made one-by-one by hand. We were amazed that the workers we talked to had been working there from 22-35 years! Again, no pictures were allowed in the factory. But the general store beside the factory is very picturesque!
SAS stands for San Antonio Shoes, but our tour guide said she heard is stands for "Sexy After Sixty." Known by their customers for being very comfortable, we usually think of them as very utilitarian black and brown lace-ups. This picture proves that their basic style has exploded into colors!
They also hand-make children's shoes that are very cute.
Mark's favorite part of the general store was the ice cream shoppe. Their prices are ridiculously low, so if you just need a snack, it's also a great place to stop. Popcorn is 5 cents per bag, and fountain drinks are ten cents! Mark found that a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a coke will make a wicked good coke float!
You might notice the SAS sack in Denisa's hand. She is officially a baby boomer because she bought her first pair of SAS today. Actually, Mark spotted a pair of black shoes that looked a lot like the dancing shoes that Denisa literally danced the soles off last month. They seem to be very comfortable!
It was a great morning of factory tours, and we would recommend both stops!
In my work life I was a HR Director. A professional association I belonged to did various factory tours each year. Ford, Seagram's, Harley Davidson, and lots more. Always fun and informative.
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