Which company is credited with popularizing the lean manufacturing methodology?

The company credited with popularizing the lean manufacturing methodology is Toyota. This approach, known as the Toyota Production System (TPS), emphasizes the elimination of waste, continuous improvement, and the efficiency of processes. Toyota's successful implementation of lean principles transformed manufacturing practices not only in the automotive industry but also influenced various sectors across the globe.

The Toyota Production System introduced concepts such as Just-In-Time production and Jidoka, which means automatic quality control. These practices allowed Toyota to respond quickly to changes in market demand while maintaining high quality and low costs. As a result, the methodologies developed by Toyota have become fundamental components of lean manufacturing, leading to the widespread adoption of these principles in many industries beyond automotive manufacturing.

Companies like Ford Motor Company and General Motors have their own manufacturing philosophies, but they did not develop or promote lean manufacturing to the extent that Toyota did. Boeing, on the other hand, has implemented lean principles in their processes, but they were not a pioneering force in the origin of lean manufacturing as Toyota was. Thus, Toyota's role in shaping and popularizing lean practices is significant, making it the correct answer.