Toyota Forklifts - The Industry Standard

As the undisputed market leader worldwide, Toyota forklifts division sets the standard for the material handling industry. With 20% of worldwide forklifts bearing the Toyota brand and an impressive list of achievements, this is a manufacturer that every forklift fleet owner knows well.

For decades Toyota Material Handling, USA, Inc. was based in Irvine California but recently transferred the corporate offices to Columbus Indiana, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation.

A Tradition of Excellence

Source: Toyota Products Catalog See Original

THMU serves as the U.S. distributor of all Toyota tow tractors and lift trucks. It also is the exclusive distributor for Aichi aerial work platforms, and has a dealer network with over 200 locations.

Toyota's hard-earned position as the standard-bearer in this competitive field has its foundation anchored solidly at the Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Inc. facility in Columbus, Indiana. This plant continuously wins awards for its world-class quality and performance. The most significant award came in 2010, recognized as the best manufacturing plant in the U.S. It is ISO 14001 compliant and recognized as environmentally sound as a zero-landfill facility. Additionally, it is was the first and remains the only manufacturer that produces EPA and CARB-certified Compressed Natural Gas powered lift trucks.

Source: Toyota Products Catalog See Original

The Toyota Industrial Equipment line up includes:

• Internal Combustion Cushion Tire Forklifts
  • 8 Series (3,000 lbs to 6,500 lbs)
  • 7 Series Large Capacity (8,000 lbs to 15,500 lbs)
• Internal Combustion Pneumatic Tire Forlifts
  • 8 Series in (3,000 lbs to 6,500 lbs.)
  • 7 Series Large Capacity (8,000 lbs - 17,500 lbs)
  • Large Capacity (22,000 lbs --51,000 lbs)
• Electric Forklifts
  • 7 Series Electric 3 Wheel (3,000 lbs to 4,000 lbs)
  • 7 Series Electric 4 Wheel (3,000 lbs to 3,500 lbs)
  • 8 Series Electric (4,000 lbs to 6,500 lbs)
  • 7 Series Large Capacity Electric (8,000 lbs to 12,000)
• Electric Motor Pallet Jacks / Walkies/Stackers
  • 7 Series Electric Stand Up Forklift (3,000 lbs to 4000 lbs)
• Reach Forklifts: Both double and single, from 3,000 lbs to 4,500 lbs.
• Order Pickers: 3,000 lbs capacity lifts up to 25 feet
• Tow Tractors: Both electric & diesel from 3,300 lbs capacity to 10,000 lbs.

Designed to provide visibility, advanced ergonomics, proven productivity, and unmatched durability, Toyota's forklifts lead the market in these areas. A priority with every product is the application of the industry's standard-setting safety technology. This includes the System of Active Stability that reduces risks of accidents and injuries. It accomplishes this by minimizing potential for product or equipment damage. These efforts produce increased productivity from a customer's investment in Toyota material handling equipment.

System-Of-Active-Stability

The SAS (System-Of-Active-Stability) technology uses sensors for numerous factors that might produce lateral instability and introduce the risk of lateral overturn. When readings indicate it is necessary, SAS will stabilize the rear axle, and reduce or eliminate risk of lateral overturn. First introduced in 1999, the SAS technology earns Toyota the enviable position as the industry leader for safety. SAS is now integrated into Toyota's internal combustion models. As an additional element of its ongoing commitment to total safety, the company provides extensive Operator Safety Training programs for customers to meet and exceed OSHA standard 1910.178.

Quality Products

Though Toyota forklift is a relative newcomer to the lift truck business (they introduced their first product and dealership in the U.S. in 1967) this did not stop them from claiming the number one market position in North America by 2002. Originally founded in 1937, Toyota is one of the largest conglomerates in the world with a rich history and innovative culture that allows such stunning success. The company is known first for its Toyota Production System that focuses on quality, durability and reliability in all products manufactured. Its size, however, bears strong witness to that reputation. Just a few of its vital statistics include:

• Over 300,000 employees worldwide
• Third-largest automobile manufacturer
• Eleventh-largest company in the world by revenue
• Produced 200 millionth vehicle in 2012

With a company such as Toyota, there is a tendency to take its reputation as a source of quality and superior product performance for granted. To add a little perspective to the company's remarkable accomplishments in the material handling market, a few dates and statistics are helpful.

• 1956 - The first Toyota lift truck, Model LA 1-ton, makes its debut in Japan.
• 1967 - The first U.S. dealer is established and the first lift truck sale in the U.S.
• One in five forklifts sold in the U.S.A. is a Toyota
• 1967 - First electric counterbalanced forklift truck production
• 1985 - Records 500,000th lift truck sale
• 1990 - The Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) facility in Columbus, Indiana opens
• 1995 - Records 1,000,000th lift truck sale
• 1999 - System of Active Stability first introduced
• 2000 - Toyota becomes first lift truck manufacturer offering AC Powered Technology
• 2000 - Worldwide network of forklift dealers reaches 699 in 169 countries
• 2002 - Begins reign as the Number One lift truck company in North America
• 2008 - Adds AICHI scissor, wheeled and crawler lifts as exclusive U.S. distributor
• 2008 - Forklift production exceeds 2 million cumulative units manufactured and sold
• 2010 - TIEM selected as the top manufacturing plant in the U.S.
• 2011 - Modern Materials magazine acknowledges Toyota as the largest supplier of forklifts in the world.
• 2012 - U.S. Network of 73 authorized Toyota dealers in 224 locations
• 2012 - Worldwide, one of every five lift trucks sold is a Toyota

Toyota's long history of success finds expression as a by-product of its corporate Vision Statement: "To retain our leadership position as the most successful and respected material handling solutions provider to customers." It takes eight strokes to write the name Toyota in Japanese katakana. It is considered lucky because of those eight strokes. Perhaps that is why the founding family of Toyota, the Toyoda clan, chose this variation. This, coupled with their long tradition of commitment to excellence (known to the Japanese concept as "kaizen", or continuous improvement) has helped shape this grand company. It is clear that Toyota forklifts is a brand that will continue to lead the pack for the foreseeable future.