Here at Toyota Material Handling, we endeavor to produce great products to serve our customers. For more than 50 years, our forklifts have supported a variety of industries. Along the way, we have celebrated many milestones and commemorated several of these special moments with forklifts, which are on display on campus in Columbus, IN!

The First Toyota Forklift sold in the U.S.A.

This Toyota Forklift was the first truck sold in the United States in 1967. It was sold to a grape harvester in California, and was in operation for almost 25 years before being tracked down. It took another five years to negotiate returning it to Toyota’s campus and included the trade of a brand new forklift to replace Mr. Anderson’s 30-year old forklift. This truck serves as a great reminder for us here at TMH of where we started, and how far we’ve come.

1^st Toyota built in Columbus, IN

In 1990, Toyota Material Handling started manufacturing lifts here in Columbus, IN. This blue and orange 5-series forklift was the first to roll off the line on May 10, 1990, memorializing a start to manufacturing trucks in the United States. The Columbus, IN facility was originally established to support North American requirements, but today, this facility is builds forklifts which are shipped all over the world.

1^st Toyota Designed in Columbus, IN

While this truck looks like a normal forklift, this 8-series 1-ton electric forklift was the first model that was completely designed, engineered, and manufactured at our North American headquarters.

25^th Anniversary of Toyota Assembled in the USA

Toyota has been assembling forklifts in the USA since 1990, and we created this special design, that resembles the U.S. flag, in May of 2015 to celebrate 25 years of manufacturing in the United States. We have produced over 750,000 forklifts in North America, and we continue to enjoy our strong partnerships throughout the country. If you see a Toyota forklift working in your local community, chances are, that forklift was assembled here as well.

Toyotas 50^th anniversary

In 2017, TMH celebrated their 50th anniversary of the first Toyota forklift sold in the U.S. by assembling a golden forklift. It was a special celebration for dealers and associates here in Columbus, IN. The Columbus plant was the first Toyota forklift factory outside of Japan to produce material handling equipment and now produces approximately 180 forklifts a day. When speaking about the special day, Brett Wood said:

“Fifty years represents a golden achievement in the U.S. and today we honored the Associates, the dealers, our suppliers, and the community who supported TMHU’s journey to this major milestone. This ceremony underscored our legacy here in the U.S., but it was also designed to give a glimpse into the future of Toyota Forklifts’ ongoing leadership and growth in the rapidly changing material handling and logistics industry.”

Veteran’s Day Forklift

In 2020, Toyota Material Handling manufactured the Veteran’s Day forklift to show our appreciation to all veterans. This camouflage truck even has a dedication plate on the back with the names of over 50 TMH associates who have served or are currently serving our country. This was just a small tribute from Toyota to show how much we appreciate everything our veterans have done and will continue to do moving forward.

Toyota Material Handling values the men and women who use our products to complete their daily work. We strive to respect them by delivering safe, efficient, durable and cost-effective products that help them, “Carry the Load.” 

A Revolutionary Approach to Your Energy Needs

What powers your operation now? What energy sources will keep your business moving efficiently and cost-effectively in the future?

However you answer these questions, Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions is our promise to continually be at the forefront of new technological development, providing reliable solutions for your ever-evolving energy needs.

As you work to optimize your fleet amid increasing environmental standards and throughput expectations, Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions is your partner at every step of the journey. We deliver service and expertise — as only Toyota can — through our commitment to quality, forward-thinking innovation, and the support of the largest dealer network in North America.

Here are five tools and services Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions offers you:

1)    On-Site Consultation for Forklift Energy Solutions

Toyota Forklift dealers offer free, on-site consultation services to help identify the best practices and energy management solutions that will work for you.

Utilizing the resources made exclusively available through Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions, Toyota dealers are uniquely positioned to optimize your operation with the latest technological innovations tested and approved by Toyota, such as:

• Toyota’s first-to-market UL-E/EE approved sit-down forklift and lithium-ion battery combination
• Our more than 50 tested and approved alternative energy source models across electric rider forklifts, electric narrow aisle lifts, and warehouse equipment

2)    Electric Forklift Batteries and Alternative Energy Sources

An extensive selection of lead acid and TPPL batteries, as well as approved alternative energy sources (including lithium-ion batteries), allows Toyota to uniquely pair up the best forklifts in the industry with the most efficient and cost-effective power sources. Some of the potential benefits include:

• Increased charging efficiency
• Higher, more stable voltage supply
• Reduced maintenance
• Eliminate battery storage areas and charging equipment
• Increased cycle and shelf life

3)    Forklift Battery Chargers & Accessories

Your Toyota Forklift dealer can help you increase energy efficiency and lower operational cost — simply by matching your chosen energy source with an optimal charger! They’ll use battery monitoring equipment to pinpoint efficiencies that can be gained through an appropriate battery/charger combination.

Some charger considerations include:

• Frequency – Higher-frequency charges, which increase charge rates and can allow for opportunity and fast charging.
• Energy Efficiency – Converting power from your facility with greater energy efficiency can lower your electric bill.
• Multi-Voltage – Chargers with multiple voltage capabilities can reduce the total number of chargers needed.
• Smart Functionality – Wireless communication and other smart functionality can allow expert control of charging efficiency and timing.
• Size & Weight – Smaller, lighter-weight chargers can decrease your storage footprint and are easier to move.

4)    Service & Repair with Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions

Peace of mind. That’s what you get with Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions — because you’ll know:

• 3,500+ expertly trained Toyota Certified Technicians are at the ready to minimize your downtime — not only on your equipment, but on the energy sources that power them.
• You’ve got a variety of alternative energy source options that have been tested and approved by Toyota as compatible with your forklift’s electrical systems.
• Your equipment’s warranty will remain intact should you choose a Toyota-approved alternative energy source for power.

5)    Environmental Support

Keeping up with increasingly stringent emissions regulations has never been simpler. Your Toyota Forklift dealer can assist you with CARB fleet averaging and optimizing your product mix to fit your unique application and regulatory needs.

Dillon Toyota Lift can help you apply and benefit from the energy-saving and waste-reducing practices Toyota is known for, including lean thinking and the Toyota Production System. 

Original Post: Shannon Potelicki, Content & Communications Copywriter, Toyota Material Handling

1. • A History of Excellence and Leadership: Toyota’s forklift division began in 1956 in Japan with the introduction of the first Toyota forklift. Today, Toyota is the world leader in forklift sales.

• • Safety Innovation: Toyota introduced the world’s first and only System of Active Stability (SAS). The system electronically monitors the forklift’s operations to help reduce the likelihood of both lateral and longitudinal tip-overs.

• • Technical Innovation: In 2000, Toyota became the first major forklift manufacturer in the United States to offer AC technology to provide high performance and efficiency. The AC motor contains no springs, brushes, commutators or directional contractors, making is virtually maintenance free.

• • #1 in Quality, Durability, Reliability, Value and Lowest Cost of Ownership: Toyota forklifts are ranked number one in numerous studies conducted by Peerless Research Group.

• • More Than a Forklift Manufacturer, Toyota is a Full-Line Supplier: In addition to a full line of high-quality forklifts, Toyota offers other industrial equipment products including narrow aisle solutions, walkie stackers, automated guided vehicles (AGV’s) and tow tractors.

Industrial jobs call for moving large objects in unanticipated locations. As a manager or operator, it can be frustrating when one-size fits-all heavy lifting rigging equipment fails to actually fit.

Indoor industrial jobs sometimes call for moving materials that don’t adhere to the traditional applications of cranes and other rigging apparatuses. These machines are great for lifting and setting down steel beams, heavy pieces of equipment, shipping containers, and other objects that will be primarily used outdoors or in building construction. But for indoor jobs, you might need to move objects into tight spaces. Traditionally, high-capacity, indoor jobs can be completed using a heavy duty forklift. But what happens when the object you’re moving doesn’t fit the common specifications associated with pallets, containers, or even other objects with consistent specs (like steel sheets, pipes, or lumber)? You might need to move heavy manufacturing equipment or heavy-duty machinery. So what do you do when that object does not comply with the lifting capacity or recommended load center for your traditional forklift or other material handling equipment?

Heavy Lifting Rigging Equipment: Finding a Forklift that Works

Luckily, the right forklift can work as heavy lifting rigging equipment if it comes equipped with a telescopic boom used to rig materials. For example, Toyota’s High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase comes standard with a telescopic boom that can rig materials for movement indoors. The forks can quickly be removed and replaced with the boom, meaning you’ll be able to move materials as efficiently as possible.

Once your uncommonly-shaped material is rigged, moving into tight, indoor spaces will be an easier process as a result. And for even tighter fits, having an adjustable wheelbase on the Toyota can be a major benefit, since the High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase allows you to extend and retract the wheelbase while also adding or removing counterweight slabs to increase and decrease load capacity. This can be a major benefit as long as the weight and shape of the material you’re moving falls within the recommendations at the specific wheelbase length and amount of counterweight slabs.

Remote control operation can also be an excellent feature when moving this type of material or manufacturing equipment, another option offered on the High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase. Remote capability means you can get out of the operator cab in order to ensure you have an improved view of the awkward object you’re moving and other objects in the facility (like racking or other machinery).

But why buy this expensive product for a one or two-time a year movement? Not to worry; forklifts with rigging capability like the Toyota High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase are prevalent in the rental market. As long as you are an operator or can employ an operator who has been trained to handle such a machine, you’ll be able to get one on site, move your object, and send it away quickly, so you can get back to doing whatever it is that you do best.

Original Post: Jake Stewart, Digital Marketing Specialist, Toyota Material Handling USA

Sakichi Toyoda, born in 1867, was the son of Ikichi and Ei Toyoda. From an early age, Sakichi had a passion for learning and a desire to contribute to society through the creation of new and useful inventions. Through hard work and perseverance, he quickly become known as a prominent inventor in Japan after obtaining patents for the Toyoda wooden hand loom and Toyoda power loom.

Over the years, Sakichi continued to invent more sophisticated and advanced looms and eventually established Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd. in 1926. Although their primary function was the invention and manufacture of looms, the company had larger aspirations of broader research and inventions outside of the textile industry. This drive is what led to the company’s significant business diversification efforts that resulted in the eventual design and production of engines, automobiles, air compressors, and, of course, forklifts.

Toyoda began development of their first lift truck in 1955 and by 1956, the model LA 1-ton internal combustion engine counterbalanced forklift was launched through Toyota Motor Sales Co. (currently Toyota Motor Corporation). The name change from “Toyoda” to “Toyota” actually occurred because the latter can be written with eight strokes in Japanese katakana and eight is regarded as a lucky number in East Asian culture.

The lift truck market grew rapidly in the 1960’s, and in 1970 Toyota established a dedicated factory for production of industrial vehicles in Takahama, Japan on an over 1 million square foot parcel of land. This facility is still used to this day as Toyota forklift’s headquarters and main manufacturing facility. In 1970, Toyota systemized the Toyota Production System (TPS) based on two main ideologies: “Just-in-Time” and “Jidoka (automation with a human touch)”. While TPS has evolved over time, it is currently a world renowned philosophy that is practiced at all Toyota production facilities across the world.

Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, more diversified products began to be designed and manufactured including diesel and electric forklifts, models with lift capacities up to 40 tons, and even an extensive lineup of forklift attachments and options. Increasing global demand for these products led to the first Toyota forklift sale in the United States in 1967.

As the number of exports to the US grew, the need for an overseas manufacturing facility became apparent. In 1988, Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) was established as a joint venture with Toyota Motor Sales in Columbus, Indiana with production beginning in 1990. By 1995, Toyota forklift production had reached 1 million units globally and was still going strong. The acquisition of BT Industries AB of Sweden and introduction of the world’s first AC powered electric forklift in 2000 further bolstered sales and market share.

In order to unify manufacturing and marketing and sales operations, Toyota Material Handling was established in 2001 under Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) with separate divisions across the globe, including Toyota Material Handling, USA (TMHU) in North America. That same year, Toyota attained first place in global market share and by 2002 had also attained first place in US market share, both distinctions that are still held to this day.

In April of 2006, Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG) was created to facilitate integration of Toyota Material Handling and BT Industries Group. This joint venture improved global competitiveness and allowed the companies to realize synergies by mutually supplying each other’s products, engaging in joint development, reorganizing sales and service networks, and sharing production expertise.

These synergies allowed Toyota to continue to position itself as a true full line supplier of material handling equipment. Reach trucks, order pickers, tuggers, pallet jacks, and more joined Toyota’s line up of premier sit-down counterbalanced products throughout the 2000’s. In 2003, the AICHI Corporation became a subsidiary of Toyota, adding a diverse offering of aerial work platforms and construction equipment to the product mix. Cascade Corporation, the world leader in design and manufacture of material handling attachments and accessories, was later acquired in 2013.

In addition to being a full line supplier of material handling equipment, Toyota also continues to position themselves as premier material handling solutions providers. TICO’s acquisition of Bastian Solutions, LLC and Vanderlande in 2017, for example, signifies Toyota’s strategic ambition to increase their presence in automated material handling, systems integration, and advanced logistics technology.

This dedication to innovation and diversification started with Sakichi Toyoda’s vision over 100 years ago. What started as one man’s dream and a small loom manufacturing company has evolved into one of the largest and most recognized companies in the world. Sakichi passed away in October 1930 after dedicating 63 years to invention, but his spirit still lives on in all Toyota companies. His lasting legacy will continue to inspire us all for years to come.

Original Post: Trinton Castetter, Product Marketing Specialist, Toyota Material Handling