Industrial Vehicles and Equipment

Overview

Toyota's industrial vehicle and equipment business started in March 1956 with lift truck production and sales in Japan. Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. supplied engines, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd. (now Toyota Industries Corporation) manufactured the vehicles, and Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. sold them.

As Japan entered a period of rapid economic growth in the 1960s, lift trucks rapidly spread as an effective means of streamlining loading and unloading operations, and logistics systems based on loading and unloading by lift trucks were widely adopted. Toyota actively developed products in anticipation of customer needs including Japan's first small-sized special vehicle that can be operated with an ordinary driver's license and various attachments. Today, the product lineup ranges from 0.5-ton to 43-ton capacity vehicles. In 1986, Toyota entered the logistics systems business, and sales in business areas other than lift trucks have increased steadily.

Toyoda Automatic Loom Works completed the Takahama Plant as a special-purpose lift truck plant in 1970. Overseas, a technical support agreement was signed with France-based Manitou and knock down production began in 1987. Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM) was established in the United States in 1988 as production structures were steadily improved in Japan and other countries. Cumulative lift truck production in Japan reached 500,000 vehicles in 1985, and global cumulative lift truck production reached one million vehicles in August 1995.

Since the 1960 establishment of Chubu Toyota Lift Co., Ltd., Toyota's first specialty lift truck dealer, sales and after-sales service systems in Japan have been steadily developed. By the end of 2011, the nationwide sales network included 40 companies with 310 outlets, and an extensive after-sales service network was also in place. In October 1998, dealers that sell Toyota industrial vehicles and equipment changed their names to 'Toyota L&F' (logistics and forklift).

Overseas sales started in 1958 with a sample shipment to Thailand, and as of the end of 2011, the global sales network including sales of products manufactured overseas extends to 188 countries (648 sites).

In December 2000, Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyoda Automatic Loom Works signed an agreement to integrate their logistics and forklift businesses and transfer the business to Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. In April 2001, Toyota L&F Company was established as an internal company of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works through the merger of its industrial vehicle manufacturing and sales divisions.

Developments in the Industrial Vehicles and Equipment Business

Year
Month
Events
1953
July
Toyoda Automatic Loom Works begins production research on small lift trucks
1956
February 1
Toyota Motor Sales establishes the Machining Operations in the Parts Department to conduct sales of lift trucks
March

1-ton lift truck (model LA)

1-ton lift truck (model LA) launched
- The 1-ton lift truck developed and manufactured by Toyoda Automatic Loom Works introduced to the sales network; and Toyota enters the industrial vehicle market
1957
December
850 kg towing tractor (model LAT) launched
1958
May
1-ton lift truck sample exported to Thailand
1960
January
1.2-ton shovel loader (model SR) launched
June
Operations started at a special-purpose lift truck plant at Toyoda Automatic Loom Works' Kyowa Plant
August 15
Chubu Toyota Lift Co., Ltd., Toyota's first specialty industrial vehicle dealer, established
1961
April
Exports of lift trucks to Southeast Asia and Latin America commenced
- Subsequently, exports are expanded to the Middle East in 1962, Europe and Africa in 1964, and North America in 1965
December
Toyota captures a 33% share of the Japanese lift truck market, the highest share in the industry (annual sales: 2,450 vehicles)
1962
February 1
Toyota Motor Sales establishes Export Headquarters
1963
January
First 2-ton lift truck with body frame (model 5LR) in Japan launched
March
Exports of 2-ton lift trucks (model 5LR) commenced
September
Shovel loader (model SD23) launched
1965
June

Ceremony marking the shipment of lift trucks to Singapore (1966)

Toyota selected in international bidding to supply lift trucks to the Port of Singapore Authority (shipped in January 1966)
June
First special-purpose lift truck distributor in South Africa established
1966
February
Small-sized special vehicle (model 6LA) that can be operated with an ordinary driver's license launched
December 1
Toyota Motor Sales' Parts Department Machining Operations spun off as the Industrial Vehicles Department
1967
January 1
Toyota Motor Sales establishes the Industrial Vehicles Operations in the Export-Parts Department to reinforce the lift truck export organization
July
Electric counterbalanced lift truck (model FB15) launched
September
Monthly shipments, sales, and production of industrial vehicles in Japan reach 1,000 units for the first time
December
Annual industrial vehicle exports reaches 673 vehicles, accounting for 33% of exports and taking the top position in the Japanese industry in terms of export volume
1968
October 1
Toyota Motor Sales establishes the Administrative Staff in the Industrial Vehicles Department to reinforce product and sales planning operations
December
Shipments in Japan exceed 10,000 vehicles
1969
January
Toyota National Dealers' Advisory Council (TNDAC) establishes a lift truck section
November
Cumulative lift truck sales in Japan reaches 50,000 vehicles
1970
July
Electric reach truck (model FBR10 and model FBR15) launched
September 22

Aerial view of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Takahama Plant (at time of establishment)

Toyoda Automatic Loom Works establishes Takahama Plant as a special-purpose industrial vehicle plant; Machining plant, assembly plant, and other facilities constructed at 340,000 m2 site
- Industrial vehicle production facilities relocated from Kyowa Plant
November 1
Model FG7 and model FB7 launched as "lift trucks for the people"
- Television commercials aired to develop new markets
1971
February
Cumulative industrial vehicle exports reaches 10,000 vehicles
September 6
Cumulative industrial vehicle production reaches 100,000 vehicles
1972
September
Cumulative lift truck production reaches 100,000 vehicles
September 20
2-ton and 2.5-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
- Body frame with built-in headguard and power steering included as standard features
1973
February
Toyota Motor Sales establishes the Export -Industrial Vehicle Department in the Export Headquarters
February
Cumulative sales of lift trucks in Japan reach 100,000 vehicles
November
First Industrial Vehicle European Distributors Conference held
1974
October 1
Toyota Industrial Trucks, U.S.A. Inc. established through joint investment by Toyota Motor, Toyota Motor Sales and Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
(Acquired by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. on April 1, 1984)
December
Toyota's lift truck production volume reaches world's highest (excluding the Communist bloc)
1975
January
Assembly begins in Peru
- Subsequently, assembly begins in Brazil in July 1976 and South Africa in December 1977
 
Cumulative lift truck production reaches 200,000 vehicles
 
First lift truck leasing and rental business in Japanese market launched
1976
February
'Sweeper' floor cleaning equipment (model QBW9 and model QB12) launched
June 7-9
First Conference of Toyota Industrial Vehicle Distributors held
August 14-15
First Service Technician Training Program in Japan held
1977
April 6

The Jobsun skid steer loader

Jobsun skid steer loaders (model SGK6 and model SDK6) launched
May
Export of four-wheel-drive skid steer loaders (sold in Japan as Jobsun) begins
 
Various measures to stabilize dealer operations reinforced (through 1984)
1978
June 9
Narrow Ace (model FBE), the first three-wheeled electric counterbalanced lift truck from a Japanese manufacturer, launched
June 1-2, June 8-9
Overseas Industrial Vehicle Group holds First Industrial Vehicle Parts Seminars in Europe and the Middle East and Africa
October
Job Fighter shovel loaders (model SDT12 and model SDT15) launched
October
JLG truck mounted aerial work platforms (model JD12 and model JD18) launched
December
Cumulative lift truck sales in Japan reach 200,000 vehicles
December
Cumulative industrial vehicle production reaches 300,000 vehicles
1979
 
Cumulative lift truck production reaches 300,000 vehicles
1980
July 29
Cumulative industrial vehicle exports reach 100,000 vehicles
December
Toyota invests in Tomen Transportgerate GmbH (TTG), a West Germany-based distributor
1982
April
F80 system introduced
May
Assembly in New Zealand begins
- Subsequently, assembly begins in Indonesia in February 1985, Venezuela in August 1985, and France in January 1987
May 17-18

First Toyota Industrial Vehicle World Conference (1982)

First Toyota Industrial Vehicle World Conference held
June
Major improvements made to leading 141 model lift trucks and orange made the standard color
December
Heavy Duty series of 6-ton to 8-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
 
Cumulative lift truck production reaches 400,000 vehicles
1984
January
Oversees Industrial Vehicle Group launches Parts Award Program
April
Computerized industrial vehicle order system begins full-scale operation
September
Dealer Medium-Term Management Plan adopted
September
Cumulative lift truck sales in Japan reaches 300,000 vehicles
1985
March
All dealers become profitable
September 11

Cumulative lift truck production reaches 500,000 vehicles (1985)

Cumulative lift truck production reaches 500,000 vehicles (first in Japan)
 
Worksite campaigns continuously conducted as a means of raising the participation rate in sales pitches (through 1986)
1986
May 29-30
Second Toyota Industrial Vehicle World Conference held
May
Cumulative industrial vehicle exports reaches 200,000 vehicles
July 10
Toyota automatic guided vehicle system
- (General guided vehicle types [ACBJ2, ACB3, and ACB5] and tractor types [ATB-T8 and ATB12]) launched
August 28
X300 series of 1-ton to 3-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
October
Voluntary export restrictions on lift trucks to the EU imposed
1987
January
France-based Manitou conducts knock-down production for sales in France
April 9
Techno Reach R300 series of 1-ton to 1.8-ton electric reach trucks launched
September 10
Optically guided small automatic vehicle launched
September 10
Rack Sorter unit-type automated storage and retrieval system launched
September
Toyota Industrial Equipment Europe S.A.R.L (TIEE) established in France (approval received August 25)
October
Re-export of lift trucks produced by France-based Manitou to other European countries begins
November 10
B300 series of 1-ton to 3-ton electric counterbalanced lift trucks launched
1988
June 16
D300 series of 3.25-ton to 4.5-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
October 27

Aerial view of TIEM

Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM) established as a joint venture with Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in Columbus, Indiana, USA (production begins in April 1990)
1989
January
Cumulative lift truck sales in Japan reach 400,000 vehicles
May 18
Groundbreaking ceremony for construction of TIEM plant in the U.S. held
1990
January 12
Shares of Toyota lift truck sales distributor Liftrucs Ltd. in the U.K. acquired
October 9
TIEM holds ceremony marking the start of operations
1991
January 16
G300 series of 5-ton to 8-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
October 11
Cumulative lift truck sales in Japan reach 500,000 vehicles
1992
May 25

Rack Sorter P unit-type automated storage and retrieval systems (pallet type)

Rack Sorter P unit-type automated storage and retrieval systems (pallet type) launched
July
Cumulative production by TIEM reaches 10,000 vehicles
October 1
Rack Sorter B unit-type automated storage and retrieval systems (plastic container type) launched
1993
March 8
Cumulative industrial vehicle exports to the United States reaches 100,000 vehicles
1994
January 20
X500 series of 1-ton to 3-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
- X500 series wins 1994 Good Design Award (Ministry of International Trade and Industry certified G Mark product)
October 13
R500 series of 1-ton to 1.8-ton electric reach trucks launched
1995
March

Aerial view of TIESA

Toyota Industrial Equipment, S.A. (TIESA) established as an industrial vehicle production joint venture with France-based Manitou and Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
August 29

Cumulative lift truck production reaches 1 million vehicles (1995)

Cumulative global lift truck production reaches one million vehicles
November 16
B500 series of 1-ton to 3-ton four-wheeled electric lift trucks launched
1996
September 3
D500 series of 3.25-ton to 5-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched
September 10
Petit Runner series of under 1-ton electric counterbalanced lift trucks launched
1997
April 7
Petit Runner G series of under 1-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched ("G" stands for gasoline)
1998
March 6
Little Runner series of 500 kg and 700 kg stand-up electric counterbalanced lift trucks launched
September 7
GENEO series of 1-ton to 3-ton internal combustion lift trucks launched (3.5-ton to 5-ton models added in January 1999)
- System of Active Safety (SAS) new safety system incorporated
October 1

The Toyota L&F logo

'Toyota Forklift' sales channel changes name to 'Toyota L&F'
1999
August 26
GENEO-B series of 1-ton to 3-ton electric counterbalanced lift trucks launched
- Alternating current drive system adopted; Series wins Minister of International Trade and Industry Prize of 30th Machine Industry Design Awards
 
Annual Japanese market share of sales of lift trucks exceeds 40% for first time
2000
June 22
Toyoda Automatic Loom Works acquires BT Industries AB, a Swedish manufacturer of warehouse equipment
December 26

The signing of the L&F business transfer agreement (2000)

Decision made to enter into agreement of transferring Toyota Motor's L&F Group to Toyoda Automatic Loom Works (signing ceremony held on 27th)
2001
January 23
GENEO-R series of 1-ton to 3-ton electric reach trucks launched
April 1
L&F Group transferred to Toyoda Automatic Loom Works