TMHU expands Aichi dealerships

Toyota Material Handling USA, Inc. has expanded its Aichi dealerships from 15 to 26.

"The new dealers were chosen to support the existing Aichi dealer base based on their proven ability to provide local businesses with the high service and support levels customers expect from Toyota, "said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. "As the business climate continues to recover in the upcoming months, Toyota is committed to offering the construction market and other industries quality AWP products that meet their customers' demands."

The new dealerships include Bell Fork Lift, Inc. of Clinton Township, MI; Conger Toyotalift of Green Bay, WI; Florida Lift Systems, Inc. of Orlando, FL; Hupp ToyotaLift of Cedar Rapids, IA; Lift Truck Supply, Inc. of Tyler, TX; Mid Columbia Forklift, Inc. of Yakima, WA; Shoppa's Mid America, LLC of Kansas City, MO; Southern States Toyotalift of Jacksonville, FL; Toyota-Lift of Minnesota of Brooklyn Park, MN; Vesco Toyotalift of Hickory, NC and Westquip, Inc. of Oklahoma City, OK

"Toyota and Aichi are both accustomed to long-term, incremental growth and plan to continue that strategy to grow US sales in the future, and we are meeting our market share goals for Aichi even in this challenging market," said Alan Dotts, sales manager for the aerial work platform (AWP) division of TMHU.

Dotts said equipment is still moving despite the market's weakness, with rental houses buying product to expand fleets and dealers placing orders. "Most orders, however, are placed when the customer orders are received to better control inventory costs and reflect Toyota's philosophy of Just-in-Time production," he told ALH.

Prior talks of a possible manufacturing facility in the US have been shelved, however. "The product line is currently manufactured in Japan," the company said. "There are no plans at this time to manufacture in the US."