Toyota Material Handling’s Brisbane branch has officially opened its newer, larger purpose-built premises close to the Logan Motorway at Larapinta, Queensland.
The new premises comprises of 1,000 metre sq office space, 6,000 metre sq hard-stand area for loading and unloading, as well as a new unit showroom and technician training facility.
The new 6,000 metre sq Brisbane workshop is said to be three times the size of the previous premises at Darra and is reportedly already helping to increase efficiencies.
According to TMHA northern region general manager Dan Williams, the new premises had also increased the speed of machine delivery by bringing storage of new machines onto the same site as the pre-delivery workshop.
"The new facility has 30 repair service bays and 30 pre-delivery bays, with space to grow the workshop as required and also to handle additional products in the future," Williams said.
"It has a customer lounge, spray booth, wash-bay that uses recycled water and overhead gantry, as well as storage space for new stock and short-term rental forklifts."
Toyota began forklift operations in Queensland in 1986, when Williams’ grandfather, the late Sir Sydney Williams, opened Willtrac. The company moved its base to Darra in 1988 and was purchased by TMHA’s parent company TICO in 2003.
The branch changed names to Toyota Material Handling (QLD) in 2005 to reflect the full product range of Toyota forklifts, skid-steer loaders and towing tractors, BT Lift Trucks and Raymond forklifts.
The new premises were officially opened on March 21. Speakers at opening ceremony included TMHA president and CEO, Terry Unnai; TMHA vice president and COO, Steve Takacs; TMHA northern region general manager, Dan Williams; former rugby league player, Ben Ikin who was the MC on the day; as well as Linfox executive chairman, Peter Fox as the guest speaker
According to TMHA vice president and COO, Steve Takacs, the move would raise service levels, reduce delivery times for new equipment and improve technician training.
"Strong market share growth in recent years and our commitment to supply industry leading after sales service support has led to TMHA making a major investment in the future of our Brisbane-based branch," Takacs said.
"Currently, the branch has over 100 staff supporting our customer base, including a major investment in apprentices, OHS&E and customer service.
"TMHA’s Brisbane branch will also support the region with a larger short-term rental fleet comprising both electric and internal combustion counter-balance trucks.
"The aim is to continue to build its operations nationally ensuring world’s best products, industry leading after market service and customer support.”
TMHA reports that more than 170 guests attended the opening ceremony, which included the planting of a Japanese maple tree. The highlight was when famed axeman David Foster chopped through a log with a ribbon attached to it.
Guests were also given guided tours of the new premises, and each received a football signed by Ben Ikin and fellow league player Shane Webcke, as well as a commemorative cardboard signed axe by David Foster.
TMHA expects the move to 20 Radius Drive, Larapinta will provide a raft of benefits for new and existing Toyota forklift and skid-steer loader customers.