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How TMHA has kept supply chains flowing and people safe amidst COVID-19

TMHA

MHD talks with Cameron Paxton, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at TMHA, about how the company has kept goods moving through the supply chain while also keeping its people and Australia safe.

As Australia’s largest materials handling equipment supplier, Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has played an indispensable role in keeping goods moving through the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cameron Paxton, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer TMHA, says that the company’s operations were designated an essential service by government because of their critical role in securing Australians’ access to essential goods and services.

“From distribution of vaccines, to supporting the grocery industry, to primary produces – including fruit and vegetables, livestock, and poultry – without our equipment and ongoing support, society is compromised,” Cameron says. “Material handling equipment is vital to the continuity of trade in the economy.”

Because of its position as the nation’s largest material handling equipment supplier, Cameron says that TMHA takes its social role “incredibly seriously”. It’s not just about maintaining good business – it’s upholding the good of the nation.

“It is essential for TMHA to be able to provide our equipment, service, and support to the market given that essentially half of the nation’s businesses rely on us to help keep their businesses alive, Cameron says. “If you went to your fridge or pantry and did an inventory, the majority of it would have been handled by TMHA equipment at some stage. Every item you can think of – not just foodstuffs but medicines, fuels, oils, and building materials. And this is true of products right across our country.”

But while keeping Australia well stocked is crucial, Cameron says it’s equally important that the company keep its personnel safe.

“TMHA has always had very clear plans throughout this crisis – based on a number of scenarios we’ve thought about in advance – that we have executed based on government health directives,” he says. “Measures such as remote work arrangements – fully supported by our IT team – have assisted with the limitation of our people’s movement. For our front-line workers, the best possible PPE is made available and is continually reviewed to ensure we have the best possible solutions in place to keep them safe.”

Cameron adds that TMHA is very aware of its role to play in containing the spread of the virus – especially in light of the new, more virulent, Delta strain. And, of course, this starts with its own people ­– providing them not only physical safety but additional measures of support to keep them happy and healthy both inside and outside of working hours.

“From the outset of this pandemic, we have assessed the facts and navigated our course accordingly,” he says. “Our priority first and foremost is the health and safety of our people and those we engage with. Initiatives such as paid leave to receive the vaccine – and additional incentives to support our workers who wish to get vaccinated – have been implemented.”

“We also offered support packages to our vulnerable people so they could negotiate their way through this pandemic. Virtual after school care has replaced the version we previously ran at our head office, for instance.”

TMHA is cognisant of the vital role of families within its business, says Cameron, and has introduced measures to assist its families as much as possible.

“We’ve been flexible to ensure that our workers can continue to function with their families – to care for and educate their children while still remaining fully-functional within our organisation,” he says. “For those working remotely, regular virtual meetings are conducted to assist with engagement and provide some form of socialisation. We recognise this isn’t a normal situation, and everyone has their own journey during these times. But we believe it’s critical to continue to encourage the socialisation we normally enjoy at work for the overall wellbeing of our people.”

Cameron says that despite going above-and-beyond to ensure safety, TMHA is operating at full functionality to serve its customers. “It’s still business as usual,” he says. “We talk to our customers daily. They appreciate the measures we have introduced to support them safely and seamlessly. The Australian business community has always been a great supporter, and our experience is that collaboration is key to all of us continuing to operate safely, as well to stem the transmission of the virus.

“It’s an incredible responsibility, and I am so proud of our people for their devotion, none more so than our Field Services Teams, who have operated each day on the front-line. And we have and will continue to recognise their efforts accordingly.”

For more information on Toyota Material Handling, click here.

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