COS enhances its Sydney distribution centre’s efficiency with 21 new Toyota forklifts, strengthening its partnership with Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA).
COS, an education supplies business, is boosting the efficiency and performance of its Sydney distribution centre with the support of reliable, high-performance forklifts from Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA).
This partnership supports COS in maintaining efficient and seamless logistics, contributing to the service
it provides to customers across New South Wales.
Led by second-generation Co-CEOs Belinda and Amie Lyone, COS has grown from its humble beginnings in 1977, when it was founded by Dominique Lyone with just two staff members in Western Sydney, to a company of more than 600 employees. With sales offices and distribution centres in every state and territory, COS provides thousands of products every day to keep workers, patients, and students healthy, safe, and productive.
Recently, COS placed an order for a range of Toyota high-reach and counterbalance forklifts, as well as single- and double-length electric pallet jacks, to refresh the fleet at its Sydney distribution centre.
Upgrading a sizeable portion of its ageing material handling fleet, COS has ordered a total of 21 new pieces of equipment for its New South Wales operations, the result of a collaboration between COS and TMHA account manager Michael Provan.
“I worked with the COS team to provide a deal that would work best for their warehouse operation,”
says Michael.
“I met with COS several times, and we talked through the different options, the different models, the variations on how we can supply – whether that be a long-term rental, purchase – what that pricing and rates would look like. Through that process, we nutted it down to what it’s now become.
“We worked together to see what options would work for COS, what suited its business model, and what suited its finance team and management team. Over time, we were able to work out the model split, the supply split, work through that, and find a plan to move forward.”
Owning its Toyota forklift equipment outright, COS depends on TMHA to ensure its distribution centres run smoothly and efficiently, delivering supplies to businesses across NSW.
COS has been a customer of TMHA for more than 10 years.
The partnership developed between the two companies was a big reason for continuing their fruitful partnership, says Troy Riggs, Distribution Centre Manager, COS NSW.
“Michael Provan and I have built a great relationship,” says Troy. “That relationship is why I pushed so hard to continue our partnership with Toyota for our new fleet.
“We often look for the latest tech or best price and overlook the value of a solid working relationship. For me, when partnering up with a business, the relationship is the crucial part.”
The first batch of Toyota forklifts has already arrived at COS’s NSW distribution centre, which has been put to immediate use by the team who appreciate the performance, ergonomics and safety features of the latest
Toyota machines.
“My co-workers were loving being able to test out their new equipment,” says Troy.
“The looks of excitement on their faces as new equipment arrives is priceless.
“They know they are now driving the safest, most ergonomic equipment on the market. There is a real sense of pride on display from the team.”
The new fleet of equipment replaces old Toyota forklifts, which have been in service for COS for approximately 10 years. A decade of consistent service has meant that Toyota’s team of service technicians have also developed a close working relationship with the warehouse team.
“Our technicians were on a first-name basis with most of the people on-site, and the relationship there has been very good,” says Michael.
Minimising downtime is crucial for any business and having a team of knowledgeable and experienced technicians able to rapidly respond to any servicing requests is a crucial part of TMHA’s offering to clients.
Troy expressed his satisfaction with the company’s decision to partner with TMHA, stating that he would “100 per cent” recommend TMHA to others, based on his positive experience with the brand in his roles at COS and previous positions.
For more information, call Toyota Material Handling Australia on 1800 425 438 or visit here
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