“The key to the Toyota Way and what makes Toyota stand out is not any of the individual elements...But what is important is having all the elements together as a system.” (Taiichi Ohno) 
  
The Toyota Way is a set of five values that are part of the company’s DNA, and has been shaping its identity and reputation for years. Two pillars support the Toyota Way Philosophy: Continuous Improvement, made of ‘Challenge’, ‘Kaizen’ and ‘Genchi Genbutsu’; and Respect for People, built on ‘Respect’ and ‘Teamwork’.
Following the Toyota Way is a commitment for all Toyota employees all over the world. At Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE), these values are applied at every level, whether in the design process, the manufacturing of the forklift trucks or the service offered to customers. 

‘Challenge’ helps to maintain a long term vision and to meet all situations with the courage and creativity needed to realise that vision, without losing the drive or energy. TMHE also sees ‘Challenge’ as a means of maintaining its leading position and of always meeting the customers’ needs in the best possible way, no matter the requirements.

‘Genchi Genbutsu’ is Japanese for ‘going to the source’. This is imperative to making correct decisions, building consensus and achieving goals. In the TMHE production process, this largely contributes to securing the highest quality products for customers; for example, the manufacturing is stopped immediately if the slightest problem is detected.

‘Kaizen’ (‘continuous improvement’ in Japanese) means that no process can ever be declared perfect and that there is always room for improvement. TMHE’s constant goal is to be the first choice partner in material handling. In the spirit of ‘Kaizen’, TMHE constantly optimises its products to better respond to each customer’s evolving needs (by heavily investing in R&D and in the training of its employees, for instance).

’Respect’ stands for the fact that Toyota makes every effort to understand others, accepts responsibility and does its best to build mutual trust. ‘Respect’ is firmly rooted in the TMHE culture. The company fosters diversity, nurtures durable relationships with customers and contributes to society through sustainable operations, amongst other initiatives.

Through ‘Teamwork’, Toyota stimulates personal and professional growth, shares opportunities for development and maximises individual and team performance. At TMHE, this value equally emphasises the strength of being together, among others. The company’s 8,000 employees operate as one team, providing customers with the best possible products and services in 30 countries.

With the Toyota Way as a guiding principle and a working standard, TMHE and its customers, stakeholders and employees are stronger together.