Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU), the supplier of the number one selling lift truck in North America, was honored in Plant Engineering magazine's annual "Product of the Year" awards program for Toyota's Galvanized Chassis option. The product, available on Toyota's walkie rider and three models of its AC electric pallet truck line, won the highest ranking in the Material Handling Systems category - gold.

The annual Product of the Year program, now in its 25th year, recognizes innovation in manufacturing products. According to the publication, this award sets the manufacturing and engineering industry standard for new product achievement.

Award recipients are determined based on votes received from the qualified subscribers of Plant Engineering magazine, whose readers include plant managers and plant engineers. This achievement was formally acknowledged at the 2013 Engineering Awards in Manufacturing Dinner, hosted by CFE Media LLC, publisher of Plant Engineering, in Chicago on March 18th.

"It is rewarding to have Toyota's Galvanized Chassis option recognized by top industry decision makers, plant managers and engineers, who rely on new product innovations to address some of today's logistics challenges," said Jeff Rufener, president for TMHU. "This honor demonstrates the Galvanized Chassis option's value to customers needing rust-resistant, money saving benefits for corrosive environments."

Toyota's Galvanized Chassis option protects the vehicles while operating in wet environments. It is available on the 7-Series electric walkie pallet truck (4,500 pound capacity), 8-Series AC electric walkie pallet truck (6,000 pound capacity) and 8-Series end-control walkie rider (6,000-8,000 pound capacity). This chassis enhancement is ideally suited for customers who move materials in and out of: cold storage facilities; chemical and salt and brine industries; or in areas where frequent wash down is required to remove contaminants.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.

Celebrating more than 45 years in business in North America, TMHU is the supplier of Toyota lift trucks, the No. 1 selling brand since 2002. In addition to the full line of high-quality lift trucks, the company's extended industrial equipment solutions include Automated Guided Vehicles and tow tractors.

Quality is the hallmark of the Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM), a zero-landfill facility in Columbus, Ind. TIEM, named a 2011 North American Best Plant by IndustryWeek magazine, is a member of the National Safety Council, complies with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization and has produced more than 400,000 Toyota lift trucks since its opening in 1990.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends throughout the U.S. and Canada. With more than 70 authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers and more than 220 dealership locations throughout North America, Toyota dealers offer comprehensive customer service and support, including one stop shopping for both new and used lift trucks, rentals, parts and service, fleet servicing and financing.