IRVINE, Calif., (July 29, 2009)—Toyota has announced the appointment of Kazue Sasaki to president of Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM), the U.S. manufacturing plant for Toyota lift trucks, effective immediately. In addition, he is now president of Toyota Industries North America, Inc., a holding company, and a director of the Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) board of directors.

As president of TIEM, Sasaki is responsible for all aspects of the Columbus, Ind., plant, which manufactures the majority of Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States.

Outgoing president Susumu (Sonny) Toyoda will remain active in Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). Toyoda, who served a five-year tenure at TIEM, was influential in leading the plant to achieve numerous environmental and manufacturing accolades including a zero-landfill status and the production of the 300,000th lift truck.

Sasaki brings more than 20 years of management and engineering experience to the plant, most recently serving as a senior managing officer of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). Prior to this role, Sasaki was a managing officer, director and led TICO’s Engine Division, and was responsible for collaborations with Toyota Motor Corp. to produce environmentally friendly diesel engine concepts, along with new business development activities.

“Sasaki’s passion for quality and excellence showcases his leadership abilities,” said Shankar Basu, chairman and CEO of TMHU and a director of TIEM. “It is an honor to welcome him as a member of the team.”

Sasaki has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kyoto University. He and his wife, Junko, reside in Columbus, Ind. They have two grown children.

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

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc., (TMHU) has been the No. 1 selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. TMHU, as the sole United States distributor for Aichi, now offers a line-up of aerial work lifts, including scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled boom lifts designed specifically to meet a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs.

Built on a reputation of excellence, Toyota remains popular due to its quality, durability and reliability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota’s world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM). Most of the Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States are manufactured at TIEM in Columbus, Ind.

TIEM, and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada, comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement.

Toyota’s commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-eight authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 188 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts and service, fleet servicing, and financing.