COLUMBUS, Ind. (August 18, 2009) – Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM), the U.S. manufacturing plant for Toyota lift trucks, announced the winners of its annual Supplier of the Year Award. The Quality Cost Delivery (QCD) award is given to TIEM suppliers whose quality, cost and delivery exceed a 95 percent standard of excellence. This year, 13 winners were selected from more than 400 TIEM suppliers.

Suppliers are evaluated based on a parts rejection rate (PPM= parts per million); their ability to meet cost reduction targets: and on-time delivery performance. All points are awarded based on a corresponding scale for the fiscal year.

"Toyota has ranked highest in quality and value in independent research for five consecutive years. We could not have reached or maintained this position without strong partnerships with our suppliers," said Bruce Nolting, vice president of purchasing for Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. "We are thrilled to recognize these companies for their excellence in the industry."

This year’s winners are:

·Aisan Corporation of America

·Aisin Drivetrain, Inc.

·MAC Machine & Metal Works, Inc.

·Commercial Fluid Power

·Arvin Sango, Inc.

·Brillion Iron Works

·US Tsubaki, Inc.

·KYB America, LLC

·Wayne Metals, LLC

·Julian Electric Inc.

In addition to the 10 recipients of the QCD Award, three suppliers received a Special Service Award for their exceptional kaizen and quality improvements. Wayne Metals, Toyota Tsusho America, and Precision Hydraulic Cylinders were recognized in this category.

Award recipients were honored during a ceremony at the TIEM production facility in Columbus, Ind., during the annual Supplier Conference.

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.