IRVINE, Calif., (October 19, 2009) – Toyota, the number one selling lift truck supplier in the United States, is pleased to announce that the Columbus, Ind., manufacturing plant, Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM), was awarded the Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The honor was bestowed to Toyota for its leadership identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption, improve performance and minimize costs.

"Every year we look forward to honoring the achievements of organizations that undertake activities that improve their impact on the environment while at the same time advance their internal organizational practices," said Rick Bossingham, assistant commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). "Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg. is a prime example of this philosophy, and they should serve as a model for other organizations."

An independent energy audit assessed TIEM’s electricity and natural gas usage efficiency, which enabled the plant to establish an energy reduction program. The resulting program reduced electrical consumption by 2,218,444 kilowatt hours, or 12.3 percent; natural gas usage by 13,277 decatherms, or 13.2 percent; and, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by 3,611.91 tons.

"TIEM is honored to receive the prestigious Governor’s Award for the second time in three years," said Kazue Sasaki, president of TIEM. "Toyota continues to strive for sustainable business practices that enhance the communities where our associates and customers live."

The awards were given at the annual Indiana Pollution Prevention Conference, which honors companies that use innovative environmental practices, reduce waste and contribute to the protection of Indiana’s environment.

"Toyota always places environmental stewardship as a top initiative," said Brett Wood, president of Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. (TMHU) and a member of TIEM’s Board of Directors. "Every associate at TIEM should be proud to be recognized by the state of Indiana for the quantifiable energy-saving measures they’ve helped implement."

TIEM, a zero-landfill facility is responsible for manufacturing the majority of Toyota’s lift trucks sold in the United States.

About Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence

An annual award program that began in 1994, the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence recognize Indiana’s leaders, who have identified and implemented innovative environmental practices into their programs and facilities. The awards program is open to all Indiana facilities, state and local units of government, individuals and technical assistance organizations that implement exemplary environmental projects with measurable results. A review committee consisting of representatives from industry, environmental organizations, education and government evaluate each Governor’s Awards application. Applications are evaluated based on how each project reflects and advances environmental excellence, economic prosperity and leadership commitment to these improvements.

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).

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.