TMHU shares five ways your lift trucks can spread goodwill.

PennWest Toyota Lift in Duncansville, Penn., helped the community get in the holiday spirit with a lift truck display that could be seen from the freeway.

With the holiday season upon us, Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc (TMHU) shares five ideas on how people in the materials handling industry can use equipment, especially forklifts, to share good tidings in your community.

1. Let your lift trucks serve as Santa's helper.

The holiday months are the peak time for charitable organizations to hold food and toy drives. These organizations, however, also may be in need of the logistical support to transport, store and move these donations at key collection points or distribution centers. Consider lending the use of your lift truck and also donating the time of a properly trained lift truck operator. Visit charitywatch.org for a list of top-rated nonprofit organizations or feedingamerica.org for local food banks.

2. Retiring a lift truck? Consider donating it to a local charity.

Many nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax exemption under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, accept donations of lift trucks in addition to the traditional automotive and boat donations commonly advertised. Speak to a tax advisor for the advantages of donating used equipment and securing a tax write-off.

3. Deck the halls of your business.

Creatively (and safely) use your lift truck as a prop in the holiday display at your business. Go one step further and hold a holiday open house to showcase your decorated workplace to employees and their families. Use one of your lift trucks to hold the collection bins for food or toy drives.

4. Let your lift truck be a team player in a sporting event or a parade.

Know of a local community group, school or sports organization holding a large event that may require extra support? Like tip number one, let your lift truck be a key player and lend much-needed materials handling assistance to the big event.

5. Let your goodwill ride into the New Year.

The holidays are a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the year ahead. In looking forward to a brand new season, remember that goodwill can be shared all year long. Use these tips as a launching point for numerous other ways to assist your local community and the many noteworthy causes within your reach.

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

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based 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 the industry leader 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 Mfg., Inc. (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.