Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) today announced the launch of the "Giving Veterans a Lift" operator safety training program. Toyota has committed $25,000 to the program, which will provide discounted forklift operator safety training for veterans and is available through the company’s nationwide network of participating dealers.

"Toyota and its forklift dealers are excited to make this investment and launch a program to assist America’s heroes in finding employment in an economy where Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans experience as much as 15.2 percent unemployment," said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. "We’re glad our dealer time and knowledge base will help equip veterans with tools needed for those who seek a career in the material handling industry."

"This program is especially meaningful to me, given that my son served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air Force and is currently on active duty in the Air National Guard," commented Steve Rice, dealer principal of Welch Equipment Company, Inc. "Veterans have valuable skill sets and, as a Toyota dealer, I am proud to extend this opportunity for this deserving group to gain job training and resources."

Material handling is one of the few fields that is growing, and according to a recent Material Handling Industry of America report increased 18 percent in 2010.

For veterans looking for additional employment assistance, Hire Heroes USA Inc.( HHUSA) provides transition assistance, job search assistance, and job placement services to those who have honorably served in the US military – and to their spouses. In order to reduce veteran unemployment, HHUSA prioritizes veterans statistically most likely to be unemployed: veterans of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, and veterans that are wounded or disabled.

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. In addition to the full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand, the company’s extended industrial equipment solutions include: Aichi aerial work lifts—scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled boom lifts—Automated Guided Vehicles, and electric and diesel tow tractors.

Quality is the hallmark of the 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, a zero-landfill facility, in Columbus, Ind.

TIEM is a member of the National Safety Council, complies with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization, and has been honored for its 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 and support, including one-stop shopping for both new and used lift trucks, rentals, parts and service, fleet servicing and financing.