The BT Optio L-series low-level order picker from Toyota Material Handling was awarded the highest international juries' recognition for its functionality and design.

Friday 10th February, 2012 at BMW World in Munich, was a rewarding day for Toyota Material Handling. After receiving the iF label for the BT Levio powered pallet truck and the Toyota Traigo 48 electric counterbalance forklift in 2009, 2012 saw the BT Optio L become the third truck in Toyota's range to win the most prestigious award in the product design category.

The BT Optio L-series - an industrial machine that excelled in all of the categories judged: quality design, choice of materials, safety, durability, ergonomics and low environmental impact.

The Toyota and BT brands both share a long tradition of anticipating market trends and providing their customers with the best solutions, including unique the BT Reflex reach truck tilting cab and BT Pro Lifter hand pallet truck. The BT Optio L-series is further proof of Toyota's continuous improvement and goal to develop products and services that meet and exceed customers' changing complex needs.

BT Optio L-series was developed with a focus on the Smooth Operator concept and an aims to provide the best possible working conditions for operators. All models feature a low step-in height and the option of a new Frequency-Adapted Suspension (FAS) system and Toyota's E-man control system which allow for easy and effortless driving, even from second level order picking. It also allows the controls to be moved to the left-hand or right-hand side of the truck allowing the operator to control the truck whilst walking alongside. Efficient administration is essential in order picking operations and a key part of the Smooth Operator concept includes the optional Toyota E-bar, which allows easy mounting of ancillary equipment such as computer terminals and bar-code scanners.

International Forum Design Awards (iF) has been supporting the works of talented designers since 1953 by promoting healthy competition and increasing their worldwide visibility. The BT Optio L-series will be on show at the iF Gold award exhibition at the BMW museum from 10th to 26th February, and the iF design exhibition, running at the same time as CeBIT in Hannover, as well as in Hamburg and Haikou, on Hainan island (China).