Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.(TMHU), the supplier of the number one selling lift truck in North America, is partnering with its network of Toyota Industrial Equipment (TIE) dealers to expand the “Giving Veterans a Lift” program. The focus of the program is to help veterans find employment and help TIE dealers recruit qualified service technicians. Toyota encourages veterans to apply for TIE dealership service technician career opportunities at toyotalifttech.com. For every veteran hired by a TIE dealer as a service technician in 2012, TMHU will match a dealer’s donation (up to $500) to Hire Heroes USA, in honor of the newly hired veteran.

Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating job opportunities for U.S. military transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses. The services provided help in transition and job search assistance, and job placement services, to those who have honorably served in the U.S. military and to their spouses.

"We are thankful for the opportunity to bring more visibility to the need for greater employment opportunities for our veterans," said Megan Whitson, Hire Heroes USA’s corporate relations and development manager. "With Toyota’s program not only does a veteran gain employment, but a donation is generated that will help other veterans as well."

Jeff Rufener, president for TMHU shares the sentiment, "Toyota is honored to assist this deserving group of Americans find employment. We hope to see more veterans bring their expertise to our dealerships and in turn help Hire Heroes USA assist other veterans find employment as well. It is a win-win."

Operator Safety Training Program Provides Discounted Training to Vets

In addition, Toyota also has enhanced its veteran operator safety training program, which was originally launched in 2011 and provides discounted forklift operator safety training for veterans. This program is available through Toyota’s network of participating dealers and offers veterans a $200 discount on the training.

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

Celebrating 45 years of established operations, TMHU is the supplier for the No. 1 selling lift truck in North America 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 Automated Guided Vehicles and tow tractors.

Quality is the hallmark of the Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including TIEM, a zero-landfill facility in Columbus, Ind. TIEM, named a 2011 North American Best Plant by IndustryWeek magazine, is a member of the National Safety Council, complies with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization and has produced more than 400,000 Toyota lift trucks since its opening in 1990.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends throughout the U.S. and Canada. With more than 70 authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers and more than 220 dealership locations throughout North America, Toyota dealers 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.