Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc.’s (TMHU) lift trucks have been ranked number one, for the eighth year in a row, for quality and value in a study conducted by Peerless Research Group in conjunction with Modern Materials Handling magazine. In the category of lowest cost of ownership, the company took top billing for the second consecutive year. No other lift truck manufacturer has ranked number one in quality, value or lowest cost of ownership since the study’s inception in 2004(1).

Cost of ownership, according to Peerless Research, represents the potential related expenses of a lift truck, in addition to the acquisition cost, including financing, depreciation, insurance, fuel consumption, downtime, maintenance and repairs. Quality is determined by the factors considered most important when operating a lift truck, which include reliability, technical development, durability and flexibility in maneuvering.

"Material handling customers are savvy about features that save them time and money," said Jeff Rufener, president of TMHU. "Having them rank Toyota forklifts highest in quality and value, and lowest in cost of ownership, further validates our proven record of high productivity and performance."

Peerless Research Group surveyed 418 qualified respondents involved in the purchasing of material handling equipment. Respondents represented companies from a wide range of industries, including: food and beverages; automotive and transportation; and fabricated metals and industrial machinery.

About Peerless Media

As a division of Peerless Media, a leading provider of independent business content and information serving the supply chain industry, Peerless Research Group specializes in marketing and media research solutions for materials handling, logistics and supply chain marketers.

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 Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (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.