Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU), the supplier of the number one selling forklift in North America, presented ProLift Industrial Equipment with the Aftersales Service Evaluation and Certification (ASEC) award for implementing a global quality program at the dealership. The dealership achieved the award by implementing process and operational standards to deliver quality and overall superior customer service throughout the dealership.

Terry Rains, vice president of aftermarket sales at TMHU presents an ASEC award to David Graffy, president of ProLift Industrial Equipment.

“We encourage our associates to suggest ideas to constantly improve the processes at our dealership,” said David Graffy, president of ProLift Industrial Equipment. “We combine their continuous improvement ideas with the process and standards of the ASEC program to make our dealership run smoother, which gives us more time to focus on our customers.”

A few of the changes to ProLift Industrial Equipment include adding signs to be aware of parts order cutoff times, creating a process audit team, distributing a quarterly safety newsletter to promote awareness and shared responsibility of safety procedures, and creating a “Wall of Safety” to reinforce why safety is so vital within the organization. The dealership also scored 100 percent in nearly half of the sections that make up the ASEC program.

“David Graffy and everyone at ProLift Industrial Equipment really embraced the ASEC program and made significant changes to the dealership,” said Terry Rains, vice president of aftermarket sales at TMHU. “It’s a win for everyone. Every improved process ultimately translates to an improved experience for the customer.”

ProLift Industrial Equipment Receives Continuous Improvement Award

The ASEC program is a global initiative to provide Toyota dealers with a blueprint derived from the world renowned Toyota Production System to provide the highest quality service to customers. The benefits of implementing ASEC at the dealership level are enhanced customer satisfaction and retention; improved departmental and dealership efficiency and effectiveness; a safer work environment and implementation of environmental standards based on Toyota’s ISO14001 Environmental Management System. It also can result in less downtime and lower operating costs for both the dealer and its customers.

About ProLift Industrial Equipment

Founded in 1978, ProLift Industrial Equipment is a full-service forklift and aerial equipment dealership with seven locations, approximately 350 employees and several product lines. The company’s focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement extends throughout its locations in Louisville, Lexington, Erlanger, Evansville, Dayton, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

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

Celebrating more than 45 years in business in North America, TMHU is the supplier of Toyota lift trucks, the No. 1 selling brand since 2002. In addition to a full line of high-quality lift trucks, the company’s extended industrial equipment solutions include Automated Guided Vehicles.

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 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 450,000 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.