Toyota Continuous its Dedication to Philanthropy

Toyota remains committed to philanthropic efforts for various organizations that benefit the environment, veterans groups, safety issues and local community-related groups. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and groups dedicated to helping, Toyota has created employment opportunities, provided financial contributions for disaster relief, and supported safety-related and environmentally friendly efforts.

"It is a priority for Toyota and our associates to support the advancement of society - whether it is to better the environment or lend a helping hand to those that need it," said Jeff Rufener, president of TMHU.

Toyota Plants More than 50,000 Trees through Arbor Day Foundation

Through a long-term partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Toyota has helped plant more than 50,000 trees across the United States. For every designated Toyota lift truck sold, Toyota has made a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted in a forest damaged by fire or other natural causes in the US and in Canada. In addition, for every new 8-Series lift truck sold in 2013, Toyota will make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted. Toyota estimates the donation will equate to 30,000 trees.

Providing a Lift to Veterans

Toyota's "Giving Veterans a Lift" program was created to help the country's veterans by offering discounted operator safety training for those interested in becoming certified forklift operators. The program also assists Toyota's dealers in recruiting qualified service technicians, while at the same time providing veterans with employment. In addition to providing employment opportunities. Toyota has provided financial donations to various veterans groups such as Hire Heroes USA, Wounded Warrior Project, and many more.

Local Communities Benefit from Toyota's Commitment to Safety

In addition to manufacturing the 8-Series lift trucks that offer leading-edge safety technology such as Toyota's exclusive System of Active Stability (SAS), Toyota also invested in safety for the local communities or Irvine, CA (former national headquarters) and Columbus, IN (new headquarters and home of the manufacturing plant). TMHU sponsored events for free inspections of child safety seats and booster seats with the help of certified child passenger and safety technicians and volunteers from SafetyBeltSafe USA. Toyota associates supported the events by participating in the events as volunteers. The Columbus, IN safety event took place at the headquarters of juvenile products manufacturer, Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.

Toyota Supports Local Educational Program

In an effort to contribute and enrich the Plainfield, IN Vincennes University Logistics Education and Training Center, Toyota donated equipment and resources to further the goals of the University's material handling and warehouse training programs. By providing lift truck engines, lift trucks and hands-on instruction in TMHU's "Train-the-Trainer" Operator Safety Program, Toyota is offering students a valuable hands-on opportunity to gain the required skills necessary to maintain and safely operate a forklift.

"Denim for Dollars" Provide Support for National Charities

Created to build community support and associate morale, Toyota's "Denim for Dollars" program identifies a national nonprofit organization each month and Toyota associates are invited to contribute a minimum of $5 in exchange for getting to wear jeans to work on the last Friday of the month. Benefiting charities include American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Make-a-Wish Foundation of America, and many more.

Toyota Material Handling Unveils Grand Opening of North American National Headquarters

Toyota Material Handling, USA Inc., (TMHU), maker of the number one lift truck in North America, recently unveiled the company's new North American headquarters in Columbus, IN. The ceremony, which took place on November 4, included a ribbon cutting and line-off of the company's new 8-Series large capacity forklift, marked the final stage of a strategic initiative to align TMHU's sales and marketing team with its manufacturing plant - Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM).

The new North American headquarters represents a $4.6 million investment, adding 21,400 square feet to
the Toyota campus, which includes the manufacturing facility and national headquarters. The combined TMHU and TIEM campus now totals more than 1 million square feet of manufacturing and support space and houses more than 1,000 Toyota associates.

"Toyota made a commitment more than one year ago to align our teams under one roof to combine synergies and allow us to be even more responsive to customer and dealer needs," said Jeff Rufener, TMHU president. "We celebrate this partnership and set our sights on continued leadership in the market and support of our associates, dealers and customers."

World-Class Campus Supports Continued Growth Locally and Abroad

Toyota has become the industry leader through unparalleled quality of lift truck design and leading-edge manufacturing capabilities. In 1990, TIEM became the first Toyota lift truck manufacturing plant outside of Japan.

During the last two decades, TIEM associates have built more than 450,000 lift trucks and Toyota has steadily grown in the North American market to become the number one lift truck supplier since 2002.

"Toyota celebrates several milestones today that will continue to strengthen our position as a world-class leader while serving the best interest of our customers. By uniting TMHU and TIEM onto one central campus, we are fostering increased collaboration that will further improve efficiencies and product development. Additionally, with the introduction of Toyota's large capacity 8-Series lift truck, Toyota continues to deliver innovation in product performance, fuel-efficiency and safety to our industry," said TIEM's president Toshiya Tamagishi. "Looking ahead, TIEM's model of excellence will be emulated in a new lift truck manufacturing plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil."

As the "lead plant" for Toyota's Sao Paulo manufacturing facility, TIEM associates from Indiana are responsible for training the Brazil plant leaders on production engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and production control. Upon completion of the new facility, TIEM will be the first Toyota industrial manufacturing plant outside of Japan to supply parts to a Toyota Industries Corporation plant in another country and is expected to supply the Brazil plant with 31% of its forklift parts manufactured in Indiana.

TIEM Investment in Community Represents More than $117 Million

When TIEM established its state-of-the-art, $60 million lift truck plant operations in 1990, the facility covered approximately seven acres under one roof. Since that time, TIEM has undergone 12 expansions. The zero land-fill campus now totals more than 1 million square feet of facilities sitting on 126 acres. Representing an investment of $117 million, the campus includes the new North American headquarters, National Customer Center, training center, manufacturing operations, and distribution centers for equipment and service parts to meet the needs of Toyota's customers.

The facility has the capability to manufacture a wide range of industrial equipment used in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments including: 3-wheel and 4-wheel electric lift trucks, internal combustion cushion tire and pneumatic tire lift trucks, and DC/AC inverter assemblies for the Toyota Tacoma.

Battery Washing & Planned Maintenance Service On-Site & Done Right

Shoppa's Mid America Helps Maximize Your Fleet's Productivity

Shoppa's Mid America's on-site battery washing and planned maintenance services can save you more than money. Batteries covered with acid and corrosion can lead to excess cost and downtime. These programs offer reliability and efficiency for your fleet that's sure to boost your bottom line.

Keep It Clean

Shoppa's Mid America's on-site battery washing and resealing specialists will clean and neutralize your batteries at your location. Using our portable power, low-pressure, high-volume sprayer allows your battery to be washed, neutralized, scrubbed, and washed again, increasing the life of your batteries and reducing repair costs. Shoppa's self-contained system holds both fresh water and wash water, using multiple filters to capture lead and other particles allowing us to transport the contaminated wash water away so your facility is kept clean and dry.

Be Proactive with Shoppa's On-Site Planned Maintenance Programs

Shoppa's experience and expertise provide you with numerous advantages versus the competition. Our planned maintenance program comes with a complete inspection and evaluation. Complete battery wash and resealing, cell testing, lead bar inspection, cable inspection, and connection inspection are all included. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible aftermarket service available. Additional program benefits include: aiding in the protection of equipment life, providing safety, operational and visual inspections, increasing uptime and productivity, reducing "emergency" downtime, and increasing trade-in value.

Contact a Shoppa's Mid America representative today to schedule your on-site battery washing and PM service today for only $99* or visit our website to learn more.

*Pricing does not include sales tax. Prices subject to change without notice.

Dependable Tires that Won't Tire on Your Forklift Productivity

Shoppa's Offers a Large Inventory of Lift Truck Tires & Industrial Equipment Tires

When it comes to tires, Shoppa's understands the importance of quality and dependability. That's why Shoppa's offers a comprehensive line of industrial grade pneumatic and cushion tires backed by the service capabilities of factory-trained technicians.

Easily worn tires cost your company valuable time and money during the life cycle of your equipment. So naturally, choosing the right tires for your application is almost as important as choosing the right equipment. With tires available in a variety of sizes and specifications including cushion, pneumatic, non-marking and press-on, Shoppa's can provide you with the perfect fit.

Should you need tires for more than one application, Shoppa's also has you covered. Choose from tires to fit warehouse and yard forklifts, rough terrain trucks, personnel and utility vehicles, and floor cleaning equipment.

Benefits of Purchasing Tires from Shoppa's:

• Access to replacement tires
• Tire mounting and flat proofing
• Available press service
• Competitive prices
• In-stock availability on popular sizes
• Highly trained staff

Shoppa's Mid America will work hard to assess operating conditions and equipment in order to determine your specific tire needs. Contact us today for all your tire solutions or request a free tire quote today.

Order new forklift tires today and receive 10% OFF* of the regular price!

*Limited time offer. Promotional price valid through 12/15/13. Call for details.

Review Operator Safety Training OSHA Compliance Requirements

Shoppa's Offers Safety Training Programs for all Your Industrial Equipment Needs

OSHA regulations are tough and there are strict requirements for lift truck operator training and documentation. Shoppa's Mid America offers safety training classes to meet the needs of customers to be in compliance of the law.

It is important to Shoppa's to remind you of the basic safety training courses or refresher courses in order to keep up to code and maintain efficiency in your warehouse as well as worker safety. Some 100 people die annually in forklift accidents, and 30,000 more are injured. To help make your operations safer, make sure your company is educated by signing up for a safety training course.

OSHA regulations state that companies using powered industrial trucks are required to provide their operators with classroom instruction and hands-on training by a trained, knowledgeable and experienced instructor.

Shoppa's offers several training options to fit your company's needs including on-site training, Train-the-Trainer programs, video training, and operator permits and courses in an e-learning facility. The courses are a convenient and affordable way to ensure your warehouse is complying with OSHA regulations.

If you need to get new employees trained, Shoppa's Mid America offers one class per month at our facility for training. In other cases, we will go to your location for specific application training.

Contact a Shoppa's Mid America certified trainer today for more information on upcoming courses or to schedule a course today.