Sales staff analyse clients’ materials handling needs
ALAN PEAT
A GROWTH of 9000% in 20-years rather helps to confirm the basic philosophy on which Toyota Forklift was founded in 1984, according to national sales director Rob Dutton.
“The vision then,” he told FTW, “was to offer customers a universal materials handling solution - encompassing everything from the supply to the maintenance and even to the finance of equipment.”
This at a time when anti-SA sanctions were at a height, and when much of the materials handling equipment being slipped into the country from various sources would be termed “grey imports” - and often with little or no after sales support.
But the company philosophy, coupled with a world class range of equipment, now sees Toyota Forklift currently enjoying a 40% market share in the sale of new forklift trucks in the southern African region.
“We are the sole distributor of Toyota forklift trucks in the region,” said Dutton, “and worldwide Toyota is the most widely used forklift - supplying 20% of the global market.”
“This has been achieved through constant innovation and introducing ground-breaking technology, and Toyota’s resources in the field of technology are the backbone in the production of safe and efficient material handling equipment.”
Distribution and service is carried out through five wholly owned branches in the main SA centres, with two depots and nine dealers complementing the Southern Africa network.
“Our sales staff are experts in analysing clients’ materials handling needs, and ensuring that they are supplied with the correct machinery,” said Dutton.
“Our technical staff, meantime, are internationally accredited through our STEP training programme - designed to ensure that their knowledge is at the cutting edge of modern technology.”
Dutton expresses only optimism about the company’s future - where he expects increased dominance in the market place as well as continued company growth.
“The superiority of the Toyota, BT and Kalmar brands are already proven facts,” he said.
“However, research and development by these companies will ensure that the products they manufacture will continue to be at the cutting edge of materials handling technology - reducing costs and increasing productivity.”
