No two supply chain operations are identical, each with different spaces, diverse product types and a range of container shapes and sizes, notes Toyota Material Handling corporate sales executive Jenna Botterill, adding that the limitations of standard forklifts can be overcome with the use of custom attachments to ensure optimum material handling.

The correct attachment can help to speed up offloading and reduce idle time for trucks waiting to be loaded or unloaded, improving turnaround time and reducing logistics costs, she asserts.

Botterill says every enhancement to Toyota Material Handling’s equipment is designed to move a greater amount of product in fewer moves. “The more pallets or products our equipment can move per hour, the more efficient and cost-effective the operation becomes.”

“For example, our double pallet handlers enable operators to transport two pallets simultaneously, doubling throughput in a single cycle. It’s a small change with massive implications for productivity.”

Other attachments include the Rhino Horn for handling steel coils, a tyre clamp to handle multiple tyres in one go, paper roll and bale clamps for paper and tobacco and appliance clamps to handle products such as fridges.

The company offers in-house training, conducted at training centres in all major depots around the country, where customers can book drivers to undergo professional training, from novice to fully accredited operators.

In addition every delivery of new equipment includes on-site driver familiarisation, which is a hands-on introduction to help operators build confidence in handling the equipment to help reduce user errors and promote safety.

In warehousing, vertical storage is employed for cost-effective use of space, which requires specific material handling equipment that can be used to work at height.

“Our RRE reach truck range reaches up to 13 m high, enabling businesses to maximise racking space. Working at this height means operators need to continually look up, which can result in headaches and vertigo. A first for the industry is the RRE’s Tilting Cabin feature, which allows the entire cab to incline back as the operator lifts pallets, improving visibility and comfort while operating at height,” explains Botterill.

Toyota Material Handling notes that the lithium-ion batteries used in its equipment are guaranteed to deliver 20 000 hours of energy, equating to a lifespan of about 10 years. The batteries are sealed and generally maintenance-free, helping to lower maintenance costs and increase equipment lifespan.

The company also uses a range of technologies to help improve production efficiency and safety. Its Sens+ technology is a pedestrian detection system exclusive to the Toyota 8FBE models. Sens+ automatically disengages the forklift when it detects a person, vehicle or obstacle, reducing the risk of workplace accidents.

The I_Site fleet management system gives customers visibility over fleet performance and driver behaviour using a customised dashboard. From tracking pallets moved and generating automated reports, to monitoring impacts and driving patterns, the platform can be used as a performance and personnel management tool.