Florida Lift Systems

August Employee of the Month

2010-10-07T09:54:00.001-04:00

Florida Lift Systems Forklift Service at It’s Best!

We wanted to thank Robert “Bob” Morris for achieving “Employee of the Month” for August. He was nominated by Roy Benefield, our Columbus Branch Ops Manager and Olga MacLellan, our Tampa Branch Ops Manager. Bob Morris is our second ever “employee of the month” for the month of August. Bob has been an employee of Florida Lift Systems since 11/16/1986. I have heard Bob mention many times, “you know I will do anything for this company.” Anyone can say that but driving eight hours on a Sunday to help a group of people who he has never met before, and really has no ties to, is Teamwork and shows Initiative; two very important values on FLS/SST.

Congratulations Bob!

Please read below to find out how he was nominated for employee of the month.

“I would like to recognize Bob Morris for his willingness to go anywhere and do anything that is required. Recently he was asked to go to Columbus, GA for a week and help out in the shop and on the road. Bob accepted willingly, traveled up on a Sunday and worked hard all week. Roy Benefield was extremely pleased with Bob and was hoping Bob would be willing to relocate…:-)”

- written by Olga MacLellan.

Tampa Bay Rays Game

2010-09-20T16:40:00.001-04:00

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We had a blast and we would do it again!

In celebration of achieving the Toyota President’s Award for 2009 Florida Lift System's employees and their families enjoyed an evening at a Tampa Bay Rays game. We could not have obtained this prestigious award without the help of each and every employee… and their families. We understand that while our employees are at work they are Not At Home with their loved ones. We don’t take that for granted. We wanted to treat the whole family to an evening with fun, food, sports, and lots of pictures, thanks to Rob Budd.

I’d like to thank Kerry Reese for all her help. I think we were a great team!

Tampa Bay Rays beat Texas 10 – 1!

Also see the pictures on our Facebook Account.

Kristine Coyer, CSP

Steve Crawford-Employee of the Month!

2010-09-08T16:15:00.002-04:00

Sorry we were late in publishing this information, but it's better late than never. We wanted to thank Steve Crawford for the time he spent with a very special customer of ours in Macon, GA. Steve Dunn our Macon Branch Ops Manager, wanted to make sure that Steve was recognized in some way. Steve Crawford is our first ever “employee of the month.” Steve Crawford is a service technician in our Ocala branch. So in addition to his stellar feedback, we want to thank him for traveling the distance to help this customer. Steve has been an employee of TMH Acquisitions, LLC since we acquired Handling Systems Engineering in May of 2004. He started with Handling Systems Engineering in September of 1999.

Congratulations Steve!

Please read below to find out how he was nominated for employee of the month.

“I just wanted to THANK you for sending Steve Crawford to Macon this week. He walked into a very tough situation and handled it with the utmost professionalism. It was a privilege to work with him … side by side trying to help this customer through a very tough time. His work ethic and attitude was commented on by the customer… They were hoping he could come back. He has helped us and the customer resurrect units that many others would have just left for “dead” and will be leaving the customer in “better shape then they have been in over a year,” customer commented”. (written by Steve Dunn)

Written by Kristine Coyer, HRM

Valdosta Chamber of Commerce

2010-09-03T10:23:00.001-04:00

Employee Appreciation Night

2010-06-25T11:03:00.001-04:00

Florida Lift Systems would like to thank all of our hard working employees and their families for their help in achieving the 2009 President’s Award. The President’s Award, TMHU’s highest honor, has been awarded to select dealers since its inception in 1990 to acknowledge their outstanding business accomplishments.

See our previous blog post from April 9, 2010: Congratulations Florida Lift Systems

Florida Lift Systems, Tampa and Winter Haven locations are sponsoring a Employee Appreciation Family Night at the Tampa Bay Rays Game on August 17, 2010. The Rays will be playing the Texas Rangers. We will all be sitting together in the Corona Beach Bar area. Please RSVP to reserve your seats.

Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication! Go Rays!

Open Enrollment

2010-04-28T13:59:00.001-04:00

Open Enrollment is here!

Benefits Open Enrollment for the 2010-2011 Plan Year is here! This is your annual opportunity to review your benefit options and confirm or change your elections – making sure your benefits are right for your needs. The benefit elections you make during Open Enrollment will be effective June 1, 2010.

What You Need to Do: Enroll Online

You can complete the entire Open Enrollment process at www.mytotalsource.com.

Review your options – either on My TotalSource or in the printed Open Enrollment Kit that you’ll receive (please allow 5-7 business days for delivery). You don’t have to wait for your kit to enroll online!

Consider your health care and other benefits needs – be prepared and informed.
Have your Social Security number and those of dependents you wish to cover, if applicable – you’ll need them to enroll online.
Complete your elections online at www.mytotalsource.com* by 04/30/2010. It’s faster, easier and more accurate than using a paper form to enroll.
You must actively enroll if you want to participate in a Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSA elections don’t roll over from year to year.

On My TotalSource you’ll find:

Access to your current benefit elections
Summaries of your 2010 benefit options so you can make educated choices
Immediate confirmation of your elections
Timely receipt of your new ID cards, if applicable

Even after Open Enrollment, you’ll find useful information on My TotalSource, including:

Access to My Paycheck (view your paycheck details and history)
Information on the Perks program (discounts on a wide range of premium-brand products, services and entertainment as well as Real Estate and Financial Services)

If You Don’t Take Action

If you don’t make any elections, you will automatically receive default coverage (the available plans that are most similar to your current elections) for the 2010-2011 Plan Year. Remember, your per-pay-period costs may change. To participate in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), you must re-enroll each year; these elections do not roll over from year to year.

Remember, the last date to return your elections is 04/30/2010.

What’s Next?

After your Open Enrollment deadline date, you’ll receive a Confirmation Statement in the mail – it will list your benefit plans for the 2010-2011 Plan Year.
Please contact the Employee Service Center at (800) 554-1802 if you have any questions/concerns.

Regards,

Kristine Coyer, CSP

Human Resources Manager

*If you can’t enroll online, you may fill out the form included in your Open Enrollment Kit. FAX IT TO Kristine Coyer at 813-635-2945. Please call to confirm it was received.

Easily, Rent Now

2010-04-23T10:57:00.001-04:00

Southern States Toyota lift and Florida Lift Systems recognize the necessity for equipment that must fill a temporary need in your business. That is why we carry a wide range of forklift rental units that are ready and waiting for you to use in your facility at short notice. With locations throughout Southern Georgia and Florida, chances are we have a location convenient for your business

Whether your needs are short term (a day to a few weeks) or long term (a few months or more), Southern States Toyota lift and Florida Lift have the proper forklift to meet your special needs.

Key Benefits:

Over 200 fork lifts available
Narrow aisle and "walkie" walk-behind units
Daily / Weekly / Monthly or Long Term agreements
Rental purchase programs
LP / Diesel / Electric / Gas units available
Units up to 17,500 lbs available

To speak with our Rental Team directly, call: (800) 226-2345

Click on the forklift picture to see Rental and Parts Coupons!

BuzzNet Tags: warehouse forklift,forklift,equipment rental,equipment rentals,material handling equipment

Toyota 4Y Industrial Engine

2010-04-19T10:47:00.001-04:00

BuzzNet Tags: Tampa Forklift,Orlando Forklift,Jacksonville Forklift

Manual vs Electric Pallet Jack

2010-04-13T15:20:00.001-04:00

We can thank Brad Birrenkott, Florida Lift Sales Team, for this insightful information helping a customer with the difference between the manual and electric pallet jacks.

“Thank you for the status update at L-3. After reading about your purchase process it makes sense that there should be some justification for the purchase. I did a little research myself that might be of assistance when compiling your evidence.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries, costing industry billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering borne by employees (OSHA).

The stress of the manual jack can accumulate over a period of time. Safety professionals teach that the preferred method for applying force is to push, rather than pull a load, but with manual pallet jacks, that practice is hard to follow. I will say that in practical usage, both pushing and pulling are necessary to move, transport, and place a load. This is why electric pallet jacks were invented, to take the strain off the body and be able to move heavy loads safely and efficiently.

The general consensus regarding electric jacks vs. manual jacks can be summed up by the saying “an ounce of prevention vs. a pound of cure”. According to United States Department of Labor companies should “utilize power equipment rather than manual to reduce ergonomic stresses.” http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/grocerywarehousing/transport_techniques.html. By reducing the stress on your employees the L-3 has reduced the potential for employee injury and expensive compensation claims.

I hope this is of some assistance in your process and I look forward to following up soon.”

Sincerely,

Brad Birrenkott

Florida Lift Systems, Inc.

www.sstlift.com

BuzzNet Tags: Forklift Safety,accident prevention,Forklift Training

Congratulations Florida Lift Systems

2010-04-09T14:16:00.001-04:00

Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) recently announced the 2009 winners of its prestigious President’s Award. TMHU selects its top dealers each year from a nationwide network of 68 dealers and 188 dealership locations, recognizing them for demonstrating excellence in parts, service and equipment sales, customer satisfaction and overall dealership operations.

This year, 15 winners earned the coveted award and were acknowledged at Toyota’s National Dealer Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"Each year our dealers go above and beyond to demonstrate top quality service and support," said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. "The President’s Award provides TMHU with a way to showcase their achievements and honor their dedication to their customers and the material handling industry."

The winners are:

Al Rawson of Atlas Toyota Material Handling, Schiller Park, III.
Ron McCluskey of Brodie Toyota-Lift, Lawrence, Mass.
Anika Conger Capelle of Conger Toyotalift, Green Bay, Wis.
Jeff Fischer of Florida Lift Systems, Inc., Tampa, Fla.
Bob Whittingham of Forklifts of St. Louis, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.
Brian Hull of Hull Toyota Lift, Elkhart, Ind.
Ted Wente of ILT Toyota-Lift, Cleveland, Ohio
Sam Swartz of JRC Toyota-Lift, Worthington, Ohio
Don Herman of Lift, Inc., Mountville, Pa.
David Graffy of ProLift Industrial Equipment, Louisville, Ky.
Jim Shoppa of Shoppa’s Material Handling, Ltd., Fort Worth, Texas
John Scheunemann of Toyota-Lift of Minnesota, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Ken Townsend of Toyota Lift of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas
Mark Andres of Toyota Material Handling Northern California, Hayward, Calif.
Ken Turnmyre of Vesco Toyotalift, Hickory, N.C.

The President’s Award, TMHU’s highest honor, has been awarded to select dealers since its inception in 1990 to acknowledge their outstanding business accomplishments.

BuzzNet Tags: Forklift Award,Forklift News,Dealership Award,Presidents Award

Social Networking

2010-04-07T16:13:00.003-04:00

“Social Networking”
It’s a term most of us probably know little about, yet all of us have seen the tools.

Ever notice thisat the bottom of every single website and commercial now?

You probably even know that this is a link to a Facebook page. Have you ever clicked on it? Do you have a Facebook page?

The effects of the economy have been quite obvious over the last year, especially here at home. FLS and SST are reaching out and getting creative; we are doing whatever it takes to pull through, to gain ground, to beat out the competition, to come out on top. Now is the time to get our name, our brand, our services, in the mind of everyone. “Social Networking” is just one, but extremely powerful tool, we are developing to do this. Best of all, it’s free!

Help us expand our Network

Here is how you can participate in this effort and be a key player in making our home what it once was…It’s only 3 steps!

1. Log on or make a Facebook Profile. Click video to play.

Note: It’s best to use a non-work related email for registration to help broaden our network.

2. Join the FLS page.

Click to go to the FLS page.
Next click become a fan at the top of the page.

3. Suggest our page to all you’re friends. Also, encourage them to do the same.

This is the most important step!

You are helping the FLS and SST family expand and grow!

Florida’s Natural Pro AM

2010-03-23T10:49:00.001-04:00

Congratulation to the Florida Lift Team that participated in the Florida’s Natural Pro AM golf tournament fundraiser who placed 1st. Also congratulations to Jenny Gleason, who placed 6th overall in the tournament of 250, competing for a spot on the LPGA. The annual event averages $50,000 benefiting Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation.

Pictured left to right: Charles Matlock, Michael Weathers, Jenny Gleason, Mike Parker, Ed from Florida’s Natural.

Toyota Industries Corporation

2010-03-22T16:03:00.001-04:00

KARIYA, Aichi, Japan — (March 22, 2010) —

Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) today announced it is formalizing the management and operations structure of Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) to further strengthen the Toyota and Raymond brands in North America. This restructuring originating from a long-term growth plan launched in 2005 allows all TMHNA organizations to better collaborate on business efficiencies and share resources resulting in continually improving levels of quality, service and support. TMHNA is comprised of Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM), the Columbus, Ind.-based lift truck manufacturing plant; Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc., (TMHU), North America’s number one supplier of lift trucks; and The Raymond Corporation, the North American market leader in electric warehouse trucks. TMHNA will be headquartered at Toyota’s TIEM facilities in Columbus, Ind. The new management and operations structure will strengthen North American regional coordination, while continuing to grow the existing brands and maintaining distribution channels for Toyota and Raymond.

“Today we are further evolving TMHNA’s capabilities to better leverage the knowledge and expertise throughout our North American companies,” said Tatsuo Matsuura, chairman of the Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG). “This step will ensure that Toyota and Raymond customers continue to receive the best products and service in the industry.”

TICO formed the TMHG to better leverage the Toyota, BT and Raymond brands and operations worldwide. TMHNA was formed by TMHG as a framework to support the North American market. Management Appointments As part of the reorganization, key management positions have been appointed, effective April 1, 2010:

Kazue Sasaki will be appointed chairman of TMHNA and will continue to serve as president of TIEM and Toyota Industries North America, Inc. (TINA). He also will serve on the board for TMHU. Sasaki brings more than 20 years of management and engineering experience, most recently serving as a senior managing officer of TICO.
James Malvaso will be appointed president and chief executive officer of TMHNA, and thus will resign as the president and chief executive officer of Raymond. He has been president/CEO/chairman of Raymond for 13 years and has more than 35 years of operations, sales & marketing experience. Malvaso, a recognized leader in the materials handling industry, is a former president of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) and a current member of ITA’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Charles Pascarelli will be appointed president of the Raymond Sales division of The Raymond Corporation, which includes sales, marketing, distribution development and aftermarket services. He has more than 25 years of proven success in leading companies to sales and marketing excellence. Pascarelli has been with Raymond since 2007 and has served as executive vice president of sales and marketing at Raymond since 2009.
Michael Field will be appointed president of the Raymond Operations division of The Raymond Corporation, which includes manufacturing, quality assurance, engineering and procurement. Field has over 20 years of experience managing engineering and operations groups at industrial companies. Field has been with Raymond since 2004 and has served as executive vice president of operations at Raymond since January 2009.
Brett Wood will continue to serve as president for TMHU. A TMHU associate since 1989, Wood formerly served as the company’s vice president of marketing, product and strategic planning and training operations and previously oversaw dealer development. Wood is a member of ITA’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Ed Rompala will serve as chief financial officer for TMHNA and will remain as chief financial officer for The Raymond Corporation. Rompala has served as Raymond’s CFO since 1998.
Hitoshi Matsuoka is appointed TMHNA Executive Coordinator, and will remain as Executive Vice President/Treasurer for TMHU.
Kazuhiro Kurosaka is appointed TMHNA Coordinator, in addition to serving as Finance & Planning Coordinator for TIEM.

Spring Savings!-Parts Special

2010-03-17T09:31:00.001-04:00

Introducing the New 4-Wheel Electric 8FBCU

2010-03-15T16:13:00.001-04:00

March 4, 2010 Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) unveiled its innovative new line of 8-Series 4-wheel AC electric lift trucks, available in 4,000 to 6,500 pound load capacities—including a new 5,500 pound model. Ideally suited for virtually every indoor material handling need, from food and beverage to general warehousing and distribution centers, this AC-powered lift truck delivers longer runtimes and offers quicker acceleration, elevating the industry standards of productivity, efficiency, durability and safety. The new 4-wheel models will be manufactured exclusively at the company’s facility in Columbus, Ind., Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM) starting this May with orders currently being accepted though Florida Lift Systems and Southern States Toyota Lift.

―To meet customers’ needs for increased productivity and efficiency, we are introducing the most powerful AC electric lift truck Toyota has ever built,‖ said Brett Wood, president of TMHU.

With the 8-Series 4-wheel AC-powered lift trucks, Toyota offers our customers improved performance speedsincluding up to 21 percent faster travel speeds over the previous model. Toyota’s New 8-Series 4-Wheel Electric Lift Truck Raises Industry Standards.

AC Power System with Revved- Up Travel and Lift Speeds

Toyota was the first major lift truck supplier to bring AC technology to the North American market. Taking this acclaimed technological advancement to new levels, Toyota’s lift truck offerings now include a 4-wheel AC-powered lift truck with the distinct performance advantages of Toyota-designed, motors and controllers. The AC-powered system is comprised of a series of subsystems—each of which either conserves or regenerates power to maximize operational productivity between battery charges. The motor features a ―power keep‖ function, which is designed to compensate for battery depletion and corresponding loss of performance, allowing for longer run times and more consistent power output throughout the length of each battery charge cycle. In addition, energy is continually recovered through three forms of regenerative braking, coast control, plug braking and foot braking extending run times significantly and prolonging brake component life.

Reduced Maintenance to Improve Customers’ Bottom Line

Toyota’s virtually maintenance-free AC power system contains no motor brushes, springs, commutator or wearable parts to service and replace, resulting in fewer, quicker and less expensive maintenance and operational costs. The lift truck’s AC-powered drive system and AC-powered hydraulic system boost travel and lift speeds. Also, by controlling the on-demand, full hydrostatic power steering through the AC hydraulic motor system, there is one less motor to service and maintain.
This notable increase in AC-powered performance, combined with a reduction in down time for maintenance, means significant enhancements in productivity and efficiency for customers.

Enhanced Visibility

A number of operator visibility enhancing features were integrated into the new
4-wheel electric AC lift trucks including angled tie-bars on both the overhead guard and load backrest extension along with lowered free-lift cylinders on both the 3-stage and
4-stage masts. The 8-Series Multifunction Digital Display was also integrated into the front cowl to give the operator an uncluttered forward view toward the load and operating environment, and the fork color was changed to orange in order to help clearly define the position of the fork tips.

Additional Lift Truck Operability Enhancements

A Momentary Hold and Controlled Descent feature is now standard and maximizes lift truck control by regulating rolling speed when the accelerator pedal is released on a grade. It also allows the lift truck to be started on an inclined surface without rolling backward.
Also, a Shock Sensor option, integrated into the multifunction digital display, enables end users to monitor lift truck damage or fleet abuse. When an impact is detected that exceeds a pre-set level it warns the operator by displaying a highlighted ―Shock Sensor Alarm icon on the display and sounding a buzzer. At the same time the controller records the date and time of the event to be later retrieved by the warehouse manager through the digital display. If the lift truck is equipped with the Keyless Entry System option the controller will also record the PIN of the operator that was driving the unit at the time of truck impact. This will facilitate determining the operator responsible for the damage caused to the equipment. This system cannot be deactivated even if the operator tries to reset it by either turning the key, off and on again, or by disconnecting
and reconnecting the battery connector. Only the warehouse manager with the appropriate password can reset the system. Additionally, for maximum productivity and to minimize product damage, an Auto Height Select option is available to allow warehouse managers to program the lift truck to automatically stop the forks up to three pre-determined rack heights.

Call now to place orders or for additional info.

Southern States Toyotalift and Florida Lift Systems
800.226.2345 | info@floridalift.com
115 S. 78th St, Tampa, FL 33619

Toyota Fast Facts

2010-03-12T12:32:00.001-05:00

                                                        March 8, 2010
This is Toyota Fast Facts, an update on breaking news, our recent recalls and the work we are doing to make things right for our customers. Please feel free to share this information with family and friends. For additional information and breaking news, please visitwww.toyotanewsroom.com.

1. Toyota Rebuts Unintended Acceleration Study Presented to Congress

Toyota today raised serious concerns about the validity, methodology and credibility of a demonstration of alleged unintended acceleration in a Toyota Avalon by University of Southern Illinois professor David Gilbert. He presented his findings during a Congressional hearing and on a segment of ABC News.
At a news briefing this morning at TMS headquarters in Torrance, Calif., Toyota revealed the results of a comprehensive analysis conducted by the company and engineering consulting firm Exponent. The analysis of Gilbert’s findings shows:
1.        The Toyota vehicle’s electronics were rewired and reengineered in multiple ways and in a specific sequence. There is no evidence to suggest that this highly unlikely scenario has ever occurred in the real world.
2.        The electronic systems were actively manipulated to mimic a valid full-throttle condition
3.        Substantially similar results can be obtained in vehicles made by other manufacturers.
On hand to discuss these findings were J. Christian Gerdes, mechanical engineering professor at Stanford University and director, Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS); Subodh Medhekar, principal engineer, Exponent; and Kristen Tabar, general manager of Electronics Systems, Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
To read the news release and view related materials, please click on: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/electronic-throttle-control-154300.aspx.

2. Toyota Responds to House Committee Request
Toyota will cooperate with a request from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for additional information about unintended acceleration.
In a letter sent Friday to TMS President and COO Jim Lentz, committee chairman Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, said there is an “absence of documents showing that Toyota has systematically investigated the possibility of electronic defects that could cause sudden unintended acceleration.”
In response, Toyota issued the following statement:
“We have received the letter, and will, of course, cooperate. Toyota has already agreed to keep the committee informed on a regular basis. We are providing them with the Exponent report and results of additional testing by Toyota regarding erroneous allegations by [Southern Illinois University professor David] Gilbert that sudden unwanted acceleration can easily be induced in real world conditions. Toyota has offered to demonstrate the results of our further research and would welcome committee representatives to observe those demonstrations.
“Toyota is quickly investigating verifiable complaints of unintended acceleration and we are doing everything we can to ensure that our customers are confident in their vehicles and the remedies.”

3. Gawker.com Calls Part of ABC News Report ‘Staged’
In the ABC News segment about professor David Gilbert’s allegations of unintended acceleration, reporter Brian Ross and his crew fabricated a critical shot of the Toyota’s tachometer, according to Gawker.com. Gawker contends that ABC then inserted the shot into a sequence that shows Ross driving the car in a way that manipulated reality for dramatic effect to suit his story line. “The tachometer footage is faked,” Gawker said.
To read Gawker’s report and its update about a reedit by ABC, click on: http://gawker.com/5486666/how-abc-news-brian-ross-staged-his-toyota-death-ride.

4. U.S. News and World Report Offers Five Reasons to Buy a Toyota
Although Toyota has taken a nose dive, it will recover, writes Rick Newman in U.S. News and World Report. And he offers five reasons to buy a Toyota vehicle: “Safety concerns are exaggerated, recalls aren’t the whole story, Toyota’s not alone, the cars are still good, and [Toyota offers] white-glove treatment.” To read the article, click on: http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/flowchart/2010/03/02/5-reasons-to-buy-a-toyota.html.

Minit-Charger

2010-03-12T09:34:00.001-05:00

Used Equipment Showroom

2010-03-11T14:37:00.001-05:00

“NEW IDEA” from Valdosta

According to Max Lewis-Branch Ops. Mgr and Jody Hall-Territory Manager, things are picking up in Valdosta. We are seeing a fairly significant level of customers stopping in to look at equipment. Max’s idea was to be ‘Customer Ready’ at all times by having a place to take a customer to immediately to show an array of used equipment available. Therefore a used equipment showroom is being developed to meet this new demand.

Jody now can suggest to customers that they can stop in and see the equipment if he is not there, and be confident of what they will see. Max has been a good ‘pinch hitter’ according to Jody and has done well hosting accounts and doing a good walk-around.

This is ‘TEAM-WORK’ in action!

Good things happening and the economy appears to be gaining some steam.

If you are doing something special or a little ‘out of the box’, or maybe just different for you, send it in. We need all of the good ideas we can find.

Great Job TEAM—Valdosta!

-Jeff Fischer

Green Solutions

2010-03-03T13:27:00.001-05:00

Click here to view the President of Florida Lift Systems, Jeff Fischer, talk in more detail about how to become more green using a Toyota.

Max on used parts program

2010-03-01T18:52:00.001-05:00

It seems as though our new “Used Parts Program” is already experiencing some success. If you missed it, see Feb. 17th, blog entry UPDATE ON ‘USED PARTS’ PROJECT.

Below is an email announcement from Max Lewis II, Branch Manager in Valdosta, highlighting how he recently utilized the new program.

“This program helped me out greatly. I had a 7FBEU15 rental loose a drive unit. The parts to rental were over 4K alone. Ed found me a used drive unit and Lummie met me half way with it. We were able to fix the truck in under 24 hours and saved the company a lot of money. A Big thanks to Ed and Lummie”.

Max Lewis II

Branch Operations Manager

Southern States TOYOTA Lift

Valdosta Ga.

BevOps 2010

2010-03-01T14:20:00.001-05:00

Earth-Friendly Toyota Forklifts

2010-02-27T09:25:00.001-05:00

Toyota exec: Focus on safety

2010-02-26T09:19:00.001-05:00

Toyota Exec: Focus on Safety

As seen in the Orlando Sentinel. February 22, 2010|By Ed Sheehy, Guest columnist

In 1937, Toyota entered the auto market with a simple but powerful principle: to build the highest-quality and safest automobiles in the world. Our customers and the reliability of our vehicles have always been our top priorities.

The past few weeks have been challenging for Toyota and its dealerships nationwide. We have seen sales drop due to the temporary halt in the sale of eight models while repairs were made, and we have struggled with the fluctuating confidence of prospective customers who have been inundated by aggressive media coverage, which has often blurred the facts.

However, we believe Toyota's remedies only underline the company's commitment to drivers' safety, and we are proud to support their efforts.

As the president of Southeast Toyota Distributors, I am confident in the products we sell and proud of the impact that Toyota has had in America.

The company's total U.S. investment has grown to more than $18 billion and, together with dealers and suppliers, Toyota has helped create more than 200,000 jobs in the U.S.

Recalls are not unprecedented, and many other car makers are currently experiencing them as well.

While the number of vehicles that Toyota has recalled may seem significant, it is worth putting this issue in context.

Confirmed incidents of unintended acceleration are a very small fraction of Toyota's vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's online database indicates that most automotive manufacturers have received numerous consumer complaints of unintended acceleration, including the other four with the largest shares of the U.S. market, and have had to recall vehicles because of this issue.

According to an independent report by Edmunds.com, Toyota still has the fewest complaints of all major automotive manufacturers.

Among the 2.3 million vehicles that were recalled, along with those affected models that were temporarily unable to be sold due to a sticking accelerator pedal, fewer than 20 cases have been confirmed — none of which has resulted in any accident.

While Toyota takes responsibility, we want to remind you that these vehicles were recalled voluntarily because safety and quality are paramount to our company. We believe that the voluntary recall reinforced Toyota's unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. Toyota is using this time as an opportunity to review all aspects of their vehicles and make them better.

We remain focused on our customers — their safety and satisfaction. All of our dealerships have extended service hours, some operating around the clock with a second shift of technicians, to make sure repairs are as simple and trouble free for customers as possible.

Our loyal customers continue to support us and express their trust in Toyota. We sincerely thank them and promise that we will do everything in our power to show that it is deserved.

The silver lining to recent events has been the renewed opportunity to receive feedback on everything we do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ed Sheehy of Deerfield Beach is president of Southeast Toyota Distributors. It distributes Toyota and Scion vehicles, parts and accessories to 173 Toyota dealers in Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Florida, including Legacy Toyota in Tallahassee. Contact him at sheehy@setoyota.com.

Testimonial

2010-02-25T12:35:00.001-05:00

See our upcoming forklift training events or call us at (800) 226-2345 to speak to a training expert today. You can also see our Customer Information Pack which should answer any questions you have concerning your training needs.

Correction

2010-02-22T10:20:00.001-05:00

Recently some friends at Ring Power kindly distributed an article first seen from Forkliftaction.com, highlighting a rare incident involving a Toyota Forklift. The article seen below summarizes a lawsuit in which Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing(TIEM) lost an appeal in an isolated case in which a tire split on a 7-Series Toyota and rolled over.

On the second page, Ring Lift suggests that someone has claimed that the SAS system will prevent a roll over in any situation. This in fact is not true and is unfortunate that Ring Lift is merely playing on the emotions of the recent Toyota Car recalls.(See Feb.9th Blog entry)

No, Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing does not claim the SAS system will prevent a Roll Over in any situation. However, they do claim that it will prevent a Roll Over in most situations, that it is the safest system on the market, and lift trucks with this system installed have the best safety record. See below.

If it is not the safest, What Is?

We would also like to point out that SAS system is not intended to stabilize a lift truck in midair.

“Dead Reckoning”

2010-02-19T15:07:00.001-05:00

At the most recent 'Focus Meeting' in Winter Haven branch, Branch Operations Manager Mike Weathers stands by the 'Dead Reckoning' list of recently acquired 'Conquered Accounts' that the Dead Reckoning process helped us break into or significantly increase our sales to, ultimately better serving the customer.

Some really great work has been done by everyone at the Winter Haven branch with Special
Acknowledgement to Dave Noll and Tyrone Miller for some outstanding effort in capturing 'New Business'

Great Work you guys!

-Jeff Fischer

UPDATE ON ‘USED PARTS’ PROJECT

2010-02-17T15:52:00.001-05:00

UPDATE ON ‘USED PARTS’ PROJECT

As you can see, we are actively creating a good size inventory of pre-owned parts that we can use for customers and our own used and rental fleets. Please be aware of the fact we are doing this and that we can, more than likely, help you with parts off of 5 and 7-series electrics and 7-series IC trucks.

This will save us all money and helps us get on the road to recovery!

The young man shown below, Conbralius “C” Thomas, is a former apprentice—turned ‘young professional technician’ that just rebuilt the tranny in this old 5 series and we are selling it now. This is his first one.

Edd Orlowski wanted to get this fine picture out to help spread the word that the parts inventory is growing and that we are already taking advantage of the wealth of pre-owned parts to serve our customers when they most need cost efficient, reliable parts.

Used parts and inventory will soon be available via our website. This is one project of many currently in progress that will comprise a complete overhaul to our current site.

Please share with your teams. THINK USED, THINK SAVINGS, THINK RECOVERY.

-Jeff Fischer

New Rent Online

2010-02-12T15:04:00.001-05:00

For once, we’re not encouraging you to buy a Toyota.

When you need to rent, rent the best — America’s #1 selling lift trucks. It could be an opportune time to rent if your company expects an increase in business activity — or you’re considering the purchase of additional lift trucks. Our quality and reputation for reliability make Toyota lift trucks ideal for rentals, short or long-term. And, after renting a Toyota lift truck, you just might be sold on owning one. So don’t let another shift go by without the dependability of a Toyota — Rent Online Today!

Toyota Repairs

2010-02-11T15:53:00.001-05:00

Toyota's plan to repair its public image

By Akio Toyoda

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

More than 70 years ago, Toyota entered the auto business based on a simple, but powerful, principle: that Toyota would build the highest-quality, safest and most reliable automobiles in the world. The company has always put the needs of our customers first and made the constant improvement of our vehicles a top priority. That is why 80 percent of all Toyotas sold in the United States over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

When consumers purchase a Toyota, they are not simply purchasing a car, truck or van. They are placing their trust in our company. The past few weeks, however, have made clear that Toyota has not lived up to the high standards we set for ourselves. More important, we have not lived up to the high standards you have come to expect from us. I am deeply disappointed by that and apologize. As the president of Toyota, I take personal responsibility. That is why I am personally leading the effort to restore trust in our word and in our products.

For much of Toyota's history, we have ensured the quality and reliability of our vehicles by placing a device called an andon cord on every production line -- and empowering any team member to halt production if there's an assembly problem. Only when the problem is resolved does the line begin to move again.

Two weeks ago, I pulled the andon cord for our company. I ordered production of eight models in five plants across North America temporarily stopped so that we could focus on fixing our customers' vehicles that might be affected by sticking accelerator pedals. Today, Toyota team members and dealers across North America are working around the clock to repair all recalled vehicles.

But to regain the trust of American drivers and their families, more is needed. We are taking responsibility for our mistakes, learning from them and acting immediately to address the concerns of consumers and independent government regulators.

First, I have launched a top-to-bottom review of our global operations to ensure that problems of this magnitude do not happen again and that we not only meet but exceed the high safety standards that have defined our long history. As part of this, we will establish an Automotive Center of Quality Excellence in the United States, where a team of our top engineers will focus on strengthening our quality management and quality control across North America.

Second, to ensure that our quality-control operations are in line with best industry practices, we will ask a blue-ribbon safety advisory group composed of respected outside experts in quality management to independently review our operations and make sure that we have eliminated any deficiencies in our processes. The findings of these experts will be made available to the public, as will Toyota's responses to these findings.

Third, we fully understand that we need to more aggressively investigate complaints we hear directly from consumers and move more quickly to address any safety issues we identify. That is what we are doing by addressing customer concerns about the Prius and Lexus HS250h anti-lock brake systems.

We also are putting in place steps to do a better job within Toyota of sharing important quality and safety information across our global operations. This shortcoming contributed to the current situation. With respect to sticking accelerator pedals, we failed to connect the dots between problems in Europe and problems in the United States because the European situation related primarily to right-hand-drive vehicles.

Toyota will increase its outreach to government agencies charged with protecting the safety of motorists and passengers. I have spoken with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and given him my personal assurance that lines of communications with safety agencies and regulators will be kept open, that we will communicate more frequently and that we will be more vigilant in responding to those officials on all matters.

In recent years, much has been written about what we call "the Toyota Way" -- the values and principles at the heart of our company. Chief among these is our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement: going to the source of a problem and fixing it. While problems with our cars have been rare over the years, the issues that Toyota is addressing today are by far the most serious we have ever faced.

But great companies learn from their mistakes, and we know that we have to win back the trust of our customers by adhering to the very values on which that trust was first built. The hundreds of thousands of men and women at Toyota operations worldwide -- including the 172,000 team members and dealers in North America -- are among the best in the auto industry. Whatever problems have occurred within our company, the strength and commitment to fix them resides within our company as well.

You have my commitment that Toyota will revitalize the simple but powerful principle that has guided us for 50 years: Toyota will build the highest-quality, safest and most reliable automobiles in the world.

The writer is president of Toyota Motor Co.

Training

2010-02-10T10:56:00.001-05:00

Click HERE to go directly to our training page and see the entire customer training package including a signup form.

2010-02-09T12:38:00.001-05:00

Dear Team Toyota,
The recent events and growing media coverage surrounding Toyota Motor Corporation’s motor vehicle accelerator pedal issue have led to questions about whether this issue faced by Toyota’s automotive division affects the industrial equipment division of Toyota.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you, our highly respected dealers, and our valued customers that this design issue in no way affects any industrial products distributed by Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU). All Toyota industrial lift trucks, tow tractors and aerial work platforms (branded as Aichi) fall under the responsibility of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), which utilizes completely different engineers, manufacturing facilities and suppliers.

Should your industrial equipment customers have additional concerns after reviewing this information, please feel free to contact TMHU’s Product Support department at
(949) 223-7755 or ProductSupport@tmhu.com.

Sincerely,
Brett Wood

Linde MH delivers first trucks with fuel cells

2010-02-05T11:16:00.001-05:00

Linde Material Handling incorporates fuel cell trucks into its product range

With the delivery of two fuel-cell trucks to the Linde Gases Division, part of technology company The Linde Group, Linde Material Handling has taken another important step on the road to more intensive use of innovative drive technology. As the first industrial truck manufacturer in Europe, Linde MH has incorporated fuel cell trucks into its product range. The trucks are now offered as standard and with immediate effect, as a "Customised Option".

Both fuel-cell trucks are based on the 3-tonne electric counterbalanced truck, the Linde E30. In addition, the enhanced beverage industry version offers an optimised view over the load. In place of the usual 80-volt battery, the trucks have a fuel cell and a tank, which stores 1.6 kilograms of hydrogen gas at 350 bar. The electricity generated from the hydrogen supplies the electric motors that drive the truck. Alongside this are so-called supercaps, large condensers, which act as a buffer and cover performance peaks, such as pulling away or lifting, for example. The trucks bear the CE mark and are permitted for use on public roads. When it comes to performance data, the trucks are not different to the equivalent battery-powered model in the range and they are tailored spe-cially to Linde Gas' customer requirements.

The benefit of the fuel-cell drive for Linde Gas is the "zero emissions" that these trucks produce when used. The only waste product from the splitting of hydrogen molecules is pure water. Another benefit of fuel cells, in comparison to other drive concepts, is that there is no longer a requirement for battery replacement or a battery charging process lasting a number of hours. In the same way, the safety risks relating to the use of battery acid are removed. In order to be able to use the trucks, drivers only require an extra hour and a half driving lesson, along with a valid forklift licence for the advanced trucks.

TOYOTA JOINS THE LEAN FACTORY GROUP

2010-02-04T10:42:00.001-05:00

Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) today announced it will participate with The Lean Factory Group, an association of America’s leading lean manufacturing product and service providers, to showcase its Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) technologies at the Automation Technology Expo, ATX West. The event will take place Feb. 9-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, Calif., and TMHU will be in booth no. 4175.

The Lean Factory Group featuring Toyota, Bosch Rexroth, Orgatex, Leonardo Group Americas and Automation Controls will offer workshops designed to educate show visitors on lean manufacturing techniques and technologies, including the use of fully automated industrial equipment. The group also will highlight available AGV options with the ultimate goal of creating a lean production environment.

By integrating AGVs to help automate a warehouse or manufacturing facility, companies can reduce operating costs and increase overall efficiency, said Martin Boyd, national product planning and marketing manager for TMHU. At ATX West, Toyota and the Lean Factory Group will provide workshop participants with an interactive look at AGV products and services available to assist in achieving a lean, streamlined production environment.

Toyota’s AGVs will be one highlight, along with workstations and flow-racks, floor markings and protective tape for AGV paths, PLCs and sensors. The expo will include educational sessions that demonstrate the importance of a data-driven approach to line design; the need to create an environment that supports lean production with the right equipment and infrastructure; and the tools to create a Visual Factory. Participants will witness the step-by-step creation of an optimized lean production environment, culminating in an actual build demonstration on an optimum lean line.

Ask Your Technician

2010-02-03T10:32:00.001-05:00

Mast Carriage Rollers and Side Thrust Rollers

Toyota is always working to increase the reliability and safety of every product. As the newest product bulletin from Toyota Material Handling shows, applications that require the operator to handle loads that are not centered with the mast can lead to accelerated wear and/or damage to the mast and attachment. As shown in the picture below, additional side thrust rollers, carriage rollers or both, should be considered to improve longevity of the mast and critical mast components.

Operations that lead to such offset loading configurations often (but not always) involve lift trucks outfitted with hydraulic attachments such as single-doubles, rotators, bale clamps, paper roll clamps, carton clamps, etc. To proactively address potential issues associated with accelerated wear due to offset loading, it is critical for dealers to perform on site inspections prior to placing any new equipment into service. If your operations involve any offset loading, ask your salesman before buying new equipment, or if you have used models, ask your technician if this addition is right for you.

4-Wheel AC Electric Product Launch Webinar

2010-01-28T11:59:00.001-05:00

TOYOTA INTRODUCES THE 8FBCU

Florida Lift Systems and Southern States Toyota Lift will participate in an upcoming webinar. This live Dealer Webinar will take place on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 starting at 10:00 AM (PST) and it will introduce the New 4-Wheel AC Electric 8FBCU from Toyota Material Handling.

Please keep the date and refer back to us for an update about yet another outstanding product from Toyota and when the new 8FBCU will be available from Florida Lift and Southern States Toyota Lift.

TOYOTA SCORES HIGH IN ANNUAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY PROGRAM

2010-01-27T14:55:00.001-05:00

(January 27, 2010) – The Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) annual Voice of the Customer (VOC) survey shows customer satisfaction levels with Toyota sales and delivery, service and parts, and overall product experience through Toyota’s dealer network in the 90th percentile.

For 2009, the sales and delivery survey results reveal a customer satisfaction rate of 93 percent, up from 92 percent the previous year. Both the service and parts and product experience survey results remain unchanged with a high customer satisfaction rate of 93 percent. In addition, 94 percent of respondents indicated they would repurchase a Toyota, up from 92 percent last year.

"Customer satisfaction is extremely important to us," said Terry Rains, vice president of aftermarket sales for TMHU. "These scores are especially meaningful because they demonstrate we have gained and maintained our customers’ approval and loyalty."

Managed by a third-party vendor, the VOC program has tracked survey responses from Toyota lift truck customers since 2003. Over the course of 12 months, customers receive three surveys to assess their satisfaction with their sales and delivery, service and parts, and product experience. As customer survey data is collected, statistical analysis tools are used to better understand and define which performance attributes are most important to Toyota customers. These techniques reveal more about the key drivers of satisfaction and where dealers should spend their energy to improve overall customer satisfaction.

Toyota’s VOC survey program remains one of the most thorough and reliable in the industry. Survey responses are uploaded daily to the VOC Web site, where both Toyota and dealers can access the information to evaluate and proactively respond to customer needs.

2010-01-19T11:30:00.012-05:00

Good Morning All,

Attached is an article about Komatsu's decision to discontinue the Tusk brand. Many of your customers are intrigued about our industry. Share with them our story… In one of our countries worst economic depressions, our Brand was ranked #1 for the seventh straight year and our team was able to gain market share in the down economy.

Think about the changes our industry has seen in the last 12 months:
- Hyster acquired assets of Yale
- Jungheinrich partnering with Caterpillar
- Nissan
- Clark
- Tusk
Many more changes….

Our customers need safety, reliability, and efficiency from a forklift, all needs that Toyota provides. What they don’t need is to have to worry about the reliability of their forklift/service provider. Now more than ever, customers have a greater appreciation and desire to do business with a company that is stable; the industry leader. In today’s economic environment, it’s almost a risk not to do business with Toyota!!!

Thanks,

Travis Cochrane

Toyota Forklift - Safety Focus

2010-01-18T15:57:00.010-05:00

Toyota Forklift - Safety Focus

Focused on Safety

Each year, more than 68,000 lift truck accidents are reported in the United States. Suffice to say, operator training isn't enough to reduce the number of incidents, however, it is the most important component. Naturally the best approach to preventing lift truck accidents is one that combines the efforts of every person, business and organization involved.

As for lift truck manufacturers, Toyota decided to take the lead role. The result was creating the world's first System of Active StabilityTM(SAS).

Using technology originally developed for Toyota's automotive safety systems, SAS is able to electronically monitor and control lift truck operations, helping to reduce the risk of accidents. In short, when the SAS system detects instability, its advanced sensors simultaneously signal and engage the appropriate controller. The Active Control Rear Stabilizer or the Active Mast Function Controller adds stability and helps avoid accidents or injuries.

Click here for demo

Active Control Rear Stabilizer System

Toyota’s SAS uses patented technology to sense various factors that lead to potential lateral instability. When those conditions are detected, the SAS instantly locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle, changing the lift truck’s stability footprint from triangular in shape to rectangular. The resulting increase in stability reduces the likelihood of a lateral overturn.

When it senses instability, SAS instantly engages the Swing Lock Cylinder to stabilize the rear axle, creating the lateral stability needed to help reduce the risk of lateral tipovers.

Active Mast Function Controller System

Similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller system uses the same patented technology to sense various factors that lead to potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability, two systems are activated to help reduce the chances of forward or rearward tipovers: forward tilt angle control and rear tilt speed control.

Forward Tilt Angle Control will sense load weight and mast height, then automatically override the operator’s manual control and limit forward tilt to decrease the chance of spilling a load or tipping the lift truck forward.

Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes the same load and mast height sensors to govern the mast’s reverse tilt speed to half, thereby decreasing the chances of spilling unsecured loads or tipping the lift truck backward.

Visit our website to contact us to learn more about forklifts with SAS or speak directly with a qualified sales representative by calling (800) 226-2345.

2010-01-18T15:36:00.001-05:00

New Aichi from Southern States Toyota Lift and Florida Lift Systems

2010-01-14T16:30:00.008-05:00

This article, as seen at, http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/
newsdisplay.aspx?nwid=7750, highlights Florida Lift System and Southern States Toyota Lift's ability to utilize Toyota Material Handling's vast network to meet the needs of our customers in today's evolving economy.

TMHU adds 11 dealers offering aerial work platforms
Irvine, CA, United States
Wednesday, 21 Oct 2009

Aichi dealer network expands. Toyota Material Handling USA’s (TMHU) Aichi dealer base has expanded from 15 to 26. In addition to work platforms, Aichi offers scissor lifts and crawler- and wheeled-boom lifts for indoor and outdoor applications.

"As the business climate continues to recover in the upcoming months, Toyota is committed to offering the construction market and other industries quality AWP products that meet their customers’ demands", says Brett Wood, president of TMHU.

TMHU entered the AWP market when sales slowed significantly industry-wide. Toyota and Aichi are both accustomed to long-term, incremental growth and plan to continue that strategy to grow US sales in the future. Despite this challenging market, Aichi is meeting its marketshare goals.

These are the new TMHU Aichi dealers:
• Bell Fork Lift, Inc. of Clinton Township, Mich.
• Conger Toyotalift of Green Bay, Wis.
• Florida Lift Systems, Inc. of Orlando, Fla.
• Hupp ToyotaLift of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Lift Truck Supply, Inc. of Tyler, Texas
• Mid Columbia Forklift, Inc. of Yakima, Wash.
• Shoppa’s Mid America, LLC of Kansas City, Mo.
• Southern States Toyotalift of Jacksonville, Fla.
• Toyota-Lift of Minnesota of Brooklyn Park, Minn.
• Vesco Toyotalift of Hickory, N.C.
• Westquip, Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla.