PDF[1229KB/26 pages] - Toyota Industries Corporation

Materials Handling EquipmentMarket Overview for Materials Handling EquipmentMarket for Materials Handling EquipmentContinues to ExpandHaving experienced continuous growth since calendar year 2002in tandem with a general economic recovery, the global market formaterials handling equipment grew by around 12% in calendar year2006. Despite concerns about soaring prices for crude oil and steelmaterials, the outlook from calendar year 2007 onward is also forrelatively high growth in emerging markets, particularly in the BRICs(Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries. Modest expansion in suchkey markets as Europe, North America and Japan is also expected.Rising Safety and EnvironmentalConsciousnessCustomer needs within these markets refl ect a growing globalawareness of safety and the environment, as evidenced by steadilyrising demand for materials handling equipment that not onlyminimizes such dangers as rollover accidents but also stressesergonomics, low noise and low vibration, as well as reduced exhaustemissions.As a noteworthy response to customer needs, our newgeneration of engine-powered lift trucks represents a signifi cantadvance over previous models and incorporates original systems thatcontribute to marked improvements in terms of reduced noise andvibration along with both operator safety and comfort and operatingeffi ciency. Production of the newly improved model got underway inJapan in September 2006 and in the United States in January 2007,and will begin in Europe in September 2007. The new generationof lift trucks is sold as the GENEO in Japan, the 8-Series in NorthAmerica and International, and the Toyota Tonero in Europe.By improving our previous engines, as a leading manufacturerwe are able to offer a new series of lift trucks that not only meetsstrict exhaust emissions regulations in Japan one year in advanceof required implementation but also incorporates leading-edgetechnologies that satisfy stringent 2010 emissions regulations inthe United States three years ahead of schedule and meets newEuropean emissions standards that will take effect in 2008.In addition, a new hand pallet truck based on a new-typepump and manufactured on an entirely new production line wasintroduced in Europe. This truck delivers improved performance andis manufactured in an environment-friendly manner that reduces theimpact on the environment in terms of chemical usage, lower energyconsumption and highly effi cient production processes.Integration of TMHGSince becoming partners in 2000, TMHC and the BT IndustriesGroup have continued to examine each other’s strengths in thepursuit of synergies that include mutually supplying respective brandproducts, sharing sales and production know-how, exchangingresources and jointly procuring products. Determining that the timewas ripe for maximizing synergies via the full-scale integration ofoperations, TMHG became operational from April 2006 as a newframework integrating TMHC and the BT Industries Group.In managing and carrying out its operations, TMHG has dividedits global markets into four regions—Europe, North America,International and Japan—and established a Board as the decisionmakingbody within each of these four regional organizations. AManagement Committee composed of TMHG top management andrepresentatives of each regional organization oversees the formulationof strategies and manages TMHG as a whole.TMHG has also set up Sub-Committees comprising functionalOrganizational Chart of Toyota Material Handling GroupTMHGManagement CommitteeGlobal Strategy, Optimum Resource Allocation, Global Management ControlTMHJ TMHE TMHNATMHI TMHJToyota Material HandlingEuropeToyota Material HandlingNorth AmericaToyota Material HandlingInternationalToyota Material HandlingJapanSub-CommitteesQuality, R&D, Product Planning, Information System/Information Technology, Plant Operation,Human Resources and FinanceToyota Industries Corporation Annual Report 200717