Toyota Industrial Equipment's position as the world's number one materials handling supplier has been strengthened with the news that it now holds a global market share of more than 20%.

Toyota's number one position has been confirmed by German trade magazine Fordermittel Journal, which placed Toyota, with annual revenues of USD4.2 billion, ahead of the competition, based on turnover and sales, for the third consecutive year.

Toyota's UK managing director Steve Hodkinson said Toyota had increased sales and turnover while the competition had struggled through a difficult 2003.