Toyota Material Handling USA Inc (TMHU) has forged a strategic alliance with Lowry Industrial Lift Trucks Ltd and now offers the Lowry line through Toyota dealers in the USA.

The agreement was disclosed on April 5. No financial details were released.

Lowry, of Georgetown, Canada, manufactures high-quality, internal combustion, cushion-tyre forklifts with capacities ranging from 18,000 pounds (8,100 kilograms) to 40,000 pounds (18,000 kilograms).

Toyota's current IC cushion model line ranges from 3,000 pounds (1,350 kilograms) to 15,500 pounds (6,975 kilograms) capacities.

More end users were requesting Toyota cushion tyre lift trucks with capacities above 15,500 pounds, said Dr Shankar Basu, TMHU president and chief executive officer.

Toyota recognised market interest in larger IC cushion forklifts for applications involving paper, aluminium and steel coil, rigging, die handling and machinery moving and sought to align itself with a reputable forklift manufacturer.

Over almost a year, Toyota studied the large-capacity cushion market and manufacturers distributing those products in the USA.

"It quickly became evident that one manufacturer in particular, Lowry, stood apart from the rest in quality, durability, reliability and support," said Martin Boyd, product planning manager for TMHU.

"This strategic alliance with TMHU and its highly-respected network of dealers has given our organisation the ultimate avenue for distributing high-quality Lowry lift trucks to end users," said Bill Lowry, Lowry's founder and president.