Nichiyu Forklift (Thailand) Co Ltd will manufacture battery-powered forklifts and parts.

Nichiyu has established a manufacturing subsidiary in Thailand as part of its medium- and long-term goals to sell more forklifts outside Japan. It also wants to meet rapidly growing demand in Asia, a market in which it specialises.

The number of new employees for Nichiyu Forklift (Thailand) Co Ltd, which was established on 15 August, has not been decided. The chairman of the new company is Seiho Onoe, while Masahiro Ono is the managing director. The office is located in the town of Sriracha in Chonburi province.

Nichiyu plans to build the new plant on an acquired 42,000 sqm (452,084 sqft.) site in the Amata City Industrial Estate in Rayong province, 114 km south-east of Bangkok. Construction will start in the northern spring of 2012 and is scheduled for completion in December 2012. Full-scale operations are planned to start in April 2013.

The industrial estate is accessible via Thailand's international airport and Laem Chabang Deep Sea Port, Thailand's largest port, is also close by. The site is ideally located for the export and import of forklifts and parts.

About 90% of the forklifts produced in Thailand will be exported to neighbouring countries. In the first year, approximately 2,500 units are planned for production. Nichiyu will meet forklift demand in China, Asia, Oceania, Russia and the Middle East with its two Asian plants.

Nichiyu has a Chinese plant - Shanghai Nichiyu Forklift Manufacturing Co Ltd. Thailand was chosen for a second manufacturing base because Nichiyu says it has the highest demand for forklifts in Asia, after China.

Nichiyu Forklift (Thailand) Co Ltd was established with a capital of JPY400 million (USD5.2 million). Further investment sums will be determined later. The subsidiary is not 100% owned by Nichiyu and individual founders hold stock in accordance with Thai regulations.

The Thai subsidiary will manufacture and sell battery-powered forklifts and parts, maintain forklifts and import and export forklifts and related parts.