Matthias Fischer, president of Toyota Material Handling Europe and Jean-Pierre Sancier, CEO of STEF

European specialist for cold logistics STEF has signed a four-year European contract with Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE), which will manage 100% of the STEF truck fleet. Under the deal, TMHE will be the preferred supplier of the STEF Group for materials handling equipment and associated services.

In 2015, STEF initiated a major program to redesign its business model for the management of its materials handling equipment in Europe. A tender was launched with key market leaders to choose a partner to accompany the group during this transition.

In December, TMHE won the tender with an efficient and innovative service offering to improve working conditions, equipment productivity and maintenance.

Jean-Pierre Sancier, CEO of STEF, says: "Better materials handling management is key to improving our global performance. STEF has decided to work with Toyota Material Handling, the world leader in materials handling equipment, for their vision, commitment and efficient and innovative solutions (service and maintenance) which meet our needs. We have worked with this market player for several years. We are very pleased with this agreement and the quality of work provided by the Toyota Material Handling Europe and STEF teams to complete this project."

Matthias Fischer, president of Toyota Material Handling Europe, notes that STEF is a leading company in cold store logistics, which requires a high level of service for its materials handling equipment. "We have been working very closely with STEF for the last few years and we are delighted to be selected as a sole partner for the coming four years. We are committed to continuing and exceeding their expectations by offering high-quality, highly productive and innovative solutions."

STEF combines transport, logistics and IT skills for the raw and processed food products sector. STEF has a multi-service offer of logistics solutions for manufacturers, retailers and restaurants. It has 16 000 employees in seven European countries: Belgium, France, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.