A photovoltaic unit measuring almost 10,000 sam on the roof and recharge stations for electric vehicles are key components of the energy and environmental concept for the new office.

Toyota Material Handling Deutschland (TMHDE) has officially opened its new head office at a 36,000 sqm (387,500 sqft.) close to Hannover, Isernhagen.

Among those present at the opening were Lower Saxony's minister of economy Olaf Lies, the chairman of the Japanese parent company Toyota Industries Corporation, Tetsuro Toyoda; as well as Kazue Sasaki, president of the Toyota Material Handling Group.

The new site was ready for operation from mid-March, one year after construction started. TMHDE currently employs about 220 people, including office, warehouse and workshop staff.

"Europe is an important growth market and Germany is the Europe's largest market for industrial trucks, so it is natural for us to put focus here," says Matthias Fischer, president and CEO of Toyota Material Handling Europe. "Through the construction of this new head office, and the streamlining of key aspects of our business, we are perfectly positioned to be number one in customer satisfaction"..

Norman Memminger, managing director of Toyota Material Handling Deutschland GmbH, says that Toyota has not only invested in a new German head office, but also in the quality of its German sales and customer organisation. "As a result, we can gain more efficient processes in logistics and communication through better working conditions for our employees and with increased capacity levels for future growth."

Toyota has also invested in sustainability for the new German head office. Employees enjoy a brightly lit workplace with a good supply of natural fresh air and greenery in all internal courtyards.

The company says it has also achieved substantial improvements in logistical operations by reducing transport miles between different locations, thereby reducing carbon emissions.