A Toyota 7-Series forklift

Toyota Material Handling Europe has integrated Toyota and BT operations in the UK market with the creation of Toyota Material Handling UK Ltd (TMHUK).

The new entity will offer Toyota and BT products and services through a single marketing and sales company, a Toyota Industrial Equipment UK (TIEUK) statement said.

More than 200 sales and service staff would be recruited in the UK to support growth in the UK materials handling industry.

Mike Mathias, BT Rolatruc managing director, is managing director of TMHUK and Steve Hodkinson, TIEUK managing director, is deputy managing director. A senior management team will be formed from the two existing companies and TMHUK will be operational by the end of 2007.

Both management teams were working together during the transition stage, the statement said.

A TIEUK spokesperson was unavailable to comment this week.

Last year, Toyota Industrial Equipment Finland Oy and BT Varastotekniikka Oy merged to form Toyota Material Handling Finland Oy (Forkliftaction.com News #303).