Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) has integrated its forklift production lines to cut costs and production lead times.

According to Asia Pulse, TICO began reorganising its Takahama plant, where it makes four of its models, in 2001. In January, it added a line that could produce engine-powered and battery-powered forklifts, reducing lead time and internal production costs by 30%.

In August, the company completed integration of the lines for production of two different types of battery-powered models. That move has further reduced product lead time by 20% and manufacturing costs by 15%.

TICO aimed to increase its world market share from 14% last year to 15%. The company commands 41% of the Japanese forklift market.