Hans Gehlen

Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE) has announced a major investment in the Russian market with the formation of OOO Toyota Material Handling RUS.

The new operation is being established to further strengthen existing operations in Russia, via two exclusive dealers -Toyota Tsusho Tekhnika and Sumitec International. The new company, which starts its operation with 15 people in April 2014, will provide technical back-up, training and marketing support, as well as product and parts supply via the two dealers.

Hans van Leeuwen, executive vice president, marketing and sales, Toyota Material Handling Europe, says the investment recognises the importance of the Russian market. "We have a strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service for our customers in all markets, and we believe that this investment will enable us to continue to fulfill this ambition in Russia."

The new company is headed by general director Hans Gehlen, who has broad experience in different parts of the TMHE organisation.

The new company will streamline the supply of trucks and parts to the dealers and will take care of education and service development which, in turn, will allow the dealers to work even closer with customers and increase sales volumes.

The establishment of OOO Toyota Material Handling RUS is designed to increase sales within Russia's forklift market, which shows promise of future growth. Approximately 300,000 lift trucks are sold in the European market each year. Roughly 25,000 of those lift trucks are destined for Russia, making it the fourth-largest market in Europe.

This market is expected to continue to grow and become one of Europe's main markets.

OOO Toyota Material Handling RUS will offer a range Toyota and BT brand products.

Just last week, manufacturer JCB opened a depot in Ekaterinburg, Russia in a GBP6 million (USD9.6 million) investment to boost growth in one of the company's most important markets. (Forkliftaction.com News #635)