Toyota Industrial Equipment (TIE) has launched two new central European distributors, Toyota Material Handling Czech and Toyota Material Handling Hungary.

The two businesses have been long-time TIE distributors in those countries, and have now been awarded the Toyota brand name.

In 2003, TIE sold 18,000 materials handling machines across Europe which is a 20 per cent increase on 2002.

TIE Europe president Shinya Furukawa said the company now had distributors in 23 countries across Europe.

"By awarding our Czech and Hungarian distributors the Toyota brand name, we are strengthening our presence, and demonstrating our real commitment to the European market," he said.