Toyota has confirmed its position as world number one forklift truck supplier, according to revenue results published in American industry magazine Modern Materials Handling.

The company had worldwide revenue of $US3.1 billion in calendar year 2002, and edged out its nearest competitor to claim the title of the largest forklift supplier in the world.

German-headquartered Linde was number two on the Modern Materials Handling top 20, with revenue of $US3.0 billion in 2002.

The magazine noted that Toyota and Linde returned to the $US3 billion club in 2002 after dipping below that benchmark in 2001.

The next three companies on the MMH list were NACCO Industries of the USA (manufacturer of Hyster and Yale) on $US1.6 million, Jungheinrich of Germany on $US1.5 billion and Crown of the USA on $US984 million.

The top five companies all posted increased revenue in 2002 compared with calendar year 2001.
Komatsu of Japan was number six on the list, with revenue in 2002 of $US769 million, ahead of Mitsubishi/Caterpillar of Japan ($US$704 million) and equal eighth-placed Manitou of France and Nissan of Japan ($US700 million).

Modern Materials Handling's criteria for its Top 20 list is that a company must manufacture and sell lift trucks in at least one of the International Truck Association's (ITA) seven classes of lift trucks - from electric rider trucks to rough-terrain trucks.

Toyota has in recent years grouped its forklift business as Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) of Japan, comprising its Toyota forklifts product, and also including its purchases of both Raymond of the USA and BT Industries of Sweden.

TICO is a Japanese-based multi-national manufacturer and distributor of material handing equipment, and is an associated company of Toyota Motor Corporation. It has a stable of brands produced in its manufacturing plants in Japan, Europe and the USA.

As part of the arrangement, a new company called Toyota Industries Corporation Australia Pty Ltd (TICA), has been established to distribute and sell equipment manufactured by TICO and TICO's subsidiary companies.

This acquisition is part of TICO's global strategy of consolidating industrial equipment distribution and moving to have closer contact with its customers.

For more information, see www.toyotaindustrial.com.au or call 1800 425 438.