A thriving West Australian freight company has re-equipped its Perth depot with seven Toyota forklift trucks.
Esperance Freight Lines, part of the Freight Lines Group, commissioned six internal-combustion 2.5-tonne payload Toyota 8FG25 forklifts and a battery-electric 8FBN25 forklift at its Welshpool (Perth) depot.
The new Toyota forklifts replace a fleet from another manufacturer.
The latest order means Esperance Freight Lines has bought 22 Toyota forklifts in the last three years for its depots in Esperance, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie.
Previous orders included 2.5 and 3.0-tonne payload internal combustion machines, and an 8FBN25 battery-electric forklift.
Managing director Michael Harding said his father, John Harding, founded the company 25 years ago and its first Toyota forklift purchase would date from that time.
"The Toyotas are good and reliable forklifts," he said. "I'm a hands-on person and the most important purchase factors for me are that the forklifts are economical and that the operators like using them.
"That is a good measure of their operability and means fewer hassles in day-to-day usage."
Michael Harding said Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) supports the forklifts in the various company depots through its branch and agent network.
"They have service agents around the state that look after our forklifts at Esperance, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton.
"TMHA at Kewdale (Perth) will service the forklifts at Welshpool and I'm sure that the service will be good."
Michael Harding said his father founded the business in 1991. "He sold the company to my brother-in-law and then I bought it back," he said.
TMHA WA major accounts manager Russell Dickson said the latest order with Esperance Freight was won in a highly competitive tender process.
"Machine reliability, high levels of operator comfort and lower costs to maintain the fleet were key factors in Toyota winning the order for the latest seven machines," he said.
"Toyota's strong record of service back-up was also important in securing the order."
Russell Dickson said Esperance Freight Lines' first Toyota purchases would have been through previous dealer LiftRite Toyota, before the factory-owned company Toyota Material Handling Australia was formed in 2005 to sell and support Toyota, BT Lift Truck and Raymond material handling products nationally.
"Our service department strives to provide excellent levels of product support for all our customers," he said.
Toyota's 2.5-tonne payload 8FG25 is one of the top selling counter-balance forklifts in Australia and widely used in the transport industry.
"The popularity of the Toyota FG forklift range is based on proven reliability that just keeps on going in all environments, giving our customers excellent performance, service and good value for money from a proven brand they can trust," Russell Dickson said.
The award-winning 8-Series Toyota forklifts have a number of leading safety features, including Toyota's System of Active Stability (SAS) technology that helps prevent tip-overs.
Other safety features include an Operator Presence Sensing system that stops the forklift from moving unless the operator is correctly seated at the controls, while the Active Mast Function Controller can sense instability, thereby limiting the mast angle and speed according to the height and weight of the load.
The 8-Series also offers a large, easily accessible workspace with a wide foot area, a tight turning circle for improved manoeuvrability, ergonomically designed controls, excellent forward visibility and a comfortable and fully adjustable operator restraint suspension seat with added lumbar support.
The fuel-efficient Toyota engines are tuned to minimise noise levels in enclosed environments.
They have Toyota hydraulic valve lifters to help lower engine noise and reduce maintenance requirements.
For more information freecall 1800 425 438 or visit www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au
Esperance Freight Lines has commissioned seven Toyota forklifts at its Welshpool (Perth) depot.