Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has celebrated the launch of its new flagship branch in Melbourne with a special opening ceremony attended by dignitaries and key stakeholders.
The new state-of-the-art facility in Dandenong South began construction in June 2022, and is based on a 32,600m2 parcel of land based just five minutes down the road from the facility it replaces.
The building itself takes up half of the available land, and at 16,350m2 is 34 per cent larger than the previous site.
A comprehensive opening ceremony was held on June 15, hosted by AFL legend Simon Madden with 340 people in attendance.
Multiple guests of honour were invited to attend, including Toyota Industries Corporation Executive Officer Yoichiro Yamazaki and Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne Junji Shimada.
TMHA President and CEO Steve Takacs was joined by Toyota Material Handling International Vice-President Sam Coles, with other guests of honour including business magnate Lindsay Fox and the member for Dandenong, the honourable Gabrielle Williams MP.
Mr Takacs said the new branch will allow for a greater level of usability and innovation for the brand.
"With features like a dedicated dirt demonstration area, paint booths and support for parts and service, our new state-of-the-art facility will offer more for our valued Victorian customers," Mr Takacs said.
“Our new site supports capability for sales and rentals, accounts operations, storage of inventory and parts, servicing and training, providing customers with a holistic TMHA experience.”
The event was held in the new branch’s workshop facility, commemorated by traditional Japanese customs including daruma doll eye painting, tree planting and a sake barrel breaking ceremony.
As proud partners of the Essendon Football Club, TMHA was lucky to have star Bombers from both the AFL and AFLW sides on hand including Jye Caldwell, Jordan Ridley, Maddy Prespakis and Georgia Gee, with all guests taking home a signed football and commemorative Japanese sake.
Mr Fox was given the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the new site.
Guests were treated to musical performances from DJs and electric string trio Vixen Strings in between a catered lunch for all attendees.
Guided tours of the new facility were conducted for attendees, which will not only facilitate sales and rental of equipment but will also serve as a regional base for major and corporate Victorian accounts operations.
The new warehouse and workshop area is 28 per cent larger than the facility it replaces, while a new 300m2 ‘dirt’ demonstration area allows for prospective customers to test out the HUSKI Construction Equipment range of earthmoving products.
State-of-the-art sealed and pressurised paint and preparation booths allow forklifts and other construction equipment to be custom painted to customers’ exact specifications.
The site will hold inventories of new material handling and Huski Construction Equipment, and offers full support coverage for parts, workshop and field service, and training facilities.
