Toyota Material Handling helps Border Express keep running smoothly.
Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has helped an Australian-owned transport company avoid logistical difficulties, providing support and equipment when it was most needed.
After putting out a new business tender, Border Express settled on TMHA thanks to the performance of its Toyota forklifts and its broad network of aftersales support.
Border Express National Procurement Manager Alec Trikash said there were multiple factors that saw TMHA come out on top ahead of six other offerings.
"TMHA was selected as the successful tenderer based on a number of factors including reputation, the value proposition that was offered, the network that TMHA has where it's primarily TMHA staff instead of agents - particularly in regional areas. Those were the three primary factors - and the quality of the equipment," Mr Trikash said.
Having such a diverse geographical reach via their direct branch network, the extensive scope of TMHA's network and the expertise of its service technicians was an important factor in Border Express' decision to partner with Toyota.
"The feedback has been that the service technicians are very responsible and knowledgeable," Mr Trikash said. "So positive feedback all round regarding TMHA from both the operators and operation management sides."
With 18 branches across the country, Border Express requires a large fleet of machines, with approximately 215 total units needed consisting of gas forklifts, electric pallet jacks and reach trucks.
Due to the current global supply chain issues, replacing Border Express' 215-strong fleet was always going to be a tough ask, however TMHA "bent over backwards" to make the change work.
"Despite the global supply chain issues initially delaying delivery, TMHA senior management stepped in to support Border Express and since then they've been fantastic in supporting us," Mr Trikash said.
"Pulling out all the stops in terms of new equipment, sourcing short-term hire equipment and even additional equipment through a sub hire arrangement."
Since switching fleets to TMHA, Broder Express' forklift operators have praised their new Toyota forklifts, with Toyota's System of Active Stability (SAS) being a particular standout.
"It's been noted - the equipment has received positive feedback from the operators," Mr Trikash said. "There were some adjustments that needed to be made to the equipment and Toyota were very quick and responsive in delivering that, so very happy."
Developing strong relationships is a key facet of the way Border Express does its business, and TMHA General Manager- Corporate Accounts Steve Hopkins said the two companies came together in trying times to achieve the best outcome.
"Border Express is driven by having genuine relationships, it's not just something they pay lip service to," Mr Hopkins said.
"Making an assessment of the marketplace, they viewed TMHA as the most suitable to partner with based on our fundamental values.
"Given that supply chains have been challenged across the world, we've worked in unison with Border Express to ensure that any operational distress this could have caused them has been eliminated."
Toyota's I_Site Fleet Management System has also unlocked further efficiencies for Border Express, allowing the company to analyse the way forklift operators work and where improvements can be made.
"The forklifts are fabulous, the fleet management system is excellent and we've been getting some great data captured that we can sync back through to our operators to train and help change some of the behaviours, so in that regard the fleet management system has been second to none," Mr Trikash said.
Since moving to THMA, Mr Trikash has found the products, service and value has improved for Border Express, and would happily recommend Toyota to others in the industry.
"Certainly in terms of the level of service, especially the service technicians, they're very good.
"Also the account managers in each state have really been working well with our operations.
"They've been really proactive and have gone above and beyond in terms of the training, inductions, the equipment, and helping us out with things like the pre-delivery reports. We're very delighted in terms of the overall value proposition."
Border Express was founded over 40 years ago by the Luff family, and is 100 per cent family owned with the third generation of the family now in the business.
It offers parcel and bulk freight services to B2B and B2C customers across the country with a particularly strong regional presence and employs over 1500 staff throughout Australia.
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Toyota Material Handling Australia Vice President & COO Cameron Paxton, Border Express CEO David Charlesworth and Toyota Material Handling Australia General Manager - Corporate Accounts Steve Hopkins