Toyota Material Handling plans Columbus electric-forklift factory

Electric manufacturing expansion in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Indiana — Toyota Material Handling plans to invest nearly $100 million in a 295,000-square-foot factory dedicated to electric products at its headquarters campus. Groundbreaking took place on 29 May 2024. The company plans to add 85 jobs by the scheduled start of production in June 2026. New manufacturing processes are intended to accelerate production of electric equipment.

Toyota began building forklifts in Columbus in 1990. Including the new project, its Columbus investment exceeds $400 million across more than 15 expansions. The completed factory would bring the campus footprint to nearly 1.8 million square feet. Project information: https://www.toyotaforklift.com/news/toyota-material-handling-expands-indiana-footprint-with-nearly-100-million-dollar-expansion-project.

Electric pneumatic equipment for outdoor applications

Toyota Material Handling launched its 48V and 80V electric pneumatic forklift range on 28 September 2023. The range offers six lift capacities from 3,000 to 7,000 pounds. The equipment was designed for outdoor terrain and varied weather conditions, with applications including lumberyards, home centers, landscaping and store support. These products form part of the company’s existing electric range alongside the manufacturing expansion plan.

Standard equipment includes AC drive and lift motors and load-sensing power steering. Regenerative braking returns energy to the battery as the truck slows. An optional Slope Assist function maintains truck speed on a slope by changing the power mode. The models also feature Toyota’s System of Active Stability and Operator Presence Sensing System, with an optional Seatbelt Interlock. Product information: https://www.toyotaforklift.com/news/toyota-material-handling-launches-new-electric-pneumatic-forklifts.

Toyota Material Handling

Warehouse and towing product range

Three electric models introduced on 9 May 2023 broadened Toyota Material Handling’s warehouse-equipment range:

The Side-Entry End Rider, available in 6,000- and 8,000-pound models for cross-warehouse transportation and order picking.
The Center Rider Stacker, with lift capacity up to 2,500 pounds and lift height up to 72 inches.
The Industrial Tow Tractor, rated to tow 15,000 pounds on flat surfaces.

The Side-Entry End Rider provides a forward-facing operator position, access from either side, an automatic parking brake and standard power steering. The Center Rider Stacker combines center-rider, order-picker and counterbalanced-forklift functions, with uses including staging and cross-dock work. The Industrial Tow Tractor has an AC drive motor and electric power steering. The tractor and stacker are compatible with Toyota lithium-ion batteries. Options across the three-model range include cold-storage conditioning and PIN-code access, allowing orders to be configured for different operating requirements.