Mailer Header 2-2012
Issue: #61
January - 2015
Building Cust Newsleter
Sales Department
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Almost ready for takeoff?
Lift truck fleet managers are perpetually on a quest to find more efficient, less costly, and lower-maintenance equipment. That applies not just to the forklifts themselves, but also to the power sources that keep them moving. The result has been significant improvements in existing power technologies, as well as the development of new ones.

One of the newer options is the hydrogen fuel cell, which produces electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. While it's unlikely they will ever fully replace tried-and-true technologies like lead-acid batteries, hydrogen fuel cells do show promise. Proponents tout their labor savings, environmental benefits, and ease of refueling, among other advantages.

From industry analysts DC Velocity

safety stripe
safety triangle
"One of your mechanics told our supervisor my truck should be taken out of service because it was hot, why is that so important?"

OSHA's rule on an overheating unit is pretty straight forward, although how it's interpreted isn't quite that defined. In regulation [29 CFR 1910.178(q)(9)] OSHA states "When the temperature of any part of any truck is found to be in excess of its normal operating temperature, thus creating a hazardous condition, the vehicle shall be removed from service and not returned to service until the cause for such overheating has been eliminated."

So, it not only makes sense to be safe, it also makes sense to figure out what's wrong before your truck is damaged. 
 
Registration Ends Soon: Manage Your Risk and Control Your Costs

Train Your Trainer: Forklift Safety - Next Class January 27th
How much would it cost in emotional and financial terms if your company experienced a serious forklift accident? How much is it costing you today with the small accidents that happen every day? Should there be a reportable accident, how comfortable are you that in a courtroom your forklift safety program won't wither under scrutiny?

One way is limiting the risk to your employees, product and equipment by having well trained and certified forklift operators. With new personnel coming in, and others changing positions, how can you manage your risk and control your expenses effectively?

One answer is by having your own forklift trainer on staff. An individual familiar with your equipment, your physical layout and your company's plan and vision.

Toyota Lift of Minnesota is holding another "Train the Trainer" course January 27th. We invite you to look at the details and decide if it is time for you to control your risks and costs. Train the Trainer can be an easy choice.

Click To See Course Details

Early bird registration specials available.
Parts Department
Why Romeo Got it Wrong
Romeo said "What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Of course it isn't always that simple. In life and certainly in the parts department, a great deal can be defined by a part's name or its "part number". Switching from Shakespeare to Ask.com, they define a part number this way:

 

A part number (often abbreviated PN, part no., or part #) is an identifier of a particular part design used in a particular industry. Its purpose is to simplify referencing to that part. A part number unambiguously identifies a part design within a single corporation, and sometimes across several corporations. For example, when specifying a screw, it is easier to refer to "HSC0424PP" than saying "Hardware, screw, machine, 4-40, 3/4 inch long, panhead, Phillips". In this example, "HSC0424PP" is the part number, and it may be prefixed in database fields as "PN HSC0424PP" or "P/N HSC0424PP"  

 

safety stripe 
safety triangle
"We'd like to take care of our truck as much as possible, can you give us information on how and when to maintain it?"  
 
The manufacturer already has. Each truck is shipped and delivered with an operator's manual somewhere on the forklift. Generally you'll find this behind the seat in a compartment. In that manual you'll find a wealth of information on not only maintenance, but also safety and daily operational information. If the manual is missing it needs to be replaced, as OSHA regulations state it has to be available for the operator.  
Service Department 
It's a Service Business, What Were You Thinking?
In material handling, business is back returning to levels not seen since before the great recession. New equipment sales, rentals, parts and service are all seeing sales levels increasing dramatically. You might say that everything is coming up roses if there were not shadows in all the sunshine. What you say? How can you pull negativity from all of this optimism?

The increase in business is catching forklift service agencies flatfooted. During the recession large numbers of material handling employees were let go. After the recession was upon on us, we heard numbers thrown around that almost a quarter of the pre-recession technicians were lost due to the down turn. Getting them back is the challenge today, getting them back as quickly as they were lost is a cause for concern.

 

Forklift Photo Moment
Forklift Operator Evolution

This might set the industry's image back a few years



See more material handling photos and videos [many of them fun] at our Pinterest site. Follow this link.
Rental Department
Warm up Your Calculator
While we make it a point to avoid publishing "ads" in our newsletter, we thought this opportunity warranted some exposure.

This is a "while supplies last" opportunity, so if it looks like it would benefit your operation call soon.  

 

We have Toyota's 7HBW electric pallet jacks for only $299 a month, no minimum term. New or very low hours. Rent for 12 months and it is yours to keep! Plus tax FOB: Brooklyn Park, MN

  • American Made
  • 4,500 lbs. Capacity
  • Built-in Battery & Charger Pack
  • 27"x48" forks  

Please call 612-568-0223 or 800-523-0611 and ask about our pallet jack special. You can also fill out an online inquiry form at our website www.ToyotaEquipment.com 

Warehousing Systems
5 Fundamental Practices to Make The Implementation of Warehouse Technology Pay off Big
Warehouse operations and their efficiency are a key to any company that deals with freight, shipping and inventories. When efficiency lags behind however, orders are lost and things get out of control. This chaotic environment (usually due to those companies who are still using manual process in the warehouse) will directly affect the profits and reputation to customers of your company. The following aims to give you a better understanding on how you can optimize your warehouse operations to avoid delays and screw ups, making things seamless and fluid through the use of warehouse technology. However, read to the end, as technology is not the end all be all....we must still follow some warehouse efficiency basics along side warehouse technology to ultimately gain efficiency.

Care to speculate what those points are?

 

From Logistics and Warehousing Experts: Cerasis    

 

About Us

Toyota Lift of Minnesota has been serving its customers and the industry for over 36 years. Our mission is to improve your productivity and bottom line through better products, services and customer service personnel.

Toyota-Lift of Minnesota
8601 Xylon Court North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55445
Phone 763-425-9066 Toll Free 800-523-0611

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Save 10%
Do you have an existing service, parts or rental quote from TLM?. Call us with the code 021715JOS and we'll take ten percent off the amount you were originally quoted [limited to parts, labor or rental fees and cannot be used in conjunction with other specials or discounts nor applied to any services sublet].

Take advantage of this now, we genuinely appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future.

Coupon can be used on only one quote thank you, and cannot be used along with any other offer extended or work/sale previously billed.  
Offer Expires: February 16th 2015
In This Issue
Sales - Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Parts - Why Romeo Got it Wrong
Service - It's a Service Business, What Were You Thinking?
Forklift Photo Moment
Rental - Warm up Your Calculator
Warehouse - 5 Fundamental Practices
Free OSHA Poster
Video - More on Chocking
Factory Links
Quick Links
 
GSA Sales
Providing Product and Service Leadership
Offering most favored customer pricing and volume discounts, the Toyota Lift Truck brings you savings in both time and money.  Through Toyota Lift's GSA Schedule, you can purchase Toyota forklifts, the number one rated forklift in the world for quality and customer satisfaction. Also, we offer Crown industrial batteries.
  • Pre-qualification of pricing and quality has already been done by GSA for all government purchasers
  • Through Toyota Lift of Minnesota's GSA Schedule, customers benefit from a direct relationship with volume discount pricing, 100% quality products, warranty and delivery, with significant opportunities to help meet your small business goals
  • Orders placed against Toyota Lift Truck's GSA Schedule meet FAR regulations and are considered to be issued using full and open competition.

Contact Toyota Lift of Minnesota for your GSA Schedule needs. 

safety poster  
Free OSHA Forklift Rules Poster

Would look great in your lunchroom! 
Call us or email us at
[email protected]
We'll mail one off to you immediately! 
 
Catelog Splash
On Line Catalog:

Great Source For Warehouse Supplies 
Toyota Lift of Minnesota offers you an easy way to shop for all your associated needs. Follow the link below and see for yourself. From lockers to storage bins, we have it all. 

 

Catalog
Chock those Wheels
Chock Those Wheels
Make sure those trailer/truck wheels are
chocked, and DO NOT jump from the forklift
in a situation like this. You do wear a seat belt don't you?

Lift Truck Stuff Catalog

Great Source For All Things Forklift 
A catalog that brings it all together for you. Our "Everything Around the Lift Truck" catalog. Click the "Catalog" link at the bottom to review or download our catalog or through this link place your on-line order. It's that easy. 

 

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Toyota Lift of Minnesota's Blog
Updated almost daily with material handling, warehouse and safety tips. We're working to put good information in small bites out to our readers.
 
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Factory
OEM Links