Mailer Header 2-2012
Issue: #72
December - 2015
Building Cust Newsleter
Sales Department
The History of Factory Stores in the Forklift Industry
This is a popular article we ran across recently, asking do you know who you are really partnering with in material handling? The authors ask for any information you might have that can add to their list.

The majority of forklift dealers in the United States are independently owned companies, typically started by an entrepreneur.  Some of these dealerships were started years ago and are now managed by second and sometimes third generation family members.  However, there are some forklift manufacturers that have elected, in some markets, to market their product through directly owned subsidiaries, also known as the "factory store".

Here's an overview of various forklift manufacturers who own retail operations in North America.

 
safety stripe
safety triangle
"Why would you give us trouble over our pedal pads?"

We view the rubber on your brake and inching pedals as a safety item. Especially during the winter months when water and snow make shoes and boots slippery, rubber pedal pads need to be in place. When we find these pads missing, we will certainly bring it to your attention. 
Parts Department
Secrets Your Parents Never Told You about Forklift Tire Failure
Around forklift trucks, the forklift tire should be a lot like Grandpa wanted of kids, better seen than heard. Simply round and black until something goes wrong, forklift tires carry our loads, protect the forklift operators and the products transported. They are of course the only suspension a lift truck has, and also are critical to the stability of the machine.

Forklift Photo Moment
The Quest for Common Sense

Try not to be "that guy"

See more material handling photos and videos [many of them fun] at our Pinterest site. Follow this link.
Service Department 
5 Step Outline of a Forklift Planned Maintenance Service Call
Too often some technicians see the planned maintenance effort or PM as something that has to be avoided or rushed through in order to get onto more exciting. More, there are many maintenance providers that see the PM call as a loss leader that's priced low in order to attract customers. Often technicians are told to drop the oil, lubricate the high points and get onto more profitable work. We know this because we've hired our share of technicians that had to be retrained away from that line of thought.

Planned maintenance isn't free, it isn't as glamorous as other work and like any maintenance, it is still disruptive to the forklift owner's schedule. Good or thorough planned maintenance is critical however, to avoid unexpected and disruptive forklift down time. No one wants to see a unit go out of service unexpectedly during the work day. Never mind the headaches involved in resolving the problem, can you calculate what the lost productivity costs?

Rental Department 
Why You Can't "Drive it Like a Rental"
The forklift rental business is robust and growing. Companies with lean fleets find themselves temporarily in need of additional equipment to deal with a variety of reasons, seasonal or unexpected demand, rare use or emergency replacement while another unit is repaired to name just a few.

It has to be stressed that a rental forklift, once on site, imparts the same responsibilities on the renter that forklift ownership carries. Like forklift ownership, trained drivers and adequate supervision help insure safe use and practices.

safety stripe 
safety triangle
"What regulation states that we need to have a battery restraint bar for our electric forklift?"  
 
No one wants to tip their forklift, and certainly no one wants to top a forklift where the forklift battery can slide out adding additional risk during the accident. If you need a regulation to augment your common sense, you can find it in OSHA powered industrial truck regulation  1910.178(g)(5), click through for a letter of interpretation.  
Warehousing Systems
Warehouse Lighting Requirements in Forklift Traffic Areas
Warehouses can be especially tricky to keep well-lit, especially in aisles, where tall, packed shelving units may block overhead lights. Regardless of the difficulty, employers must make sure forklift operators can see what they're driving into - visibility is a crucial prerequisite for the safe use of lift trucks.

But how dim is "too dim?" Given the variance in eyesight between individuals, an aisle that seems perfectly visible to one forklift operator may be dangerously murky to the next. Here are the main factors to consider when examining lighting in forklift traffic areas:

About Us

Toyota Lift of Minnesota has been serving its customers and the industry for over 37 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

1526 Voll Drive Northwest
Byron, Minnesota 55920
Phone 507-444-0063 Toll Free 877-315-9207

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Save 10%
Do you have an existing service, parts or rental quote from TLM?. Call us with the code 011916JOS 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: January 18th 2016
In This Issue
Sales - The History of Factory Stores in the Forklift Industry
Parts - Secrets Your Parents Never Told You about Forklift Tire Failure
Forklift Photo Moment
Service - 5 Step Outline of a Forklift Planned Maintenance Service Call
Rental Department - Why You Can't "Drive it Like a Rental"
Warehouse - Warehouse Lighting Requirements in Forklift Traffic Areas
Energy Saving Dock Blanket
Free OSHA Poster
Online Warehouse Catalog
Video - See Our Byron/Rochester location go up!
Lift Truck Stuff Catalog
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. 

Easy to Install Energy Saving Dock Blankets! 
 
 
Winter and Heat Loss, They're Both Coming!

Fight Against Both With The Dock Blanket

* Substantially Reduces Energy Costs
* Improve Employee Comfort and Productivity
* Quick and Easy Installation

Call Bill Bezenar to order this simple energy saving tool. 763-315-9240 or email Bill at billb@toyotaequipment.com 
 
safety poster  
Free OSHA Forklift Rules Poster

Would look great in your lunchroom! 
Call us or email us at
sales@toyotaequipment.com
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
See our Byron/Rochester location go up! - Opens January 2016
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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OEM Links