Toyota Honors Top Suppliers with Annual Quality Cost Delivery Award


COLUMBUS, Ind. (September 5, 2007) - Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Inc. (TIEM), the U.S. manufacturing plant for Toyota lift trucks, announced the winners of its annual Supplier of the Year Award. The Quality Cost Delivery (QCD) award is given to those TIEM suppliers whose quality, cost and delivery exceed a 95 percent standard of excellence.

Suppliers are evaluated based on a parts rejection rate (PPM= parts per million); their ability to meet cost reduction targets: and on-time delivery performance. All points are awarded based on a corresponding scale for the fiscal year.

This year, seven winners earned the coveted award, from more than 75 suppliers used by TIEM. The award ceremony took place at the TIEM production facility in Columbus, Ind., during the annual Supplier Conference.

"Our ability to provide the highest quality lift-trucks to our customers while maintaining our exceptional customer service is heavily dependent on the performance of our suppliers," said Bruce Nolting, vice president of logistics, production control, purchasing, sales and service parts, Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing. "We believe this award reflects both our suppliers' commitment to the Toyota Way, as well as our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. We are thrilled to have these suppliers among this year's award winners."

This year's winners are:

o Advance Wheel Corporation - Chicago, Ill.

o Aisin World Corporation of America - Crothersville, Ind.

o Champion Graphics Corporations - Cincinnati, Ohio

o DTR Tennessee, Inc. - Midway, Tenn.

o KYB America, LLC - Lombard, Ill.

Sanko Electronics America, Inc. - Charleston, W. Va.

Trident - Hicksville, Ohio

In addition to the seven recipients of the QCD Award, two suppliers received a Special Service Award for their contributions to the launch of the

8-Series, Toyota's new line of 3,000-6,500 lb, internal combustion cushion and pneumatic tire lift trucks. Tasus Corporation of Bloomington, Ind., and Yazaki North America, Inc., of Lexingon, Ky., were recognized in this category.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.

Celebrating its 40th year of establishing operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc., (TMHU) is the number one selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. Built on a reputation for excellence, Toyota is known for its quality, reliability and durability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota's world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including TIEM.

TIEM and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-nine authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 189 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts, service, fleet management and financing. For more information on TMHU, please visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 1-800-226-0009.

Contact:
Melinda Beckett-Maines
Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.
949-223-7722
melinda.beckett-maines@tmhu.com

Christine Welch
RiechesBaird PR
714-573-0899, ext. 25
christine@riechesbaird.com

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