Toyota's history
Since its creation as a spinning and weaving company, the history of Toyota has been marked by numerous decisive innovations and developments. These have turned TICO into the world number one in material handling.
1918 : Sakichi Toyoda founds the Toyoda Spinning and Weaving Company.
1937 : The Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is founded.
1930 - 1940 : Kiichiro Toyoda implements the Toyota Production System (TPS).
1956 : Toyota enters the industrial vehicles market with its first engine-powered forklift truck.
1958 : Forklift exports from Japan begin.
1965 : First Toyota forklift truck sold in Europe.
1967 : The company expands its product range with its first electric forklift.
1970 : The dedicated Japanese Takahama plant begins truck production.
1971 : 100,000 forklift units sold worldwide.
1985 : 500,000 forklift units sold worldwide.
1986 : Toyota receives the Deming Prize, Japan’s most prestigious quality control award.
1987 : Toyota Industrial Equipment starts European production in Ancenis, France.
1995 : 1,000,000 forklift units sold worldwide.
1996 : Inauguration of the Toyota Industrial Equipment S.A. (TIESA) plant in Ancenis, France.
1997 : TIESA is awarded the ISO 9001 certification for quality management.
1998 : Toyota launches its exclusive System of Active Stability (SAS) for use in forklifts worldwide.
2000 : 1,200,000 forklift units sold worldwide. BT Industries joins Toyota family.
2001 : TIESA receives ISO 14001 certification for class-leading environmental management.
2003 : The German Fördermittel Journal names TICO the world leader in material handling,
a position it continues to hold today.
2005 : Toyota Industrial Equipement in Europe counts 350 dealers in 27 countries.