Toyota Material Handling Europe gives ‘green’ light to parts suppliers
December 2007 - Toyota Material Handling Europe gives ‘green’ light to parts suppliers
In order to raise environmental standards within the materials handling industry, Toyota Industrial Equipment SA (TIESA) has requested that all parts suppliers obtain ISO 14001 certification as from March 2008. TIESA is one of three European production centres for Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE), all of which are ISO 14001 certified.
ISO 14001 certification is used by organisations to implement and improve environmental management systems, and helps such organisations to ensure compliance with their stated environmental policies. The TIESA plant, which is located in Ancenis, France, received this certification in 2001.
The decision to require ISO 14001 certification for its parts suppliers is part of the global environmental policy of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), the world leader in materials handling equipment and the parent corporation of TMHE and TIESA.
TICO’s environmental philosophy is clear: “Toyota Industries believes that economic growth and consideration of the natural environment are compatible. It strives to offer products and services that are clean, safe and of the highest quality”.
As such, all TMHE products are made with careful consideration for resource and energy conservation and ease of recycling and decomposition, taking every aspect of the product’s life cycle into consideration. Implementing ISO 14001 certification in the parts supply chain is an additional step to strengthen and safeguard environmental management throughout the manufacturing process.
One product that highlights TMHE’s environmental commitment is the new Toyota Tonero, production of which started at the Ancenis plant in September 2007. All standard-model Toneros will be constructed of parts supplied by ISO 14001-certified suppliers. Like all forklifts produced at TIESA, the Tonero is manufactured to be 99 percent recyclable.
The Tonero range of 1.5 tonne - 3.5 tonne engine-powered trucks also exceeds the new European emissions regulations that will take effect in 2008. In addition, the Toyota Tonero is free from the harmful substances asbestos, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead and mercury.
TMHE Executive Vice President Marketing, Andrew Elliot said: “The environment is a factor that we have always taken into account when designing our trucks, including our most recent counterbalanced forklift launch, the Toyota Tonero. It is absolutely essential that we work with people who understand our environmental practices and where possible adhere to the same standards, which is why our organisation has taken the decision to ask suppliers to gain ISO 14001 certification.
He adds: “This step of asking that suppliers gain the industry-approved environmental certification is part of our continued commitment to reducing the overall impact we make on the environment. The recent launch of the Toyota Tonero, which like all TIESA-produced trucks is manufactured to be 99 percent recyclable, demonstrates the commitment we place on continuous improvement of all practices – including those involving the environment.”
For further details relating to the Toyota Tonero please visit www.toyota-tonero.eu
Media enquiries: Jeffrey Schenck, Toyota Material Handling Europe, Tel: +32 (0)2 790 30 39