04_SHD_May:ShD re-design 1/5/07 09:35 Page 4
■ Toyota/BT Merger
Wedding in
progress
Two of the most successful materials handling operations in the UK, Toyota and BT
Rolatruc, are joining forces under the Toyota Materials Handling UK (TMHUK) banner.
Although the new Toyota Materials Handling
UK company has not yet been formed – the
announcement was to reveal the intention
rather than the result – it was clear that the
Toyota and BT brands will still exist and be
marketed separately.
It makes a perfect fit, as Toyota’s
excellence lies in the field of counterbalanced
forklift trucks, whereas BT Rolatruc’s name is
in the field of warehouse trucks. Toyota has
‘outside’ expertise, whereas BT’s is inside the
warehouse. BT has a proud service and rental
record, and Toyota can boast about its quality
and the Toyota Production System (TPS), its
philosophy and methodology behind its
manufacturing and logistics. Blend these
Mike Mathias
complementary strengths together, and you
Steve Hodkinson
The signs at the posh restaurant where the have a company that offers the entire gamut Mike Mathias, current MD of BT Rolatruc
press announcement took place said it all – of material handling equipment and back-up, Ltd, and Deputy MD Steve Hodkinson,
‘Wedding in Progress’. The engagement with very few gaps and very little crossover. current MD of Toyota Industrial Equipment
had been announced in 2000 when Toyota So there lies the sense in merging the two (UK) Ltd. The integration is taking place on a
bought BT Rolatruc and ran it as a wholly- businesses under the TMHUK umbrella, and global basis, with Toyota Industries
owned operation. Last month’s thus integrating the important areas of sales Corporation – the parent group – launching
announcement signalled the full and service. When the new company is up and TMHG in April 2006 as a vehicle to facilitate
consummation of the union. running – which is expected to be by the end the integration of the two parties.
As the press were ushered into Raymond of September – a customer can source its TMHG is already the global number one in
Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons to hear material handling equipment from just one terms of units sold. The aim of this latest
details of this major news story, we were company. move is, in the words of Mike Mathias, “to be
expecting to hear a positive spin on the significantly ahead of number two.” It already
inevitable resultant job losses. What came as After all the talk of accounts for one quarter of the materials
the largest surprise was not the fact that these
consolidation in the
handling equipment market, and its aim is to
two highly respected materials handling
brands were coming together under the
industry, here was an
increase that share to one third.
The new TMHE operation is headquartered
TMHUK banner, rather that the plan was to
announcement to turn that
in Brussels, with factories in Ancenis (F),
increase head count rather than to cull staff. thinking on its head. Bologna (I) and Mjölby (S). It boasts a total
After all the talk of consolidation in the turnover of 1.6 billion Euros and employs
industry, here was an announcement to turn As announced in last month’s edition of approximately 7,500 people.
that thinking on its head. ShD, TMHUK - which is itself under the In the UK, TMHUK will be responsible for
The announcement will spell the end of BT umbrella of Toyota Materials Handling sales in the UK, Republic of Ireland and, by a
Rolatruc as a company, but not as a brand. Europe (TMHE) - will be spearheaded by MD quirk of geography, Iceland. It will be made
4 ShD May 2007 www.PressOnShD.com
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