Grocery supplier SPAR will re-equip its Acacia Ridge DC with an 18-strong fleet of forklifts from Toyota Material Handling Australia
August 4, 2011
A major grocery supplier has negotiated a five-year agreement to equip its Acacia Ridge distribution centre (DC) with a fleet of forklifts from Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA).
One of just two major suppliers to independent supermarket operators on the eastern seaboard, SPAR supplies grocery products and retail support services to some 300 independent retail supermarkets including the SPAR and 5 Star banner groups.
The company’s Acacia Ridge facility is its only national distribution centre, supplying goods to the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, as well as the Pacific Islands.
SPAR Australia’s DC has 12 new 1400kg payload BT RRE140 reach trucks and six new 1.8-tonne payload Toyota 8-FG18 forklift trucks, making TMHA its sole provider of reach trucks and gas-powered forklift trucks.
The new agreement will see TMHA provide SPAR a full 18-unit fleet for five years with provision for a two-year extension in November 2010.
TMHA, SPAR Queensland warehouse manager Jason Crane says the company took several key factors into account when making the decision to renew its agreement with TMHA.
“We’ve received tremendous support from Toyota Material Handling over many years and that helped us choose Toyota product again,” he explains.
“The two most important factors over the years have been the quality product TMHA provides and the excellent service support.
“We’ve developed an excellent relationship over many years with key personnel in Brisbane, including Bob Leck, the sales and rental manager, and Martin Gross, the major account manager.
“However, the equipment has to serve the purpose, and that begins with the quality and suitability of the units. We also took into account the feedback from our operators on comfort and ergonomic requirements.
“In addition, we considered environmental standards; specifically the emissions performance of the LPG-fuel Toyota forklifts.”
Crane says TMHA also makes a very competitive offer for rental forklifts and service.
“TMHA already has a demonstrated and proven sales and service back-up record with us, with quick response times and very minimal downtime of units,” he explains.
“The TMHA focus on occupational health and safety mirrored SPAR’s high focus in this area, and we received great support in operator training.
“On the service side, TMHA has well-trained service technicians who have provided excellent support over many years.”