Toyota Material Handling to Plant 20,000 Trees

IRVINE, Calif.—Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. (TMHU) announced it will plant 20,000 trees in national forests damaged by fire or other natural causes. Though a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, TMHU will plant one tree for every 8-Series lift truck sold in 2007.

TMHU is also expanding its commitment to the Arbor Day Foundation this year. The company said it will donate one tree for every Toyota lift truck delivered in 2008. Based on 2007 figures, TMHU should donate about 30,000 trees.

In addition, Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) in Columbus, Ind., the facility in which the 8-Series lift truck is manufactured, has created its own program to support the corporate initiative. On Arbor Day, every TIEM employee receives a seedling to plant. Since the program’s inception, nearly 13,000 seedlings have been distributed, according to TMHU.

TIEM will also donate 1,000 trees to the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District Recycling Center to distribute to the public on Arbor Day.

“The Arbor Day Foundation is grateful for Toyota Material Handling’s ongoing and increased commitment to this endeavor,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Toyota Material Handling has demonstrated a commitment to preserving and improving our environment – a philosophy that the Arbor Day Foundation shares, appreciates and respects.”