Fresh produce supplier opts for safety offered by Toyota

Premier Fruits Group is one of only a few vertically integrated companies in Australia with a supply chain that spans from farm to retailer. And in order to meet its distribution demands, the company relies on a fleet of 60 Toyota forklifts located across central markets and its warehouses in the five major capital cities.

The majority of the fleet consists of 1.8 t payload Toyota 8FG18 forklifts, as well as Toyota BT powered pallet movers.

Safety and stability characterise the Toyota 8-Series forklifts with the System of Active Stability (SAS), which includes an Active Swing Lock Cylinder to help improve forklift stability and reduce the potential for tip overs.

Another safety feature on the forklifts is an Operator Presence System (OPS) that prevents the forklift from being used if the operator is not seated correctly. The forklifts are also designed with a spacious operator compartment that provides good forward visibility for operators.

Premier Fruits Group Co-founder and Director Joe Petroro is confident in the reliability of the forklifts and the back-up he receives from Toyota.

“We’re very happy with the service and support we get from Toyota in the central markets and at our warehouses,” said Petroro.

“Fresh produce is an industry where certain things have to be done yesterday, so to speak. Breakdowns have to be sorted as quickly and efficiently as possible so you have the required number of forklifts for the job.

“Toyota has always been very good for us in that regard.”

Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) uses the resources of its national branch network to supply and service the company’s fleet of Toyota rental forklifts.

“Their use of rental forklifts provides flexibility and allows Premier Fruits Group to concentrate on its business strengths,” said Scott Bocksette, Melbourne area sales manager for Toyota.

“Their forklifts in the central markets are all serviced by our on-site technicians, while mobile service vans from our branches service the forklifts at the company’s warehouses. We attend to all their forklift requirements.”

Toyota’s 8-Series forklift range includes internal combustion and battery electric models with payloads of up to 8 t for IC models.

Image caption: Premier Fruits Group Co-founder Joe Petroro with his Toyota forklift.