TMHA Melbourne flagship branch opens its doors

Toyota Materials Handling Australia (TMHA) has celebrated the launch of its new flagship branch in Melbourne with a special opening ceremony attended by dignitaries and key stakeholders.

The new facility, located at 281 Discovery Rd, Dandenong South, began construction in June 2022, and is based on a 32,600sqm parcel of land based just five minutes down the road from the facility it replaces.

The building itself takes up half of the available land, and at 16,350sqm is 34 per cent larger than the previous site, TMHA said.

A grand opening ceremony was held on June 15, hosted by AFL legend Simon Madden with 340 people in attendance.

Guests of honour who attended include Toyota Industries Corporation Executive Officer, Yoichiro Yamazaki, and Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Junji Shimada.

TMHA President and CEO, Steve Takacs, was joined by Toyota Material Handling International Vice-President, Sam Coles, and other notable VIPs including business magnate, Lindsay Fox, and the member for Dandenong, the honourable Gabrielle Williams MP.

Takacs said the new branch will allow for a greater level of usability and innovation for the brand.

"With features like a dedicated dirt demonstration area, paint booths and support for parts and service, our new state-of-the-art facility will offer more for our valued Victorian customers," Takacs said.

"Our new site supports capability for sales and rentals, accounts operations, storage of inventory and parts, servicing and training, providing customers with a holistic TMHA experience."

The opening ceremony was held in the new branch's workshop facility, complete with traditional Japanese customs including daruma doll eye painting, tree planting and a sake barrel breaking ceremony.

As proud partners of the Essendon Football Club, TMHA had star Bombers from both the AFL and AFLW sides attend the event including Jye Caldwell, Jordan Ridley, Maddy Prespakis and Georgia Gee, with all guests taking home a signed football and commemorative Japanese sake.

Guest of honour, Lindsay Fox, was in charge of cutting the ribbon to officially open the new site.

The new warehouse and workshop area is also 28 per cent larger, TMHA said, while a new 300sqm 'dirt' demonstration area allows prospective customers to test out the HUSKI Construction Equipment range of earthmoving products.

The facility also has sealed and pressurised paint and preparation booths for forklifts and other construction equipment to be custom painted to customers' exact specifications.

The site will hold inventories of new material handling and HUSKI construction equipment, and offers full support coverage for parts, workshop and field service, and training facilities.