The Raymond Corp. and Toyota Material Handling Inc. today announced the official opening of the Energy Solutions Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Broome County, N.Y. The facility will manufacture lithium-ion batteries and thin-plate, pure-lead battery technology for both Toyota and Raymond products.
“This grand opening marks a significant milestone in our company’s journey,” stated Michael Field, president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation. “But more important, it represents our commitment to the future by bringing jobs, growth and opportunity to advance the community and the material handling industry and by offering our customers superior energy solutions to fit their unique needs.”
Both Raymond and Toyota Material Handling are parts of Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA). Greene, N.Y.-based Raymond provides materials handling and intralogistics systems.
Built on principles of innovation and continuous improvement for over 100 years, Raymond said it has integrated automation, telematics, virtual reality and advanced energy products to boost warehouse and distribution center performance. The company‘s offerings include electric forklift trucks for global markets.
Batteries to extend lift truck utility
“Lithium-ion batteries offer significant benefits, such as avoiding removal from the lift truck, opportunity charging, and less intensive maintenance compared with lead-acid batteries,” asserted Raymond Corp. “This leads to increased labor efficiency and reduced downtime.”
It said the Energy Solutions Manufacturing Center of Excellence will enable TMHNA to widen its energy portfolio as industry demand for electric products grows.
“We are dedicated to powering a greener future, and this strategic investment will help us on that mission,” said Josh Linnemann, vice president of engineering at Toyota Material Handling. “Most important, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to solve our customers’ evolving problems.” “
“The Energy Solutions Manufacturing Center of Excellence will allow us to create so much value for our customers by developing and producing solutions to meet each customer’s unique needs,” he added.
Columbus, Indiana-based Toyota Material Handling offers systems including forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet jacks, container handlers, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and tow tractors, along with aerial work platforms, fleet management services, and advanced automation engineering and design. The Toyota Production System extends throughout more than 230 locations across North America.
TMHNA claimed that it is the industry leader in forklift sales, with one in three forklifts sold in North America either a Toyota or a Raymond product. With nearly 2.5 million square feet of manufacturing space in six locations, the company produces racking products and more than 1,500 forklifts per week.
The company reported annual revenue of over $4 billion. TMHNA has more than 15,000 associates and more than 300 dealer locations to support customers throughout North America.
Toyota Material Handling units build up in Upstate New York
The TMHNA companies said the new manufacturing facility is the culmination of many years of hard work and expands workforce opportunities in the Binghamton, N.Y., area and beyond. In addition, as a supporter of the New Energy New York initiative, the project builds on the state’s efforts to support next-generation energy resources.
“This facility is a testament to our long, rich history of innovation and developing advanced technologies,” said Jennifer Lupo, vice president of energy solutions, supply chain and leasing, at Raymond. “With the growing range of solutions available to support electric-powered equipment in facilities, we’re excited to continue driving industry advancement through our latest innovations and offerings.”
“Binghamton’s battery hub keeps sparking new growth,” stated U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “Now forklifts and other electric-powered equipment that keep our country’s factories running smoothly will be powered by technology developed and made right here in the Southern Tier.”
Hope Knight, president, commissioner, and CEO of Empire State Development (ESD) said: “Expanding New York state’s green economy is a top priority for Gov. Kathy Hochul and for ESD. We’re proud to support The Raymond Corporation’s commitment to driving alternative energy applications in the lift truck manufacturing industry and thrilled that this century-old Southern Tier company is continuing to create economic opportunities and quality jobs throughout the region.”
