Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) is donating equipment and resources to support the  Vincennes University Logistics Education and Training Center located in Plainfield, Ind. Toyota’s contributions, designed to enrich the University’s material handling program, include: two lift truck engines, an internal combustion (I.C.) lift truck, along with hands-on instruction in TMHU’s “Train-the-Trainer” Operator Safety Program.

“Toyota is committed to supporting the community and educational programs that enrich the next generation of manufacturing and distribution professionals,” said Jeff Rufener, president of TMHU, located at Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg. Inc. (TIEM) in Columbus, Ind. “With the Vincennes University Center located so close to our manufacturing plant, it is a natural extension for Toyota to contribute its resources to support the University’s material handling and warehouse training programs

The Vincennes University Logistics Education and Training Center features 30,000 square feet of classrooms, cutting edge training equipment and material handling/flexible lab space.

In addition, Toyota is also offering the faculty at the Center an opportunity to participate in its “Train-the-Trainer” Operator Safety Program to gain a better understanding of lift truck principles, OSHA requirements, improved pedestrian awareness, training techniques, and trainer responsibility. The information gained will help faculty further augment the University’s dedicated forklift Operator Safety Training program.

The two specially designed Toyota lift truck engines donated will support hands-on instructional use. The engines feature special cut-a-way sections to allow students to see the inner mechanical workings on the engines. Students will also use the donated I.C. lift truck to gain a first-hand account of the required skills to maintain and safely operate a forklift.