The Raymond Corporation was represented by two associates at the Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG) Skills Competition in Takahama, Japan, on March 22, 2018. Megan Romain, an inspector at Raymond, and Kyle Baldwin, a welder at Raymond, both placed second and won silver medals in their respective events in Japan.

Megan Romain, an inspector at Raymond, participated in the inaugural inspection skills competition. In the TMHG inspection competition, participants were evaluated on several timed inspection tasks, which included measurement process and results, defect detection, and visual detection of various parts. Romain placed second in the competition among eight competitors across TMHG facilities in China, France, Italy, Sweden, the United States and Vietnam.

This year was also Raymond’s inaugural internal inspection competition to help promote friendly competition, accuracy, skills and knowledge. As the internal inspection competition winner, Romain earned an invitation from TMHG to travel to Japan to compete in the TMHG Skills Competition for inspection.

Kyle Baldwin, a welder at Raymond, participated in the second annual welding skills competition. In the TMHG welding competition, participants had to weld a steel pressure vessel performing tack welding, semiautomatic welding and finishing of the surface. Baldwin placed second in the competition among seven other competitors across TMHG facilities in China, France, Italy, Sweden and the United States.

Raymond’s internal welding competitions began in 2015, helping to promote friendly competition and enhance welding skills and knowledge. As the internal welding competition winner, Baldwin earned an invitation from TMHG to travel to Japan to compete in the TMHG Skills Competition for welding.

“It’s an honor that our associates were able to showcase their best-in-industry skills at the TMHG Skills Competition in Takahama, Japan, amongst other best-in-industry competitors. We congratulate them on their award-winning efforts,” said Michael Field, CEO of The Raymond Corporation. “We are committed to developing associates with the skills that exemplify the core principles of quality, service and innovation that really drive efficiency and productivity in our industry.” 

“Congratulations to the silver medal winners, whose excellent performances during the competition further proved Raymond’s fundamental strength and showcased the company’s outstanding quality,” said Hiroshi Tomita, general manager of the manufacturing department, TMHG. “We anticipate these winners will work to train other welding personnel and pass along their advanced skills, which will continue to showcase TMHG as the global manufacturing leader of forklifts and warehouse equipment.”