News

A highly modified 40-foot shipping container sporting state-of-the art facilities has proven to be a crowd-winner for Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) at this year's Bathurst 1000.

The Customer Activation Centre - easily identifiable by its distinctive Toyota Material Handling and Huski Construction Equipment livery - was available for everyone's enjoyment for the duration of the event, from 10-13 October.

TMHA general manager - Marketing & Business Development, George Malamatinis, said the transportable building was highly customised to include features and amenities perfectly suited to the Great Race.

"The Bathurst 1000 is Australia's ultimate motorsport event and it was the first time we'd had our Customer Activation Centre at an event of such magnitude so we're were really excited about it.

"We we're making it all about the race and supporting that. We showed the race the entire time on our three big-screen TVs and audiophile sound system.

"It was a perfect opportunity to get the TMHA brand out to the racing community. There's lots of crossover between what we do and the needs of the motorsports industry and the businesses of race fans.

"It was nice to mingle with the public and network with customers and potential customers in the comfort of our air-conditioned lounge. People enjoyed the hospitality from our kitchen, had a coffee and learned more about our range and technologies."

TMHA's brand and product themes are incorporated throughout the Customer Activation Centre, with the front service desk being made in the shape and colour of a Toyota forklift counterweight.

The Activation Centre's mezzanine level features 12 metres of covered roof shading, seats made from customised Toyota forklift chairs and tables custom-built from pallets.

Another V8 that pleased on Mount Panorama was TMHA's hotted-up 6-litre engine forklift. The demonstrator forklift is based on a four-tonne payload Toyota model but sports a grunty Crate Chevrolet V8. Much effort was employed to mate the engine to the forklift transmission and differential, fit disc brakes and paint it Toyota orange.

George Malamatinis said a Toyota Huski skid steer loader added further diversity to TMHA's offerings at Bathurst.

"We were proud to be able to contribute to an event as iconic as the Bathurst 1000.

"It was neat to have the Customer Activation Centre as part of it. It's an amazing piece of equipment. It was purpose-built for us and is one-of-a kind.

"People really appreciated the facilities. It was a big winner with the fans."

For more information on our product range, contact your local TMHA branch or call 1800 425 438.