Toyota and Raymond building battery development centre

Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) is building a battery development centre in New York.

Toyota Material Handling and The Raymond Corporation will establish the advanced energy storage solutions development, prototyping and test centre in Henrietta, New York. The research and development centre will see TMHNA collaborate with Rochester area energy storage resources to further support its own and Toyota Industries’ advanced energy solutions technology efforts, including lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells.

Empire State Development (ESD), New York’s chief economic development agency, is assisting the company with the project by providing up to US$1.5 million through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit program. County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency and Greater Rochester Enterprise also provided support for the venture.

“We look forward to working alongside ESD to establish an energy storage and fuel cell development and testing centre in Henrietta, New York. We are honoured to contribute to the growth of this community while advancing innovation in sustainable technology,” said Brett Wood, president and CEO of TMHNA and senior executive officer at Toyota Industries Group.

“This initiative signifies our commitment to excellence and underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship. Through this venture, we aim to create new jobs, empowering individuals and driving progress toward a better and brighter future.”

The total project cost has been placed at a little more than $2 million. The company had considered locating its new, state-of-the-art R & D facility elsewhere, but selected the Finger Lakes region due to its world-renowned reputation for available top-notch talent and its innovative technology base.

TMHNA has committed to creating up to 40 new jobs at the facility. The company expects to begin preparation at the site immediately and be operational at the testing centre in the spring of 2024. Currently, TMHNA employs 2,560 workers statewide.

Toyota Material Handling and The Raymond Corporation have a combined 150 years in the industry, providing total solutions, including the latest research and advancements in alternative energy and forklift battery technology, being the first U.S. manufacturer to establish UL certification for an integrated lithium-ion battery and forklift solution.