Norbert Dentressangle Logistics UK and Toyota Material Handling have built on their working relationship by teaming up to support international development charity, Transaid.
In a joint venture, Toyota is donating a 2.5-tonne counterbalance forklift truck (FLT) to the organisation, while Norbert Dentressangle has arranged for Jason Thornton - one of its own FLT trainers - to fly out to The Industrial Training Centre Trust (ITC) in Lusaka, Zambia and deliver onsite training to the centre's instructors.
Transaid partnered with the ITC in August 2008 and has steadily been building its capacity to deliver commercial driver training. The project aims to reduce the number of road crashes, which are the third highest cause of death in the region after HIV/AIDS and Malaria. It also boosts economic capacity and is helping to alleviate poverty by addressing the shortage of skilled drivers in the region.
Bob Faichnie, Norbert Dentressangle Business Unit Director, visited the ITC earlier this year and identified a need for onsite FLT training. "We're delighted to be working in partnership with our customer, Toyota, to support the valuable training provision at the centre and help local people to develop skills for a sustainable income," says Bob. "Our trainer will ensure that the ITC instructors will be able to deliver training that meets safe and professional industry standards for many years to come."
Tony Wallis, Operations Director for Toyota Material Handling added: "Having access to a modern truck will help provide the right training equipment to teach valuable materials handling skills. The ability to move goods safely and effectively helps communities and regions to develop and Toyota are proud to support Transaid in their valuable efforts."
Chris Saunders, CEO Transaid comments; "We are delighted to have the support of Norbert Dentressangle and Toyota on this project which is enabling us to extend driver training standards even further from on the road to within the warehouse, where it is equally important to prevent fatalities. This work would not have been possible without the support of the industry coming together for which we are truly grateful."