Toyota Industries Corporation Launches Global Autonomous Vehicle Software Development Company

COLUMBUS, Ind. (April 20, 2021) — In order to meet the increasing demands of its customers, Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) will bundle its software development in autonomous vehicles (AVs), increase its global investments and establish T-Hive B.V. as a new center of excellence. By combining the software products, partnerships and innovations from TICO’s main Group companies, Toyota L&F, Toyota Material Handling, Toyota Material Handling Europe, Raymond, Bastian and Vanderlande, and respective brands, the organization will significantly strengthen and expand TICO’s main brands solution portfolio.

“The new portfolio will consist of existing solutions within TICO, ensuring that our loyal customers can benefit throughout their automation journey,” said Yojiro Mizuno, TICO Senior Executive Officer responsible for TICO’s material handling solutions business, stressing the importance of being close to customers while benefitting from global developments. “Our strong customer organizations support such developments while managing smooth project implementation on the customer side.”

In recent years, the demand for AVs has been increasing in line with the rapid growth of the e-commerce market, labor shortages in general and the need for flexibility. Flexibility in operations, application areas and vehicle type have become increasingly important, as well as the potential to deploy AV solutions worldwide. With this in mind, T-Hive has been established to centrally coordinate all developments, leverage existing solutions for new market segments and accelerate innovations globally to support TICO’s customer-facing companies.

“Due to the increasing demand for software development in all industries, securing personnel is also becoming a global challenge. Our new company, T-Hive, will create opportunities for us to work together across the Toyota Industries Group network,” said Norio Wakabayashi, TICO Executive Officer. “This decision highlights TICO’s commitment to remaining a leading player in the AV business and its investments accordingly.”

The new company will operate from Ede in The Netherlands from April 2021 and be led by Léon Jansen, serving as T-Hive CEO and Managing Director. T-Hive’s main focus will be to provide a seamless control system encompassing all AVs within TICO, such as automated guided forklifts (AGFs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

“Modern software developers experience the fine balance between making great quality software and meeting delivery deadlines every day,” Jansen said. “Our combined solution portfolio will be introduced at logistics sites around the world, enabling TICO’s customers to enjoy the seamless movement, storage and distribution of goods throughout their entire supply chains.”

1. Company name: T-Hive B.V.

2. Headquarters: Ede, The Netherlands

3. Representative: Léon Jansen

4. Business description:

1) Application planning for autonomous vehicles and control systems

2) Architecture/software development and sales

To learn more about T-Hive and its software development services for customers integrating their businesses with the latest Toyota automation technologies and solutions, visit www.t-hive.io.

About Toyota Material Handling

Toyota Material Handling offers a full line of material handling products and solutions proudly assembled in the United States, including forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet jacks, container handlers, automated guided vehicles, and tow tractors, along with aerial work platforms, fleet management services, and advanced automation engineering and design. Toyota’s commitment to quality, reliability and customer satisfaction, the hallmark of the Toyota Production System, extends throughout more than 230 locations across North America. For more information, visit ToyotaForklift.com.

About Toyota Industries Corporation

Toyota Industries Corporation was established in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture in 1926 for the manufacture and sale of the Type G Automatic Loom invented by Toyota Industries Corporation founder Sakichi Toyoda. Afterwards, the company’s field of business was expanded to automotive related fields such as vehicles, engines, and car air conditioning compressors, as well as industrial vehicles, such as lift trucks, and other materials handling equipment and systems related to transportation, storage, and sorting of goods. They continued to devote themselves to research and development to create new value as well as to providing products and services that would satisfy their customers. Currently, they have 256 consolidated subsidiary companies, their employee count has risen to 66,478 (as of March 31, 2020), and they are proud to hold the largest world market share* for three products: air-jet looms, car air conditioning compressors, and lift trucks. In promoting their diverse businesses, Toyota Industries Corporation contributes to making the earth a better place to live, enrich lifestyles and promote a compassionate society. For more information, please visit toyota-industries.com.