Banana-transporting company LaManna Banana has added 16 new Toyota Series 7 forklifts to its fleet in the last year. The Melbourne-based company has operations in Sydney and Brisbane. LaManna's Queensland operation has acquired four Toyota forklifts - two at its Rocklea cold store and two at its Rocklea Market distribution point. LaManna Banana Queensland State Manager Mr Mark Taranto said his company tested every forklift on the market under working conditions before selecting Toyotas. They were evaluated for comfort, fuel efficiency, quietness and ease of manoeuvrability in the confined spaces of the stocked cold rooms. Price and service commitments were also key factors. The forklifts were supplied on maintenance leases through forklift and skid-steer loader specialists Willtrac Pty Ltd. LaManna Banana has multiple cold room storage for up to 35,000 cartons of bananas. The forklifts are used to transfer semi-trailer loads of bananas shipped to Brisbane from growers in New South Wales and from Far North Queensland. The dual-fuel machines move pallets of banana cartons from long distance transports into cold storage. They also move the pallets to vehicles for transport between the warehouse and distribution point. Toyota's breakthrough 7-series is the world's most advanced internal combustion forklift range. The comprehensive range - with models from 1. 0 to 5. 0 tonnes payload - features active stability control for maximum safety and productivity. The machines at both sites spend all their time on gas power. "The machines work seven days a week, up to 10 hours a day. Reliability and fast access to maintenance and replacement parts, if necessary, was crucial to our operation," he said. This meant the Willtrac service and maintenance contract that accompanied the Brisbane machines was an important factor in the decision to acquire Toyotas. For further information please contact: Brian Talbot Willtrac Pty Ltd Ph (07) 3375 5988