Work underway on new Toyota forklift dealership

Work is underway at Kansas-based Lift Truck Center Inc.’s new Springfield dealership for Toyota utility vehicles and forklifts.

Lacey Wurtz, sales administrator and project coordinator for the company’s Springfield operation, said Columbus, Kan., general contractor Crossland Construction Co. started work last month on the planned 32,000-square-foot building at 4502 E. Parallel Lane, located along Interstate 44 east of U.S. Highway 65. Crews on-site are turning dirt and building the foundation. The project designed by H Design Group LLC is scheduled to wrap in the fall.

Wurtz said the new dealership would replace its 733 N. Miller Ave. branch. Lift Truck Center entered Springfield in September 2013 with the purchase of Southern Material Handling Co.’s Queen City location.

The expanded center was necessitated by growth in the company’s lift truck product line, as well as the addition of MacroAir fans and Nilfisk-Advance floor cleaning equipment.

“In addition to lift truck and other industrial equipment repair, the shop will be designed with state-of-the-art equipment for repairing industrial batteries and chargers,” Wurtz said via email. “All building features are designed to deliver a higher quality, more responsive level of service for customers.”

Other planned features include a training room for technicians to learn about Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, an equipment showroom and executive offices.

Lift Truck Center also offers new and used equipment, parts, rentals and service across southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas.