Raymond, sister company repurpose Kirkwood building

$15.6 million project to create up to 45 new jobs              

KIRKWOOD — The Raymond Corporation and Toyota Material Handling, Inc. are expanding into Broome County. Raymond, a lift-truck manufacturer in Chenango County, is repurposing an existing structure located on Corporate Drive in the town of Kirkwood. The effort established what the company calls the Energy Solutions Manufacturing Center of Excellence, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sept. 9. The total project cost is a little more than $15.6 million. As a result of the expansion, Raymond has committed to creating up to 45 new jobs. The Raymond Corporation and Toyota Material Handling are two subsidiary companies within Toyota Material Handling North America. The new facility will enable Raymond and its parent company to develop a “more diverse portfolio of energy solutions” as industry demand for electric products continues to grow. It will continue to support the firm’s longstanding presence in New York state and its “green” product line via the assembly of advanced-energy products, including lithium-ion battery packs used in Raymond lift trucks. “We are excited to welcome The Raymond Corporation’s expansion to Broome County and are grateful for their commitment to growing here,” Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said in the state’s announcement. “This new facility will bring valuable jobs, cutting-edge technology, and a significant boost to our local economy. Raymond’s decision to expand in our community shows strong confidence in our future.” The company has begun the process of renovating, equipping, and operating at this facility and expects to be fully operational sometime in 2025. This announcement builds on the significant work taking place in New York state and the Southern Tier in the energy storage and advanced battery industries, Hochul’s office said. Empire State Development is assisting the company with the project by providing up to $1 million through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs tax-credit program. “This grand opening marks a significant milestone in our company’s journey,” Michael Field, president and CEO of the Raymond Corporation said in the state’s announcement. “But more importantly, it represents our commitment to the future by bringing jobs, growth and opportunity to advance the community and the material handling industry, and by offering our customers with superior energy solutions to fit their unique needs.” Josh Linnemann, VP of engineering at Toyota Material Handling, added that the strategic investment will help power a greener future and solve customers’ evolving problems. “The Energy Solutions Manufacturing Center of Excellence will allow us to create so much value for our customers by developing and producing solutions to meet each customer’s unique needs,” he said.

About Raymond, TMHNA

Founded in 1922, the Raymond Corporation launched in the village of Greene in Chenango County as a foundry. The company’s products evolved to include patents for the design of the first double-faced wooden pallet and hydraulic hand-pallet truck. In 2017, the company introduced its first lift truck powered by a lithium-ion battery, per the announcement. Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA), which calls itself “the industry leader in forklift sales,” is composed of two main group companies: Toyota Material Handling, Inc. and The Raymond Corporation. One in three forklifts sold in North America is either a Toyota or Raymond product. With nearly 2.5 million square feet of manufacturing space, TMHNA is composed of five manufacturing-plant locations: Greene in Chenango County, along with Columbus, Indiana; Muscatine, Iowa; East Chicago, Indiana; and Oakville, Ontario, Canada that produce racking products and more than 1,500 forklifts per week. With annual revenue topping $4 billion, TMHNA has more than 15,000 employees and more than 300 dealer locations to support Toyota and Raymond customers throughout North America.