COLUMBUS, Ind. — Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) announces the expansion of its executive team in an effort to further strengthen the North American regional operations and distribution channels of the two respected brands it represents: Toyota and Raymond.

Effective immediately, Jeff Rufener will take the helm as president of Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. Rufener joins Toyota after most recently serving as vice president of marketing for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. He brings more than 30 years of material handling industry and executive experience to Toyota. Rufener is the son of Abilene residents, Gale and Dorean Rufener, and his wife, Jane, is daughter of local residents John and Edna Pientka.

“In 2010, we formalized TMHNA’s management and operations structure to strengthen the North American regional brands of Toyota and Raymond,” said James Malvaso, president and chief executive officer of TMHNA. “Today, we are adding more talent to the team. Jeff brings a wealth of leadership and material handling knowledge that will help further strengthen TMHU.”

TMHNA is comprised of TIEM; TMHU, supplier of the number one selling lift truck brand in North America; and The Raymond Corporation, a leading provider of electric lift trucks and solutions used in warehouse and distribution environments.

Rufener held a variety of positions at MCFA including: vice president of sales; director of counterbalanced products; general manager of national accounts and fleet management; purchasing manager; and various other management, staff and field positions in sales and product support.

He also serves as the president of the Industrial Truck Association, further reinforcing his leadership position within the material handling industry. Rufener has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kansas State University in Manhattan.