A century ago, Sakichi Toyoda laid the foundation for what would become Toyota Industries Corporation, guided by a set of principles that were as visionary then as they are relevant today.
Known as the Toyoda Precepts, these values captured his belief in innovation, integrity and respect for people.
At Toyota Material Handling Europe, this heritage guides us in our everyday work. Our People Philosophy offers a modern interpretation of our values, reflecting a shared commitment between our company and each single employee. In the same way, our Code of Conduct translates the spirit of the Toyoda Precepts into practical guidance, helping us navigate a complex and evolving world so that our decisions– at every level – are grounded in sound and ethical business practices.
With the adoption of Toyota Industries Europe AB’s Group Policy on Business Ethics, Corporate Culture, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, and Whistleblower Protection, we aim to reinforce a consistent approach to integrity across our European entities. While no policy can address every situation, this one reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, supporting us as we work to uphold these principles for the long term.
Our governance structures support this commitment. The Toyota Material Handling Europe Compliance Committee, led by senior executives, works to ensure that risks are considered with both strategic awareness and operational care. Local Compliance Officers help translate these expectations into everyday practice in each entity, fostering ownership and accountability close to the business. Together, they form a network that helps uphold our values while remaining attentive to emerging challenges.
Trade compliance is an important part of this approach. Our policy, aligned with EU sanctions and export controls, provides a framework for processes that are globally consistent yet locally applicable. With appropriate screening tools and clear responsibilities, we strive to maintain operations that are resilient, compliant and dependable.
Our Code of Conduct outlines key expectations on human rights and ethical behaviour, insider trading, anti‑corruption and responsible use of company assets, reinforcing our commitment to legal compliance and to conducting business with integrity and respect for people, society and the environment. All employees complete mandatory biennial Code of Conduct training, delivered through multilingual e‑learning and supported by in‑person sessions from Local Compliance Officers. New hires receive additional onboarding training on Toyota’s history and the Toyoda Precepts. To support accountability, we provide a 24/7 third‑party Code of Conduct Helpline for raising concerns, and we maintain a Compliance Investigations Policy that includes anti‑retaliation safeguards.
We are strengthening our focus on areas that define the future of responsible business: anti-bribery and corruption, ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) compliance and responsible procurement. By mapping risk-exposed functions, rolling out targeted training and expanding our EU ESG Law Toolkit, we are preparing our people to navigate tomorrow’s regulatory landscape with confidence and clarity. Our Responsible Procurement Policy ensures that our supply chain reflects the same standard of integrity we demand of ourselves.