TAMPA, Florida (April 12, 2026) – Southern States Toyotalift (SST) has once again won Toyota Material Handling’s prestigious President’s Award. The award recognizes top-performing forklift dealers across North America for overall excellence in areas such as parts, service, equipment sales, finance, customer satisfaction, and general operations.
The President's Award is Toyota Material Handling's highest honor. Only 15 out of 230 forklift dealerships in North America receive this elite award. Southern States Material Handling is the only forklift dealer in Georgia or Florida to receive the President's Award.
Recipients are selected annually based on:
“Winning the President’s Award for the eighth consecutive year reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to our customers,” said SST CEO David Bailey. “Our associates are committed to helping clients run successful, productive, and safe operations. This recognition is a testament to their dedication, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
“We are thrilled to honor these exceptional dealers with the prestigious President’s Award,” said Sam Coles, Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “This year’s winners have set the standard in delivering unmatched value, service, and solutions to our customers. We thank them for their ongoing partnership and leadership in the industry.”
This year’s annual dealer meeting also celebrated the 100th anniversary of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), founded in 1926, by commemorating the partnership between TICO’s strong foundation of quality and innovation, coupled with the bold path created by founding dealers, deemed “trailblazers.”
SST is also proud to have been recognized by Toyota Material Handling for excellence in
Toyota Material Handling offers material handling products and solutions, including forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet jacks, container handlers, automated guided vehicles, and tow tractors, along with aerial work platforms, fleet management services, and advanced automation engineering and design. Toyota’s commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, the hallmark of the Toyota Production System, extends throughout more than 230 locations across North America. With access to an industry-leading lineup of material handling products, Toyota dealers are uniquely positioned to help solve wide-ranging challenges in warehousing and distribution. Built for every application, Toyota can provide the most complete set of solutions for material handling, automation, energy, advanced logistics, and warehouse optimization. For more information, visit ToyotaForklift.com.
Southern States Toyotalift has 10 locations throughout Florida and Central Georgia. By focusing on solutions rather than sales, SST Associates provides the best overall customer service experience. In addition to being a 8-time President's Award winner, SST is proud to have received the 2025 MHEDA MVP for the 5th time in a row, and one of the Best Companies to Work in Florida.
SST also supports local communities through blood donation drives, food and toy drives, and the Skillbridge program. Skillbridge provides work experience and training opportunities for service members prior to release from active duty.
Whether you're looking for a new career or a new material handling provider, we hope you'll contact us online or visit one of our locations.
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Further Reading
Why Choose SST?
5 Secrets Other Material Handling Service Providers Don’t Want You To Know
SST Named One of Florida's Best Companies to Work For