Toyota Material Handling Europe returns to Milan Design Week with all-encompassing exhibition “It’s Just Forklifts”

A Journey Through the History of Logistics and Toyota Design 

Presented during Milan Design Week 2026 at Fuorisalone, a week-long design festival taking place April 20–26 across the city, alongside the 64th edition of Salone del Mobile at Fiera Milano (Rho), “It’s Just Forklifts” sets out to shift perspectives by placing forklifts at the centre of a curated design narrative. The exhibition traces the evolution of moving goods, beginning with logistics’ earliest challenges and culminating in today’s interconnected supply‑chain ecosystems. This historical journey transitions seamlessly into Toyota’s own design heritage, showcasing prototypes, iconic products and key milestones that demonstrate how design has shaped usability, safety and sustainability across generations of forklifts. By presenting these machines as engineered objects with purpose and personality, Toyota Material Handling Europe aims to broaden the public’s understanding of the essential role forklifts play in modern life. 

2026 Toyota Logistic Design Competition – Finalists Revealed 

A major highlight of the exhibition is the unveiling of the finalists of the 2026 Toyota Logistic Design Competition, a collaboration with trusted partners Toyota Motor Europe, Toyota Europe Design Development (ED²), Toyota Material Handling Europe Design Center and – new this time – Toyota Open Labs. This year’s edition challenges young designers from around the world to envision future material‑flow systems tailored to the needs and opportunities of the African continent. Their proposals – expressed through models, visuals and interactive elements – reveal bold, imaginative approaches to logistics, mobility and human‑centred design. The competition area becomes a platform for emerging talent and a space where creativity meets real‑world challenges. 

Concepts & Research 

Toyota Material Handling Europe also dedicates a significant portion of the exhibition to its Lower Carbon concept research, centred on the iconic Toyota Traigo48 electric counterbalanced forklift. This research explores how forklifts can drastically reduce environmental impact through materials innovation, life-cycle assessment and collaborative development. Visitors will encounter both theoretical studies and physical prototypes that test new materials and processes. With contributions Tyri, Solideal by Michelin and TR Industrial, the project demonstrates Toyota Material Handling Europe’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable industrial design. 

Looking further into the future, the exhibition introduces AI TeamDelivery concept, an advanced vision of collaborative intralogistics. This research explores autonomous movement, fleet intelligence and next-generation human-machine interaction. The concept illustrates how AI-driven systems could transform warehouse environments, enabling teams of machines and people to work together more fluidly, safely and efficiently. As part of Toyota Material Handling Europe’s advanced design research, AI TeamDelivery offers a glimpse into the next era of intelligent logistics. 

Together with Karimoku Furniture, Toyota Industries Corporation, has unveiled the Ki‑Cart, a concept model of an automated guided vehicle crafted with sustainably sourced wood. This Wooden Cart demonstrates how natural materials can be integrated into industrial logistics equipment, offering a fresh vision for eco‑design that balances operational performance with environmental responsibility. The project highlights a cross‑industry commitment to more sustainable logistics solutions. 

The Concepts & Research area also highlights Toyota Europe Design Development’s forward-looking approach to mobility through the IMV Origin and IMV Zero. The IMV Origin reinterprets essential utility with a bold, expressive design language, while the IMV Zero embodies a clean, minimalist vision built around zero emission performance and modular adaptability. Together, these concept vehicles illustrate Toyota’s commitment to exploring new forms of functionality and redefining how future mobility can serve diverse needs. 

An Unexpected Synergy 

Adding an unexpected creative dimension, Toyota Material Handling Europe welcomes back artist Ennio Sitta (Bensone) for a live, on-site art performance. Known for his playful, energetic street‑style doodle art, Sitta will once again transform his impressions of the exhibition into spontaneous visual interpretations. His “jam session” brings an artistic counterpoint to the technical world of forklifts, celebrating the theme “It’s Just Forklifts” with humour and expressive flair. 

Grand Finale: the New Traigo48 

The exhibition culminates with the grand reveal of the new Traigo48 Lithium-ion forklift, Toyota’s next-generation fully electric counterbalanced truck with integrated lithium-ion battery. “Designed to meet the logistics challenges of tomorrow,” says Magnus Oliveira Andersson, Head of Design at Toyota Material Handling Europe, “the new Traigo_i combines high performance with advanced energy efficiency, refined ergonomics and a renewed design language. We have introduced the new sleek design across the Traigo range, with celebrated success.” 

With “It’s Just Forklifts,” Toyota Material Handling Europe embraces the spirit of Milan Design Week by elevating an often overlooked field into a rich, multidimensional design experience. The exhibition invites professionals, students and curious visitors alike to discover the beauty, intelligence and societal importance of the machines that quietly keep the world in motion.