Senate candidate tours Columbus Toyota plant

By Kirk Johannesen


During a tour of Toyota Industrial Equipment on Tuesday, Dan Coats learned about the company’s forklift products and how the business has been affected by the sluggish economy.


“They’re clearly affected by the downturn in home sales, new construction and expansion, and lack of utilization of new factories. They’re not producing at the levels they want to produce,” said the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., is vacating.


The building of homes and businesses requires moving materials, which requires the use of forklifts.


“Products relate to growth in economy,” Coats said.


He visited Columbus and Seymour Tuesday to talk with businessmen, city leaders and doctors to hear their thoughts about the economy, jobs and health care.


Coats ate lunch at Larrison’s Diner in Seymour with a group Mayor Craig Luedeman organized. He also attended a doctor’s roundtable at Schneck Medical Center.