We open our 'Center of Excellence for Automated Solutions'
At our KION Automation Center Antwerp in Belgium employees from 40 nations work together at the site to develop, test and produce automation solutions for the KION brands.
Our own fuel cell systems for industrial trucks
We have developed a 24-volt fuel cell system for warehouse trucks. Up to 5,000 fuel cell systems per year can be manufactured on the new production line at the Hamburg plant. A 48-volt system is to be added to the fuel cell portfolio in the next years.
Start of production at new plant in Jinan (China)
In the Chinese city of Jinan (Shandong Province), we inaugurate a plant for counterbalanced trucks with which we intend to significantly expand our product portfolio in order to exploit growth opportunities in the value segment.
On an area of almost 223,000 m² (= more than 31 soccer pitches), we have also set up a research and development center, a training center and an administrative area at the KION Jinan plant.
Start of production at new plant in Kołbaskowo (Poland)
We have opened a cutting-edge counterbalance truck plant in the Polish town of Kołbaskowo (near Szczecin) and have invested a total of around €80 million in the new plant. KION Polska adds to our existing European-wide production sites and will focus on products for customers in the EMEA region with less demanding applications.
Acquisition of Digital Applications International
We acquire UK software company 'Digital Applications International' (DAI), which specializes in logistics applications. DAI expands Dematic’s software portfolio, we gain specialist knowledge of logistics automation and supply chain engineering.
KION expands in India
With the extension of our Indian site in Pune, KION India, with a capital expenditure of €15 million, we are not only inceasing our production capacity, but we are also paving the way for the expansion of Dematic's innovative supply chain solutions in the Indian market.
KION focuses on digitalization
We are regarded as a digital pioneer in our sector. We open the first KION Digital Campus in Frankfurt.
We manage our global business from Frankfurt am Main now
We start a new chapter with the opening of our new offices near Frankfurt airport. The commercial hub with its excellent infrastructure offers everything we need as a global business.
KION formulates the KION 2027 strategy
We define our path toward further growth through our KION 2027 strategy. The key areas of action are digitalization, automation, efficient energy use, innovation, and performance.
Acquisition of Dematic
The acquisition of Dematic enables us to establish a second segment and become a leading global provider of supply chain solutions. Dematic is the leading specialist in automation, supply chain optimization, and warehouse software.
Investment in system solutions and automation
We acquire the Belgian company Egemin Automation, and we strengthen our warehouse systems expertise in North America with the acquisition of Retrotech. Systems solutions and warehouse automation are the key to our future growth.
KION North America presents new product portfolio
Linde Material Handling North America becomes KION North America. The company completely redesigns its product portfolio in line with the requirements of the North American market (USA, Canada, and Mexico).
KION India opens up the Indian market
Voltas Material Handling becomes KION India and expands its brand offering. In addition to manufacturing and selling products bearing the OM and OM Voltas brand names, KION India now also sells industrial trucks, warehouse technology, and services under the Baoli and Linde brands.
KION Group launches IPO
We make our debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on June 28, 2013. Our stock is listed on Deutsche Börse’s MDAX in 2014. The capital market is impressed by the Group’s performance and outlook for the future.
KION expands in South America
A new facility for the manufacture of forklift trucks and warehouse trucks is established in Indaiatuba (Brazil). KION South America represents an important step toward taking an even greater share of the Central and South American markets.
Anchor investor for the KION Group
Weichai Power invests in KION Group and becomes another anchor investor. Our new partner acquires an initial 25 per cent stake and ensures even better access to the Chinese market.
Founding of Voltas Material Handling
We establish Voltas Material Handling as an Indian joint venture for forklift trucks and warehouse trucks. Voltas focuses on selling its products on the Indian volume market.
Founding of Baoli as a joint venture
We play a key role in establishing the Chinese joint venture KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co., Ltd. under the umbrella of the KION Group. The new Baoli brand initially produces and sells forklift trucks in the value segment on the Asian market, and later on all over the world. Baoli becomes a full member of the KION Group in 2011.
The beginnings of the KION Group
Linde AG brings together its truck business with the brands Linde, STILL, and OM under the umbrella of the KION Group. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners acquire the multi-brand group.
