Management
Executive Board
Gordon Riske
born 1957 in Detroit (USA)
Nationality: American
Career
Since 2007 | KION Group, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
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Since 2013 | Chief Executive Officer of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
2008 - 2013 | Chief Executive Officer of KION Group GmbH, Wiesbaden (Germany) |
2007 | Member of the Executive Board, Wiesbaden (Germany) |
2007 - 2009 | Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany) Chairman of the Management Board |
2000 - 2007 | Deutz AG, Cologne (Germany) |
2000 – 2007 | Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutz AG, Cologne (Germany) |
1982 - 2000 | KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg (Germany) |
1996 – 1998 | Managing Director of KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg (Germany) |
1996 | Appointed Managing Director of KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg (Germany) |
1994 – 1996 | Member of the Executive Board of KUKA Schweißanlagen & Roboter GmbH, Augsburg (Germany) |
1991 – 1994 | Divisional Manager Robots and Control Technology at KUKA Schweißanlagen & Roboter GmbH, Augsburg (Germany) |
1982 – 1991 | Vice President Robotic Systems Division at KUKA Welding Systems & Robot Corporation, Sterling/Michigan (USA) |
1977 - 1982 | DeVlieg Machine Company, Royal Oak/Michigan (USA) |
1977 – 1982 | Electrical Engineer at DeVlieg Machine Company, Royal Oak/Michigan (USA) |
Education
1998 – 2001 | MBA program at the GSBA, Zurich (Switzerland) in collaboration with the State University of New York (USA) |
1997 – 1998 | Degree as Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at Oekreal School of Business, Zurich (Switzerland) |
1976 – 1981 | Studies of Electrical Engineering at the Lawrence Institute of Technology, Southfield/Michigan (USA) |
Other substantial activities
Since 2020 | Member of the Board of Directors of Atlas CopCo AB (listed company) in Stockholm (Sweden) (non-executive Director) |
Since 2013 | Member of the Board of Directors of Weichai Power Co., Ltd. (listed company) in Weifang (People’s Republic of China) (non-executive Director) |
Since 2010 | Member of the Executive Board of Hertie-Stiftung (non-listed foundation) in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) (executive Director) |
Dr. Eike Böhm
born 1962 in Pforzheim (Germany)
Nationality: German
Career
Since 2015 | KION Group, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
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since 2015 | Member of the Executive Board (Chief Technology Officer) of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
1988 – 2014 | Daimler AG, Stuttgart (Germany) |
2012 – 2014 | Head of global quality management for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars of Daimler AG, Sindelfingen (Germany) |
2011 – 2012 | Head of product innovation and process engineering in the central research and advanced engineering, Böblingen (Germany) |
2008 – 2011 | Board member and head of research and development at Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Tokyo (Japan) |
2005 – 2008 | Head of the Center of Competence Chassis Components Daimler Trucks at DaimlerChrysler AG, Stuttgart (Germany) |
2001 – 2005 | Head of entire vehicle development department, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles at DaimlerChrysler AG, Stuttgart (Germany) |
1998 – 2001 | Strategic project manager, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles at Daimler-Benz AG, Stuttgart (Germany) |
1994 – 1998 | Head of program management at Micro Compact Car GmbH, Renningen (Germany) |
1991 – 1994 | Team leader in the Mercedes-Benz development division “Vehicles and Traffic” division at Daimler-Benz AG, Fellbach (Germany) |
1988 – 1991 | Consultant at Daimler-Benz AG products research division, Stuttgart (Germany) |
Education
2009 | Honorary professorship at the Faculty of Automotive Engineering of the University of Esslingen in Esslingen am Neckar (Germany) |
1996 | PhD program at University of Karlsruhe in Karlsruhe (Germany) Degree: Dr. rer. pol. |
1982 – 1987 | Studies of industrial engineering at University of Karlsruhe in Karlsruhe (Germany) Degree: Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieur |
Other substantial activities
2016 - 2019 | Member of the Supervisory Board of the non-listed e.GO Mobile AG in Aachen (Germany) |
Hasan Dandashly
born 1960 in Beirut (Lebanon)
Career
Since 2018 | KION Group, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
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Since 2021 | Member of the Executive Board (President KION SCS) of KION GROUP AG (Germany) and Predident of the Operating Unit 'KION Supply Chain Solutions' (KION SCS) |
Since 2018 | President and Chief Executive Officer of Dematic Corp. (non-listed company), Atlanta/Georgia (USA) |
1998 - 2017 | General Electric, Boston/Massachusetts (USA) |
2017 | President & Chief Executive Officer Surface / Baker Hughes Integration at General Electric (GE Oil &Gas), Houston/Texas (USA) |
2014 - 2016 | President & Chief Executive Officer Downstream at General Electric (GE Oil & Gas), Houston/Texas (USA) |
2012 - 2013 | Vice President, Global Services at General Electric (GE Oil & Gas), Florence (Italy) |
2007 - 2012 | General Manager Power Generation Services at General Electric (GE Power), Dubai (UAE) |
2005 - 2006 | General Manager, Technology Development at General Electric (GE Global Research), Doha (Qatar) |
2000 - 2005 | General Manager, Train Management Systems at General Electric (GE Transportation), Melbourne/Florida (USA) |
1998 - 2000 | Software Engineering General Manager, Controls and HMI at General Electric (GE Intelligent Platforms), Charlottesville/Virginia (USA) |
1983 – 1998 | Honeywell International Inc., Morristown/New Jersey (USA) |
1993 - 1998 | Software Engineering Manager at Honeywell Industrial Automation, Phoenix/Arizona (USA) |
1989 - 1993 | Software Engineering Manager at Honeywell Avionics, Phoenix/Arizona (USA) |
1983 - 1989 | Research Engineer at Honeywell Corporate Research, Minneapolis/Minnesota (USA) |
Education
1981 – 1983 | Master Studies in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis/Minnesota (USA) Degree: Master of Science |
1978 – 1981 | Studies in Computer Science at the Lebanese American University in Beirut (Lebanon) Degree: Bachelor of Science |
Anke Groth
born 1970 in Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
Nationality: German
Career
Since 2018 | KION Group, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
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since 2018 | Member of the Executive Board (Chief Financial Officer / Labor Director) of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
2001 - 2018 | E.ON SE, Essen (Germany) |
2016 - 2018 | Chief Financial Officer of E.ON UK plc, Coventry (United Kingdom) |
2015 - 2016 | Senior Vice President Investor Relations at E.ON SE, Essen (Germany) |
2012 - 2015 | Chief Financial Officer of E.ON España S.L., Madrid (Spain) |
2007 - 2012 | Vice President Mergers & Acquisitions at E.ON AG, Düsseldorf (Germany) |
2006 - 2007 | Vice President International Management Consultancy at E.ON Ruhrgas AG, Essen (Germany) |
2001 - 2006 | Project Manager Mergers & Acquisitions at E.ON AG, Düsseldorf (Germany) |
2000 – 2001 | Vasa Energy GmbH, Hamburg (Germany) |
2000 - 2001 | Project Manager M&A, Vasa Energy GmbH, Hamburg (Germany) |
1997 – 2000 | VEW AG, Dortmund (Germany) |
1997 - 2000 | Trainee and Project Manager Corporate Development at VEW AG, Dortmund (Germany) |
Education
1991 – 1996 | Studies of Economic Science at the Universities of Dortmund and Bochum (Germany) Degree: Business Graduate |
1989 – 1991 | Professional Education at Huber GmbH, & Co.KG, Gelsenkirchen (Germany) Degree: Management Assistant in Wholesale and Foreign Trade |
Andreas Krinninger
born 1967 in Bergisch Gladbach (Germany)
Nationality: Austrian
Career
Since 2011 | KION Group, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
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Since 2021 | Member of the Executive Board (President KION ITS EMEA) of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany); Chairman of the Management Board of STILL GmbH, Hamburg (Germany) and President of the Operating Unit 'KION Industrial Trucks & Services EMEA' (KION ITS EMEA) |
since 2016 | Chairman of the Management Board of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany) |
2016 – 2020 | Member of the Global Executive Committee of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany), and President of the Operating Unit 'Linde MH EMEA' |
2018 – 2019 | Managing Director Production (acting) of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany) |
2014 – 2018 | Managing Director Finance of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany) |
2011 – 2013 | Chief Restructuring Officer of KION Group GmbH, Wiesbaden (Germany) |
2007 – 2011 | Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Inc. (KKR), New York (USA) |
2009 – 2011 | Director of KKR Capstone, London (United Kingdom) |
2007 – 2008 | Principal of KKR Capstone, London (United Kingdom) |
2005 – 2007 | Chief Supply Chain Officer & Member of the Executive Boards of GROHE AG, Düsseldorf (Germany) |
2001 – 2005 | LSG Sky Chefs, Neu-Isenburg (Germany) |
2004 – 2005 | Global Senior Vice President Product Engineering & Operational Excellence of LSG Sky Chefs, Irving/Dallas (USA) Member of the Global Executive Committee of LSG Sky Chefs, Neu-Isenburg (Germany) |
2003 – 2004 | Global Senior Vice President Operational Excellence of LSG Sky Chefs, Irving/Dallas (USA) |
1995 – 2001 | McKinsey & Company, Düsseldorf (Germany) |
1998 – 2001 | Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, Cologne (Germany) |
1998 – 2001 | Senior Associate at McKinsey & Company, Cologne (Germany) |
1993 – 1995 | Research Assistant at the Lab for Manufacturing & Productivity of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (USA) |
1991 – 1993 | Project Engineer at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Heidelberg (Germany) |
Education
1993 – 1995 | Studies of Strategic Management & Consulting at MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge (USA) Degree: Master of Science in Management |
1986 – 1991 | Studies of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen in Aachen (Germany) / MIT Lab for Manufacturing & Productivity, Cambridge (USA, 1991) Degree: Diploma in mechanical engineering |
Other substantial activities
Since 2020 | Member of the Advisory Board of the non-listed ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG in Mulfingen (Germany) |
Since 2015 | Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the non-listed Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG in Aschaffenburg (Germany) |
Since 2015 | Member of the Supervisory Board of the non-listed Schöler Fördertechnik AG in Rheinfelden (Germany) |
Ching Pong Quek
born in 1967 in Batu Pahat/Johor (Malaysia)
Nationality: Malaysian
Career
Since 2006 | KION Group, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
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since 2021 | Member of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG (President 'KION Industrial Trucks & Services Asia Pacific & Americas' (KION ITS Asia Pacific & Americas), Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
since 2020 | Chairman of the Executive Board of KION (Jinan) Forklift Co., Ltd. (non-listed company), Jinan (People’s Republic of China) |
2019 – 2021 | Member of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG (Chief Asia Pacific & Americas Officer), Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
since 2018 | Chairman of the Board of Directors of KION India Pvt Ltd. (non-listed company), Pune (India) |
since 2017 | Director of the Board of Linde Material Handling Pty Ltd. (non-listed company), Sydney (Australia) |
Since 2013 | Chairman of the board of Linde Material Handling (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (non-listed company), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) |
2013 – 2019 | Member of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG (Chief Asia Pacific Officer), Frankfurt am Main (Germany) |
2013 – 2016 | Member of the Executive Board of KION Group GmbH, Wiesbaden (Germany) |
Since 2012 | Chairman of the board of KION South Asia Pte Ltd. (non-listed company), Singapore (Singapore) |
Since 2012 | Chairman of the board of Linde Material Handling (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (non-listed company), Bangkok (Thailand) |
Since 2008 | Chairman of the board of KION ASIA HK Ltd. (non-listed company), Hongkong (People’s Republic of China) |
Since 2008 | Chairman of the Board of KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co., Ltd. (non-listed company), Jingjiang (People’s Republic of China) |
Since 2006 | Chief Executive Officer at Linde (China) Forklift Truck Corp., Ltd. (non-listed company), Xiamen (People’s Republic of China) |
Since 2006 | Chairman of the board of Linde Material Handling HK Ltd. (non-listed company), Hong Kong (People’s Republic of China) |
Since 2006 | President at Linde Material Handling Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (non-listed company), Singapore (Singapore) |
2003 - 2005 | Invensys Powerware (previously Eaton Power Quality), Singapore (Singapore) |
2003 - 2005 | President - Asia Pacific at Invensys Powerware, Singapore (Singapore) |
2004 - 2005 | Managing Director at Eaton Power Quality China, Shanghai (People’s Republic of China) |
1999 - 2003 | General Electric USA (Industrial Systems), Singapore (Singapore) |
1999 - 2003 | Managing Director – South East Asia at General Electric USA (Industrial Systems), Singapore (Singapore) |
1999 - 2003 | Executive Vice President at Fuji/GE Pte Ltd., Singapore (Singapore) |
1999 - 2002 | Executive Director at Seabanc GE Capital Sdn Bhd, Singapore (Singapore) |
1996 - 1999 | Country Manager – Malaysia, Thailand & Brunei at General Electric USA (Industrial Control Systems), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) |
1997 - 1999 | Product Leader – Asia at General Electric USA Continental Control (CCI), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) |
1994 - 1996 | Asia Area Manager – Pulp & Paper (USA/Singapore) at General Electric USA (Drive Systems Division), Salem (USA) |
1992 - 1994 | ABB Industrial & Building Systems, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) |
1993 - 1994 | Department Manager at ABB Industrial & Building Systems, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) |
1992 - 1993 | Sales Engineer / Product Specialist at ABB Industrial & Building Systems, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) |
Education
1997 – 2000 | Master Studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in Melbourne (Australia) Degree: Master of Business Administration (International Management) |
1986 – 1992 | Studies of Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Technology in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) Degree: Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
Other substantial Activities
Since 2020 | Member of the Board of Directors of Shanghai Quicktron Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (non-listed company), Shanghai (People’s Republic of China) (non-executive Director) |
Since 2019 | Member of the Board of Directors of the non-listed company Zhejiang EP Equipment Co., Ltd., Hangzhou (People’s Republic of China) (non-executive Director) |
Since 2018 | Chairman of the APAC Advisory Board of Euro Asia Consulting Co., Ltd. (non-listed company), Shanghai (People’s Republic of China) (non-executive Director) |
Since 2017 | Member of the Board of Directors of Lansing Bagnall (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. (non-listed company), Huntingwood (Australia) (non-executive Director) |
Since 2012 | Member of the Advisory Board of Fujian JULI Motor Co., Ltd. (non-listed company), Putian (People’s Republic of China) |
Additional information
Supervisory Board
Dr. Michael Macht
Chairman
Shareholder and Member of the Supervisory Board, Endurance Capital Aktiengesellschaft, Munich (Germany)
Özcan Pancarci *
Deputy chairman
Chairman of the works council of plants I & II of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany)
Chairman of the group works council of KION Group
Birgit A. Behrendt
Former Member of the extended Board of Directors (Corporate Officer), Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan (USA)
Stefan Casper *
Chairman of the works council of KION Warehouse Systems GmbH, Reutlingen (Germany)
Dr. Alexander Dibelius
Managing Partner of CVC Capital Partners (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt (Germany)
Martin Fahrendorf *
Chairman of the works council of Dematic GmbH and Dematic Services GmbH, Heusenstamm (Germany)
Jiang, Kui
President of Shandong Heavy Industry Group, Ltd., Jinan (China)
Chairman of the Asia Pacific Committee at KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
Jörg Milla *
Chairman of the works council of STILL GmbH, Hamburg (Germany)
Olaf Kunz *
Head of tariff department of the IG Metall, Coastal District, Hamburg (Germany)
Dr. Christina Reuter
Head of Central Manufacturing Engineering & Operational Excellence at Space Equipment Operations bei der Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Taufkirchen (Germany)
Hans Peter Ring
Senior Advisor, Munich (Germany)
Alexandra Schädler *
Trade union secretary of the Managing Board of IG Metall, Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
Dr. Frank Schepp *
Senior Vice President Operations Linde Aschaffenburg & Head of Production Unit Counterbalance Trucks KION, Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany)
Tan, Xuguang
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shandong Heavy Industry Group Co. Ltd., Jinan (China), and of China National Heavy-Duty Truck Group Co., Ltd., Jinan (China)
Claudia Wenzel *
Full-time works council member, HQ and plant 2 at Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg (Germany)
Xu, Ping
Partner and member of the Management Committee of King & Wood Mallesons, Peking (China)
* = as representative of the employees
Status as of: 26 January 2021
Additional Information at the Online Annual Report
Organization
Group structure
The KION Group has three segments, representing our product categories and our internal services.
The first segment – Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) – comprises the Operating Units KION ITS EMEA, KION ITS Asia Pacific, and KION ITS Americas. They are responsible for manufacturing, sales, and the service network for our brand companies Linde Material Handling, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and OM.
The second segment focuses on Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) from the KION SCS Operating Unit, which are also available to our customers through a global network. Our Dematic brand is a global leader in warehouse automation
The third segment is made up of our overarching Corporate Services. This is where we bring together our internal service units, from KION Digital, through which we are further expanding our innovative strength, to KION Group IT and KION Financial Services.
Key figures at the Online Annual Report
Corporate Governance
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG are responsible for the company in accordance with the statutory provisions for stock corporations in Germany. This also includes the obligation to act within the principles of an exacting system of corporate governance that follows recognized standards. We believe these principles are essential to the Company’s long-term success. Compliance with them also increases the trust that our investors, employees, business partners, and the public have in the management and supervision of the Company. An extensive corporate governance report is an integral element of KION GROUP AG’s annual reports.
Declaration of Conformity (the comply-or-explain statement)
Every year, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG submit their declaration of conformity (comply-or-explain statement) relating to the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code government commission pursuant to section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG). It is available for download here.
Additional Information
Declarations of Conformity (Comply-or-explain statements)
Sustainability
We are moved by sustainability.
It is our ambition to be the best at understanding our customers' requirements and to provide them with safe, efficient and innovative logistics solutions specific to their needs. A key factor to this mix is sustainable business. All of our actions are guided by environmental, social and commercial aspects. We also help our customers to implement their sustainability programs, thus ensuring that a crucial ingredient for their success is also in place.
Here to answer questions
Acting together and considering generations ahead
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The KION Group is committed to operating sustainably. We are guided by the definition in the Brundtland Report from the United Nations:
Sustainability affects all areas of our business, and the onus is on all of us to do our part. Through innovation, ideas and decisive actions, we ensure that we meet our goal of being a leader in sustainability. We have put in place a clear sustainability strategy, ambitious targets and effective measures to support us. Our annual sustainability report shows the progress we have made toward achieving our ambitions.
The KION Group and its operating units are also in regular contact with various stakeholder groups, including industry associations in which the KION Group is actively involved on sustainability issues.
The KION Group is a partner in the Blue Competence sustainability initiative. Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA German Engineering Federation, set up to promote sustainability in the industry, but also to share sustainable solutions in mechanical and plant engineering. As a partner of the initiative, the KION Group has committed to adhering to its twelve guidelines for sustainable action.
You can find out more about the twelve sustainability guidelines at
Sustainability reports
Every year, we publish information about our sustainability strategy and organization, focusing on the progress that we have made over the reporting period. The sustainability reports are part of our obligation to provide separate non-financial reports in accordance with sections 315b and 315c in conjunction with 289c to 289e of the German Commercial Code (HGB). We also provide additional information beyond what is required by law. The reports are prepared in accordance with the "GRI Standards: Core option".
Previous Sustainability Reports
Key sustainability figures
We use a wide range of relevant key figures to monitor our sustainability program, the most important of which are shown here. Detailed facts and figures on the various topics can be found in our latest sustainability report on page 2.
Sustainability ratings and sustainability indices
The KION Group’s commitment to sustainability is recognized by investors, financial institutions and rating agencies.
Here are some relevant examples.
Rating |
Scale (min. to max.) |
Score | Year |
---|---|---|---|
CDP (climate change) | D- to A | A- | 2020 |
FTSE Russell ESG Rating | 0 to 5 | 4.0 | 2020 |
ISS ESG Rating | D- to A+ | B- (Prime Status) |
2020 |
MSCI ESG Rating | CCC to AAA | A | 2020 |
S&P Global CSA | 0 to 100 | 53 | 2020 |
Sustainalytics ESG Rating | 0 to 100 | 71 | 2020 |
Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating | 100 to 0 | 24.2 | 2021 |
Vigeo Eiris ESG Rating | 0 to 100 | 45 | 2020 |
Index | Status | Inclusion |
---|---|---|
DAX® 50 ESG | Member | March 2020 |
STOXX® Europe Sustainability | Member | December 2017 |
FTSE4Good Index Series | Member | June 2019 |
Rating Organizations and Indices
CDP
CDP is a global environmental non-profit organization. Since 2002, investors have been collectively demanding through CDP more and better corporate environmental reporting. Today, over 515 investors with assets of US$ 106 trillion signed CDP’s disclosure request to better understand a company's environmental KPIs, strategies and management practices.
By reporting via CDP, the KION Group makes details of its climate protection strategies and activities public. In 2020, the KION Group improved its score and received an A- rating.
DAX® 50 ESG
The DAX® 50 ESG tracks the performance of the 50 largest, most liquid German market stocks that have comparably good performance based on Environmental, Social and Governance criteria. Further, the stocks must have passed standardized ESG screens related to Global Standards Screening, as well as the involvement in controversial weapons, tobacco production, thermal coal, nuclear power and military contracting.
FTSE4Good Index Series
FTSE Russell (the trade name of FTSE International Limited and Frank Russell Company) confirms that KION GROUP AG has been independently evaluated in keeping with FTSE4Good criteria and meets the requirements for inclusion in the FTSE4Good index series.
The FTSE4Good Index Series, developed by the global index company FTSE Group, is designed to measure the performance of companies with strong ESG (environment, social, governance) practices. The FTSE4Good indices are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and evaluate responsible funds and other products.
ISS ESG
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) is one of the world's largest service providers for responsible investing. ISS ESG, the research and rating unit for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), frequently analyses the most important stock and bond issuers.
In the 2020 rating, ISS ESG assigned a B- to the KION Group’s environmental, social and governance performance, elevating the KION Group again to prime status and including it in the top 20 percent of companies rated in the machinery sector.
S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA)
The annual S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment evaluates the sustainability practices of more than 4,700 companies worldwide and is a prerequisite for the inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The evaluation is based on financially relevant sustainability criteria.
In 2020, the KION Group received a sustainability score of 53 and is not included in the DJSI. This result places the KION Group in the 77th percentile of the companies evaluated in the industry group “IEQ Machinery and Electrical Equipment”.
MSCI ESG Rating
MSCI ESG Research provides MSCI ESG Ratings on global public and a few private companies on a scale of AAA (leader) to CCC (laggard), according to exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and the ability to manage those risks relative to peers. Learn more about MSCI ESG ratings here.
DISCLAIMER
THE USE BY KION GROUP AG OF ANY MSCI ESG RESEARCH LLC OR ITS AFFILIATES (“MSCI”) DATA, AND THE USE OF MSCI LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS OR INDEX NAMES HEREIN, DO NOT CONSTITUTE A SPONSORSHIP, ENDORSEMENT, RECOMMENDATION, OR PROMOTION OF KION GROUP AG BY MSCI. MSCI SERVICES AND DATA ARE THE PROPERTY OF MSCI OR ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ARE PROVIDED ‘AS-IS’ AND WITHOUT WARRANTY. MSCI NAMES AND LOGOS ARE TRADEMARKS OR SERVICE MARKS OF MSCI.
Sustainalytics
Sustainalytics is a global leader in ESG research and ratings. Today, Sustainalytics supports hundreds of investors worldwide who incorporate ESG insights into their investment processes. In the 2020 ESG rating, the KION Group received an overall ESG score of 71. In the ESG Risk Rating, in January 2021, the KION Group was assigned a medium risk of experiencing material financial impacts from ESG factors with a score of 24.2.
STOXX® Europe Sustainability
The STOXX Europe Sustainability Index offers a consistent, flexible and investable representation of the largest European sustainability leaders based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. With a variable number of components, the STOXX Europe Sustainability Index covers stocks from 17 European countries. The ratings are based on the research approach of Bank Sarasin, with exclusion of tobacco, adult entertainment and defense & armament.
Vigeo Eiris
Vigeo Eiris publishes ratings and opinions using a variety of scores, assessments and written research to fulfil a broad range of market needs – including the launch of ESG indices powered by Vigeo Eiris in collaboration with Euronext and/or Ethibel. In May 2020 the KION Group achieved an overall ESG score of 45. The score placed KION 4th out of 48 in Industrial Goods and Services sector in Europe.
Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations set out guidelines for greater sustainability at economic, social, and ecological level. To achieve these ambitious goals, all parts of society need to act together. To the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Companies can use the goals to guide them as they steer their activities in a more sustainable direction. As a company with operations all over the world, the KION Group wants to contribute to the achievement of these goals. To this end, we integrated and evaluated the Sustainable Development Goals when we selected and defined the relevant topics as part of our materiality assessment in 2018.
As a first step, the sustainability coordinators of all Operating Units identified the sub-goals and business themes of each Sustainable Development Goal that are relevant to KION. The aspects identified at this stage were grouped into subject areas, which were used as a starting point for the list of potentially material sustainability aspects for the KION Group.
The outcome was that seven of the 15 aspects identified were classified as material for the company. These material aspects were embedded in KION’s sustainability strategy and have guided our actions ever since, shaping our contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (see SDG table below).
Our 8 material aspects
Sustainable Development Goals contributions [See explanations to the SDGs below the table] | |
---|---|
Occupational health and safety | SDG 03 |
Climate change mitigation | SDG 07, SDG 13 |
Climate and environmentally friendly products and solutions | SDG 12, SDG 13 |
Sustainability management and stakeholder engagement | SDG 13, SDG 17 |
Safe and user-oriented products and solutions | SDG 03, SDG 12 |
Socially responsible supply chain | SDG 03, SDG 08, SDG 10, SDG 12 |
Environmentally responsible supply chain | SDG 12, SDG 13 |
Diversity and equal opportunities | SDG 07, SDG 10 |
SDG 3 - Good health and well-being
The KION Group contributes to the achievement of SDG 3 in two key areas: by implementing effective health and safety management measures in the workplace and by offering products and solutions that aim to set new standards of workplace safety and ergonomics.
Our comprehensive HSE (health, safety, environment) management ensures that our workplaces are safe and the health of our employees is safeguarded. Metrics such as the illness rate and the lost time injury frequency rate provide a transparent picture of our progress in this area and a basis for the definition of concrete targets. To promote continuous improvement, we have implemented measures that reach virtually everyone in the company – from safety reminders at the start of meetings to the promotion of safe and ergonomic workplace design, and even campaigns to raise awareness about healthy eating.
Active and passive safety systems built into Linde and STILL industrial trucks ensure maximum safety and reduce the risk of accidents. At the same time, our trucks’ decoupled operator cabs and shock-absorbing driver’s workstations are designed to offer the highest possible level of ergonomic support. Dematic’s logistics solutions use intelligent control software that helps to increase efficiency while also reducing risks and avoiding dangerous situations.
SDG 7 - Affordable and clean energy
Climate protection is a core objective of the KION Group in the environmental sphere (see also SDG 13). We are therefore working hard to reduce the company’s energy consumption systematically and we endeavor to switch to more climate-friendly energy sources where possible. In this respect, our primary focus is on electricity, the main form of energy consumed at our plants.
To the greatest possible extent, we are shifting the electricity mix of our plants toward renewable energy sources. We are also using photovoltaic technology to generate electricity, for example at our Summerville site in the US state of South Carolina and at our new plant in Pune, India.
For further information, please refer to our sustainability report (p. 33 et seq.). [pdf 3.6 MB]
SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth
Respecting human rights is a fundamental principle of our activities – all around the world and in everything we do. Minimum standards for employment apply across the entire KION Group. These standards are based on the fundamental conventions drawn up by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and cover all significant aspects of human rights. Furthermore, the KION Group is committed to paying its employees remuneration that is appropriate to the industry in the particular country and provides a living wage. In addition, the company is strongly committed to promoting health and safety in the workplace (see SDG 3).
We also expect all of our suppliers worldwide to provide safe working conditions for their employees and comply with minimum social standards. The KION Group Principles of Supplier Conduct set out clear environmental and ethical guidelines, while the KION Group Code of Compliance and our General Purchasing Conditions stipulate specific requirements and rules of conduct.
For further information, please refer to our sustainability report (p. 27 et seq. and p. 40 et seq.).
SDG 10 - Reduced inequalities
The KION Group strives to ensure the personal dignity of every individual and promotes mutual respect, regardless of characteristics such as gender, skin color, ethnic or social background, age, or religion. These principles are firmly enshrined in the minimum employment standards of the KION Group, which apply worldwide and across all Group sites. We are a global enterprise with a diverse workforce from all parts of the world. In addition to equality of opportunity and the fair treatment of all employees, the company’s understanding of diversity therefore also involves tolerance and respect for different ways of thinking. Standardized talent management processes support the elimination of diversity-related barriers to career progression.
The high standards that we apply to our own practices also shape the setup of our supply chains. We require those who want to collaborate with us to show the same level of commitment to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity, and we expect to see this reflected in their actions. For example, our suppliers are obliged to combat all forms of discrimination under the KION Group Principles of Supplier Conduct. After all, we know that our responsibility does not end at the gates of our factories.
SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production
The KION Group is a trailblazer in the field of green intralogistics. We design our products and solutions to have minimum environmental impact and maximum energy efficiency, because we want to offer our customers solutions that are not only ideally suited to their relevant area of application, but also climate-friendly, resource-efficient, and therefore cost-effective. Especially when it comes to developing sustainable drive technologies – such as lithium-ion batteries or fuel cells – we see ourselves as an industry pioneer that is making a significant contribution to the protection of our climate and the natural environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to making our products and solutions as safe and user-friendly as possible, we always keep our customers up to date about how to use our products safely (see also SDG 3).
Socially and environmentally responsible sourcing processes, including defined minimum standards for our suppliers, enhance the sustainability of our production. Our expectations and aspirations are clearly outlined in a set of concrete requirements and rules. EcoVadis assessments are used to prompt suppliers to provide information about their sustainability performance.
SDG 13 - Climate action
We support the agreements reached at the Paris Climate Change Conference, especially the objective of limiting global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Against this backdrop, we set ourselves a climate target in 2018 based on scientific research: By 2027, we want to reduce our Group’s energy-related emissions by 30 percent (reference year: 2017). Reducing our energy consumption – for example across our vehicle fleets – and using climate-friendly energy sources (see also SDG 7) are key levers we need to shift within our business to reach this climate target.
Certified lifecycle assessments of our most important products have revealed that energy and fuel consumption are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions during their use phase. Enhancing energy efficiency is therefore a priority in product development. And we are also including our supply chain in our efforts to mitigate climate change (see also SDG 12).
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals
In the KION Group, we know that it takes concerted action to effect lasting change. Close involvement of relevant stakeholders and targeted partnerships, aimed at achieving more by joining forces, therefore form a key element of our sustainability management. For instance, we support the Blue Competence sustainability initiative within the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA). And as a member of various other associations and boards, we are also involved in the development of environmental standards under schemes such as ISO, CEN, and DIN.
For further information, please refer to our sustainability report (p. 18 et seq.). [pdf 3.6 MB]
Contact
Barbara Trautmann
Senior Director Health, Safety & Environment
Phone +49 6021 99 2592
Compliance
As a company operating all around the world, we have corporate social responsibility toward our customers, employees, financial backers and the general public. This corporate social responsibility requires us to comply with all applicable laws, to respect ethical values and to act in a sustainability-oriented manner everywhere and at all times.
Code of Compliance - Additional languages
Compliance Principles
Supplier Principles
Principles for independent sales partners
Compliance Management System
Code of Compliance & Policies
The KION Group Code of Compliance (KGCC) covers all aspects of compliance that are relevant to us, and provides the framework for everyone in the Group. The KGCC applies to all sites around the world, to all business segments, and to our interactions with employees, customers, and business partners.
Compliance risk analysis
Our compliance measures are defined and prioritized on the basis of company-wide compliance risk assessments.
Compliance training
Our employees learn about the basic principles of compliance in web-based training sessions, which also raise their awareness of the specific legal risks that we face. Classroom-based training on particular compliance topics is targeted at specific groups.
Compliance contact
Our employees and third parties can contact our compliance team with any compliance-related queries.
Whistleblower system
Potential infringements of laws or of our regulations can be reported through an anonymous and confidential external whistleblower system or via internal channels.
Compliance investigations
The implementation of, and adherence to, compliance requirements is regularly audited by Group Internal Audit and monitored by Corporate Compliance and the Compliance Committee.
Compliance reporting
For the purposes of compliance reporting, a survey is regularly conducted across the entire KION Group to check whether compliance requirements are being fulfilled. The results provide the basis for the Chief Compliance Officer’s report to the Executive Board and the Chair of the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee.
Compliance communication
Employees are regularly kept up to date with compliance-relevant matters through a range of internal guidelines, training, and the KION Group social intranet.
Compliance Organization
Whistleblower System
Reliable reporting channels for internal and external interest groups help to ensure that any potential misconduct is reported, thoroughly investigated, and resolved.
The KION Group offers a variety of reporting channels to internal and external whistleblowers in order to facilitate the identification of potential compliance breaches.
If you have specific, substantiated evidence of a severe breach of the law or of other regulations at KION Group or one of our subsidiaries, or have reason to suspect that one has occurred, then you can contact the relevant compliance department using the following methods:
By email to:
com
plianc e@kiongroup.com
By post to:
KION GROUP AG
Corporate Compliance
Thea-Rasche-Strasse 8
60549 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
KION GROUP AG will follow up all tip-offs, and we guarantee the utmost confidentiality and fairness toward the whistleblower during our investigations. This also applies to any employee who may be under investigation.
Compliance Hotline (anonymous)
In addition to the contact methods mentioned above, there is also an external whistleblower hotline: