At KION Battery Systems, we focus on drive technologies of tomorrow. By manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, sustainability is our DNA. And energy efficiency the source for our new, innovative products. Lithium-ion batteries have a bright future ahead, yet they already are a very attractive and cost-effective option in all areas where industrial trucks are used, especially where facilities operate an intensive shift schedule. Within the framework of the holistic approach of the circular economy, we also offer batteries a second chance at live.

Established in 2019 as a joint venture of the KION Group and BMZ, KION Battery Systems is a rather young company. The production lines in the modern 4,000m² factory building in Karlstein am Main, Germany, are capable of manufacturing more than 12,000 batteries a year, mainly for heavy-duty and high-performance forklifts and other industrial trucks made by the KION Group brand companies.

In addition to the production of li-ion batteries, refurbishment and new technologies also play a crucial part.

Even though our world resolves around batteries, it is the people behind a company that shape the environment in which innovation emerges. The company benefits from the long-standing and extensive know-how of the leading steering team.

When it comes to batteries, the essential is invisible to the eye initially. Yet, it is the heart of our batteries that really make a difference. As a modular approach, our products are a serial connection of several cells is pressed together with monitoring electronics and fused in steel housing. Moreover, they guarantee high performance even at lowest temperatures and extremely high-quality standards for endless applications.

Besides, due to safety concepts including the Nail Safety Device and the Safety Vent, batteries by KION Battery Systems meet the most demanding safety requirements. Further, our products offer optimum heat dissipation at the built-in main fuse and a general life cycle of more than 10 years.

At KION Battery Systems, it’s the three ‘P’ that matter: people, planet, and profitability. This mantra guides us not only through our product development approaches and the way we design, test, and produce our batteries, but also when it comes to creating our teams. We offer modern, airy offices, the possibility to work remotely and an open-minded, agile working atmosphere with a great team spirit.

Yasemin Sanli’s journey at KION Battery Systems started with an internship she completed during her master studies of industrial engineering. After that she joined the research and development team to tackle her thesis – and dive deeper into the myths of batteries and logistics. “Logistics in general has taken on a new significance in the past years and has been put into the spotlight”, says Yasemin Sanli. “In this context, batteries represent a key technology for future-proof, reliable supply chains which is why I am taking a great interest in this subject here at KBS.”

Regarding her daily tasks, she has already received great appreciation also as a young colleague who is still in training and has been able to demonstrate her skills in several projects in close collaboration with BMZ. This allowed her to gain a wide range of insights into other areas as well. Currently, she collects information for her master thesis on the topic of modular battery systems – with great help of her boss at R&D. “Across all departments everyone is really supportive and helps me in any way they can to finish my thesis, I really feel in good hands here.”

Tobias Barbier has an impressive career path to show: he started out as an operator at joint venture partner BMZ and quickly became production coordinator compiling work instructions and taking care of the labels. When he switched to KION Battery Systems, he moved to production setter taking on more responsibility of the staff. “I really like working so closely together with people in this rather technical environment and at the same time it is really satisfying to feel that your work has a real impact, literally in the form of a fully assembled battery”, says Tobias Barbier. And he does not rest on his laurels: currently, he completes a training as industrial foreman.

For him, KBS offers the unique opportunity to grow together with the company. This means that hierarchies are extremely flat, and he is able to directly represent his team and its visions to the board. “The combination of the longstanding know-how located at BMZ and the young spirit at KION Battery Systems provides a great working environment – and on top of that, batteries are the future.” For his personal future, he wishes to further deepen his knowledge on the subject and to continue to be a highly appreciated trustee for his team.

With an intensive background in mechanical engineering, Dr. Deborah Schmidt had a great foundation to build on when she joined KION Battery Systems in December 2020 as project leader research and development lithium-ion batteries. Then, she had just finished her dissertation on internal combustion engines at the technical university Darmstadt, located just 40 kilometers from the KBS headquarters in Karlstein am Main. This in-depth knowledge helped her to quickly dive deep into the subject and familiarize herself with every aspect revolving around batteries.

“The process of developing lithium-ion batteries and the technology that accompanies this process have an enormous potential for the future which is why I am very keen to streamline these developments here at KBS”, says Dr. Deborah Schmidt. As a team leader since January 2022, leading a team of seven, her responsibilities include ensuring the entire development process from concept studies to production readiness as well as the coordination of the project teams. Her motivation: to foster a creative work environment that challenges her colleagues to develop new approaches in this fascinating field and guarantee a dynamic growth process that further evolve the battery business at KBS.