Dr. Mohsen Sohi is the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG. The internationally experienced chief executive succeeds Hans Peter Ring who retired after his term expired with effect from the end of the Annual General Meeting.
2025-05-27
Dr. Sohi, born in 1959, is currently CEO of Freudenberg SE and Spokesman of the Board of Management of Freudenberg & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft and has extensive experience in the management of internationally oriented companies. Previously, Dr. Sohi was President and CEO of Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership in Plymouth, Michigan (USA) and held multiple senior executive positions at NCR Corporation and Honeywell.
The terms of office of Supervisory Board members Jiang Kui, Dr. Christina Reuter and Xu Ping ended on 27 May 2025. Jiang Kui has been elected for a further term. In addition, Dr. Nicolas Peter resigned from his office as a member of the Supervisory Board. The appointment of Dr. Sun Shaojun has been confirmed by the vote of the shareholders.
New candidates Sherry A. Aaholm, previously Chief Digital Officer at Cummins Inc. and Chief Information Officer at FedEx Services, Zhang Xiaomei, Deputy Director Legal and Compliance at Weichai Power and Peter Kameritsch, CFO at MTU Aero Engines AG, have been elected, the latter taking over the chairmanship of the Audit Committee.
“These elections ensure the Supervisory Board continues to constructively support the strategic direction of the company on its way to successfully implementing its resilient growth strategy in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty,” said Hans Peter Ring.
Smith looked back on the 2024 financial year, which the KION Group closed with strong results. With regards to macroeconomic volatility and trade conflicts he added: “Our Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions segments drive our growth with their in-depth knowledge of regional and local markets. We produce local for local and local for global close to our customers in every region – and are therefore well prepared for shifting geopolitical scenarios.”
In his speech, CEO Rob Smith said KION continues to consequently implement its strategy and is increasing the innovative strength, accelerating product development, and leveraging new technologies such as AI for its customers: “KION shapes global trade—globally, regionally, and locally. Even in times of uncertainty, we are at the heart of the world's supply chains. We ensure that supply chains reach their full potential: fast, efficient, intelligent, sustainable, and resilient.”
Around 120 shareholders represented more than 80 percent of the share capital at the Annual General Meeting. During the Annual General Meeting, the majority of shareholders approved all of the proposals put forward by the Supervisory Board and Executive Board, including the dividend distribution of € 0.82 per share (previous year: € 0.70 per share), which corresponds to a payout ratio of around 30 percent.
KION’s Supervisory Board has extended the contract of Chief People and Sustainability Officer Valeria Gargiulo until April 2030. “With Valeria Gargiulo's continued leadership, KION reinforces its commitment to our employees and to a sustainable future. Building on KION’s People’s and Sustainability Agenda, she will continue the path set to strengthen trustful relationships with our social partners and to sharpen our company’s sustainability profile by turning our commitments into positive impact,” said Hans Peter Ring, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Valeria Gargiulo’s responsibilities at KION include Group-wide HR, Health & Safety, and Sustainability. As CPSO, she focusses on attracting and intensively developing talent around the globe, equipping internal teams with all the necessary skills, and further advancing an inclusive culture that elevates people’s engagement and unlocks their long-term potential.
Further information on the Annual General Meeting and all voting results can be found here:
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