KION Group celebrates 10 years of the Stříbro plant: From the start of production to a smart factory

When the foundation stone for the Stříbro plant was laid in 2015, it was more than just a construction project. Strategically located on the D5 motorway and not far from Pilsen, it was already clear at that time that this would not simply be a production facility – Stříbro was to become a future-oriented location.

Production picked up speed shortly after the opening. With the first series models – including the BR1121 and BR5190 series – a new chapter began for KION in Czechia. This meant that the plant was not just a construction project, but a functioning part of the international KION network. The combination of modern technology and a dedicated team shaped everyday life in Stříbro from the very beginning.

In the years that followed, Stříbro gradually developed into what it is today: a state-of-the-art smart factory. Robots weld and paint, while digital systems control warehouse and logistics flows. Today, the plant is largely paperless, and with up to 22,000 vehicles produced per year, Stříbro is one of the most modern KION locations worldwide. Reach trucks and high-lift trucks are manufactured here – reliably, precisely, and in large quantities.

The team is the driving force behind this development. “Our employees are the biggest factor in our success,” says plant manager Michal Kříž. From the very beginning, it was their ideas, passion, and commitment that made Stříbro what it is today. Many of them have been there since the early days. Their performance is evident not only in the halls, but also in the awards: in recent years, the KION Group in Czechia has been named one of the country's best employers several times.

Today, the Stříbro plant is part of a network of four KION locations in Czechia, together with Český Krumlov, Velké Bílovice, and another plant in Stříbro for Dematic. Český Krumlov manufactures steering axles and electric and hydrostatic drive axles for the various KION brands. Velké Bílovice is home to a large industrial refurbishment center, which is currently expanding its capacity to 6,000 units per year—an important step toward achieving the KION Group's long-term climate goals. There is also another plant in Stříbro, which is operated by Dematic. It produces conveyor technology, pouch systems, and multishuttle solutions that are used worldwide in automated warehouse logistics. Together, they have been the backbone of the KION Group's European and global production for over 30 years.

The anniversary is not an end point, but another important milestone in the history of the site. With new automation projects, consistently sustainable production processes, and a strong team at its side, Stříbro is well equipped for the years ahead. The site will continue to set standards in the future – as an innovative plant that successfully combines tradition and progress and sustainably strengthens the KION Group's competitiveness in Europe.