Faces of KION: 20 Years of History

What do you particularly appreciate about KION?

KION is very people-oriented and always looks out for its employees.

Can you still remember your first day at KION?

To be honest, so many years have passed that some of the details have faded a bit. But I still remember my first impression clearly: it was thoroughly positive.

People were friendly, and right from the start I sensed a strong team spirit and a high level of professionalism.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

My first project was the SRM project for Taishan Fiberglass.

What makes KION an employer where you’d like to stay for the long term?

KION offers a well-established corporate platform combined with a pleasant work environment. I particularly appreciate the opportunities to continuously learn and develop professionally.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

My advice would be to continuously focus on building job-specific skills, to approach your tasks with a down-to-earth attitude and a sense of responsibility, and to always make a positive contribution to the company. At the same time, you should remain open to new experiences and actively shape your own professional development.

What do you particularly appreciate about KION?

I appreciate KION’s corporate culture, its development philosophy based on continuous innovation and technological breakthroughs, its rigorous and standardized management processes and systems, and its commitment to valuing and fostering talent – all of which provide me with a platform for continuous professional growth.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

Baoli F-Series internal combustion forklifts.

What makes KION an employer where you want to stay for the long term?

KION offers its employees a platform for continuous growth and career advancement, and it also stands out for its tolerance of mistakes.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

I would tell my younger self: Don’t shy away from challenges; approach things in a practical and goal-oriented way; keep learning; don’t be afraid to make mistakes; and be open to reflection and growth.

I’d like to convey to the next generation how important it is to take responsibility, maintain a spirit of hard work and perseverance, act in a practical and consistent manner, always remain humble and grateful, and make steady progress step by step.

Is there an experience, a project, or even an encounter from your time at KION so far that will always stay with you?

What impressed me the most was the SAP system go-live project., with the new system, we had to review large amounts of data and optimize processes. The team members worked on this every day. Through continuous testing, troubleshooting, and optimizing the system and processes, I gained valuable experience that has had a lasting impact on me.

What do you particularly appreciate about KION?

I greatly appreciate the diversity at KION. Collaborating with colleagues from different levels, functional areas, regions, cultures, and technology fields broadens one’s horizons, fosters innovation, and makes the work both challenging and exciting.

Can you still remember your first day at KION?

I still remember my first day very vividly. I had graduated the Friday before, and I started at KION the very next Monday. The weather was perfect, the sky was bright blue, and I was full of anticipation. Starting at a company that I had long admired and where I was determined to work felt like a dream come true.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

In 1994, I was working in Belgium as a PLC software developer and was immediately sent to France for my first international project. At “Manufacture Vosgienne de Meubles” in Mattaincourt, the project involved implementing a material-handling solution. That was the start of many more and increasingly larger projects that followed in Mattaincourt.

What makes KION an employer you want to stay with long-term?

Every day, I’m inspired anew by being part of a leading technology company where innovation, quality, and market opportunities come together. The opportunity to help shape KION’s development, drive growth, and create real added value keeps me motivated and allows me to do my work with passion.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

What I’d tell my younger self: Dare to think bigger. Caution can be valuable, but too much caution can slow progress and leave opportunities untapped.

What I’d pass on to the next generation: Don’t overcomplicate your career path at KION. Give it your all every day, collaborate with others openly and trustingly, and share both the challenges and the successes. If you do that, new opportunities will often arise exactly when you least expect them.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

I began my career at KION in the “Automated Guided Vehicle Systems” division. That’s where I gained my first experience in the field of automated intralogistics.

What makes KION an employer where you want to stay for the long term?

What makes KION special to me is its clear focus on providing our customers with real operational value. It motivates me to work on solutions that address our customers’ specific challenges and improve their processes in a sustainable way.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

I would advise my younger self to continuously build up in-depth expertise in intralogistics and warehouse automation. Especially in a rapidly evolving industry, knowledge and professional expertise are crucial. Ultimately, that’s exactly the added value you can offer your customers. So, to the next generation, I would say: Stay curious, continually expand your expertise, and try to truly understand your customers’ challenges.

Do you still remember your first day at KION?

Yes, I have very fond memories of my first day. I remember being warmly welcomed by the team and feeling right from the start that my role and responsibilities were clearly defined. That combination made me feel supported, confident, and excited too start contributing.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

One of my first projects was creating the user manuals for RapidPICK2 Operator Manuals, for pick-to-light software solutions. I developed customer-specific versions of the manuals, each reflecting the configurations and customizations implemented for the respective system.

What makes KION an employer you want to stay with long-term?

The company’s stability and strength – and definitely the people. Collaborating with great colleagues and working together on exciting projects make KION an employer where I’m happy to stay for the long haul.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

Get involved, network, stay curious, and invest in yourself. Be open to new opportunities above all, take pride in doing good work.

What do you think makes KION a great company?

For me, KION stands above all for products of the highest quality and for a commitment to continuous development and innovation.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

was responsible for the preliminary development of the bulletproof glass roofs that are now used in large numbers across many vehicle series – that is, driver protection roofs without the usual, obtrusive metal struts. That was a very interesting project, especially because we worked closely with many external suppliers and testing laboratories, as well as with numerous internal colleagues. Of course, it’s especially rewarding to see that the development ultimately proved so successful.

What makes KION an employer where you’d like to stay for the long term?

Logistics is a growth market that constantly demands new solutions and innovations. At the same time, KION is an adaptable company that isn’t afraid of high-tech – quite the opposite: we want to actively shape technological developments. A good example of this, in my view, is the RoCaP project, through which we’re bringing Physical AI to customers and thereby addressing one of the industry’s major core challenges.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

Get out there and visit the customers! Innovation doesn’t happen from behind a desk. Innovation only works in collaboration with the customer – when you truly understand their challenges and develop solutions together.

Is there an experience, a project, or an encounter from your time at KION so far that you’ll always remember?

I’ll always remember the initial stages of the project with our pilot customer ROSSMANN as part of the RoCaP project. I was particularly impressed by the trust shown by Hendrik van Duuren, ROSSMANN’s logistics managing director.

Although RoCaP was still in an early stage of development at the time, ROSSMANN committed to the project as a co-development partner and placed an order for two vehicles early on. Together, we made significant advancements in the technology and are now preparing to deliver the first vehicles. For me, this is a powerful example of what’s possible when customers and development partners work together on innovations.

Do you still remember your first day on the job at KION?

Yes, I remember it very well. When I started my apprenticeship back then, I was overwhelmed by the size of the plant grounds. Looking back on it today, it’s impressive to see just how much the plant has grown over the years.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

After my apprenticeship, I was assigned to the R50/R06 production line. I worked there for many years and was able to gain extensive experience.

What makes KION an employer where you’d like to stay for the long term?

Since I’ve been with STILL for 45 years now, the company must have done a lot of things right – otherwise, many employees, like me, wouldn’t have stayed this long. Length of service at STILL is generally very high, which, in my opinion, says a lot about the company.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

For me, STILL is a company where you can stay from your apprenticeship all the way through retirement. If you want to advance your career and achieve more, you’ll receive support – for example, through continuing education and additional training. At the same time, the doors are open if you want to contribute your own ideas or drive innovation. You should take advantage of that and have the courage to seize your opportunities.

Is there an experience, a project, or an encounter from your time at KION so far that you’ll always remember?

Oh, in 45 years, quite a lot has happened, of course. I especially remember the past few years when I was able to participate in the unveilings of new vehicles here at the plant. During those events, I had the opportunity to present the new equipment to our customers and our sales representatives. Those were always special moments that I look back on fondly.

What do you think makes KION a great company?

For me, what sets KION apart above all is the strong sense of camaraderie. We treat each other as equals, support one another, and interact with respect. This allows us to successfully overcome challenges together.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

My first assignment during my training was in a production-related area of materials planning. Together with my training supervisor, I worked on optimizing C-part management at the STILL plant in Hamburg. This gave me early insights into production processes and the importance of a reliable supply of materials.

What makes KION an employer where you’d like to stay for the long term?

KION offers me a wide range of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Since completing my apprenticeship, I’ve consistently been able to explore new areas of responsibility and actively shape my own development. I particularly appreciate that the company encourages initiative – for example, by giving me the opportunity to combine my part-time degree program with my work at KION.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

Take advantage of the opportunities offered to you, network, and be open to new experiences. Show initiative and seek feedback regularly. And above all: Find a role that you’re passionate about. Your path doesn’t always have to be a straight line – detours can also lead to valuable experiences.

Is there an experience, a project, or an encounter at KION that you’ll always remember?

There are many formative experiences: from the forklift construction seminar and forklift certification during my apprenticeship to the YoPoNet and KION Explore programs, as well as numerous business trips, customer projects, and trade shows like CeMAT and LogiMAT.

I especially remember the international projects, direct customer contact, and, of course, the special STILL Spirit.

What makes KION a great company in your opinion?

The people! Together, we get a lot done. And no matter who you talk to – everyone is willing to help. We all want to keep improving together and make a difference. In the spirit of KION.

What was the first product or project you worked on?

During my apprenticeship, it was various parts and components – depending on the department – that I got to know as part of my comprehensive training program. I really started working independently after I was hired full-time. My first product of my own was the R20 counterbalanced forklift, which I worked on in the assembly department.

What makes KION an employer where you’d like to stay for the long term?

The scale.

The people.

The opportunities.

KION offers a large and diverse environment where you can grow, gain new experiences, and explore different paths. At the same time, it’s the people and the sense of camaraderie that make all the difference for me.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you pass on to the next generation?

Seize your opportunities. Be proactive. And if you perform well, forge your own path! It’s worth taking on responsibility, being open to new opportunities, and having the confidence to try something new. You have to recognize your own opportunities – and then seize them.

Is there an experience, a project, or an encounter from your time at KION so far that you’ll always remember?

One project that particularly stands out in my memory was the certification preparations for the German STILL plants. The Geisa, Dinklage, Reutlingen, and Wörth sites were prepared for their initial certification in the areas of occupational safety, environmental protection, and energy management. I was particularly impressed by the diversity of the sites and their people – and at the same time, by their shared determination to learn from one another and improve. We were united by a common goal: successful certification. And we achieved it on the first try at all locations.