KION GROUP
KION GROUP AG is a Frankfurt-listed intralogistics company selling industrial trucks, warehouse automation, and AI-enabled supply chain solutions across 100+ countries through its Linde, STILL, Dematic, and Baoli brands.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersFrankfurt, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What KION GROUP does
KION GROUP AG is a Frankfurt-listed public intralogistics company operating across two segments: Industrial Trucks & Services (Linde, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, Voltas brands for forklifts and warehouse equipment) and Intelligent Automation Solutions (Dematic for warehouse automation, AS/RS, conveyor and robotic systems). The company generated €11.3 billion in FY2025 revenue with 41,974 employees and an installed base of over 2 million industrial trucks across more than 100 countries, making it the largest manufacturer in EMEA by units sold and the world's leading warehouse automation provider by 2024 revenue.
KION's core technology combines industrial truck hardware with integrated automation, AI-based solutions, software platforms, and digital twin technology. Notable technical capabilities include the Siemens Digital Twin Composer (first European deployment), physical AI applications built with NVIDIA Omniverse and Accenture, AI-driven autonomous industrial trucks piloted with GXO Logistics, and predictive analytics for supply chain execution. Supporting infrastructure includes KION Battery Systems (lithium-ion and fuel cell production) and a highly automated spare parts distribution center opened in Kahl am Main in 2025.
The business model blends one-time hardware revenue (forklift sales, enterprise warehouse automation projects under the Dematic brand), recurring aftermarket service contracts (maintenance, spare parts, fleet management), and software subscriptions for connected trucks and automation systems. Distribution operates through regional dealer networks (Linde MH in Europe and North America) and direct enterprise sales (Dematic for large-scale automation projects). Key customers include DHL, Amazon, GXO Logistics, Americold, ZKW, and Landmark Group. Recent strategic priorities center on AI partnerships (Siemens, NVIDIA, Accenture), a 35% equity investment in ZIKOO Robotics, and a €150 million annual cost efficiency program.
KION GROUP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KION GROUP
- Legal name
- KION GROUP AG
- Website
- https://kiongroup.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- KION GROUP AG is a Frankfurt-listed intralogistics company selling industrial trucks, warehouse automation, and AI-enabled supply chain solutions across 100+ countries through its Linde, STILL, Dematic, and Baoli brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where KION GROUP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frankfurt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
KION GROUP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industrial Trucks & Services: KION manufactures and sells industrial trucks including electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts under Linde and STILL brands. Revenue from trucks is supplemented by service contracts and aftermarket parts.
- Intelligent Automation Solutions (Supply Chain Solutions): KION's Dematic brand provides warehouse automation solutions including automated guided vehicles, robotic systems, conveyor systems, and automated storage and retrieval systems. Revenue includes project-based system sales and ongoing software/services.
- Service Business: Service revenue includes maintenance, spare parts, fleet management, and software subscriptions for connected trucks and automation systems.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
KION GROUP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KION Group manufactures and sells industrial trucks (forklifts) under the Linde, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and Voltas brands, including electric, diesel, and LPG-powered counterbalance trucks and warehouse equipment. Through its Dematic brand, KION provides integrated warehouse automation and supply chain solutions, including automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), conveyor systems, robotic systems, automated guided vehicles, and AI-based software for intelligent warehouse operations. The company serves enterprise customers in e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, logistics, and cold chain sectors globally across over 100 countries.
Product overview
KION GROUP is a global intralogistics company offering an integrated portfolio of industrial trucks and warehouse automation solutions. The company's product ecosystem is organized into two main segments: Industrial Trucks & Services (featuring Linde Material Handling, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and Voltas brands for forklifts and warehouse equipment) and Intelligent Automation Solutions (centered on Dematic for warehouse automation systems). Supporting offerings include KION Battery Systems for lithium-ion and fuel cell technologies, and KION Warehouse Systems for automated storage solutions. The company is transforming from a traditional forklift manufacturer into a comprehensive intralogistics and warehouse automation platform, integrating hardware brands with software, AI, and digital twin technologies to offer end-to-end automated fulfillment solutions. KION's brands collectively serve e-commerce, manufacturing, retail, and logistics sectors across over 100 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Linde: Premium industrial trucks and material handling equipment brand
- STILL
- Dematic
- Baoli
- KION 2027
- KION Battery Systems
- KION Warehouse Systems
Products and services
- Linde Material Handling Premium industrial truck brand offering electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts and warehouse equipment. Provides industrial lift trucks for lifting, transporting, and stacking loads in warehouses, factories, and logistics hubs, with electric counterbalance models featuring zero local emissions and quiet operation. Distributed through regional dealer networks in Europe and North America and via direct sales across North America.
- STILL Industrial Trucks and Warehouse Equipment Brand specializing in warehouse equipment including reach trucks, pallet jacks, and automated guided vehicles for material handling operations across Europe and globally. Includes STILL OPX iGo neo (IFOY Telematics Award 2020) for picking performance.
- Dematic Warehouse Automation and Supply Chain Solutions Warehouse automation and supply chain solutions brand offering automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), conveyor systems, robotic systems, automated guided vehicles, and software for intelligent warehouse operations. Deployed at major customers including DHL, Amazon, GXO Logistics, Americold, and Landmark Group.
- Baoli Industrial Trucks Value-focused material handling equipment brand serving cost-conscious market segments with industrial trucks and warehouse equipment.
- Fenwick Material Handling Equipment French material handling equipment brand offering industrial trucks and related products for the European market.
- Voltas Material Handling Equipment Indian material handling equipment brand acquired by KION in 2012, serving the Indian market and surrounding regions with industrial trucks and warehouse equipment.
- KION Battery Systems (Lithium-Ion and Fuel Cell Batteries) Internal battery systems division developing and producing lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks (including the integrated battery for the Linde 1251 Xi truck) and fuel cell systems for industrial trucks.
- KION Warehouse Systems Warehouse systems and solutions brand providing automated storage and retrieval systems and related intralogistics technologies for modern warehouses.
Quantifiable outcome
- KION deployed 200 autonomous robots to DHL e-commerce hubs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use KION GROUP
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
KION GROUP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability8 records
Feature4 records
KION GROUP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.
- ZIKOO RoboticsstrategicKION announced strategic equity investment of 35% in ZIKOO Robotics, a leading provider of pallet storage robotics based in China. ZIKOO offers six-way shuttles, omnidirectional stacker robots, and integrated software platform. The investment marks a significant step in KION's strategy to build an ecosystem of automation technology partners.
- Siemens AGcoreSiemens and KION entered strategic partnership to digitalize complex intralogistics processes using AI, automation, and digital twin technologies. KION is the first company in Europe to deploy Siemens' Digital Twin Composer software, enabling real-time process simulations and end-to-end optimization of warehouse operations. The collaboration includes exchange of selected industrial data to accelerate AI-enabled solutions deployment.
- CapgeminiminorKION partnered with Capgemini to develop comprehensive roadmap for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, backed by Science Based Targets initiative. Collaboration involved creating data management processes and conducting workshops with over 30 key suppliers across 14 high-emission categories.
- NVIDIAcoreNVIDIA partnered with KION Group and Accenture for AI-powered warehouse automation, digital twins, and perception technology. KION showcased physical AI bringing real-time data into real-world warehouse performance at GTC 2026 conference. The collaboration aims to move AI innovation from simulation into real-world supply chain operations.
- AccenturecoreAccenture collaborates with KION and NVIDIA on AI-powered robots and digital twins for supply chain optimization. GXO Logistics pilot deployment in Épinoy, France demonstrated AI-driven autonomous industrial truck with measurable improvements in cost-savings, productivity, scalability, and safety.
- Eurofork S.p.A.minorKION Group partnered with Eurofork S.p.A. in October 2024 for automated pallet shuttle distribution and integration, expanding automated storage solutions portfolio.
- Li-CyclestrategicKION Group and Li-Cycle formed strategic battery recycling partnership focused on circular economy for lithium-ion batteries used in electric material handling equipment.
- QuicktronminorKION Group and Quicktron agreed strategic partnership for warehouse robotics solutions.
- BMZ HoldingstrategicKION Group and BMZ Holding launched joint venture for lithium-ion batteries to support electrification of material handling equipment.
- Weichai PowerstrategicWeichai Power and KION Group successfully closed transaction to form long-term strategic partnership, strengthening collaboration in the Chinese market for material handling equipment.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights7 records
KION GROUP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Toyota Industries (Material Handling): Toyota Industries' Material Handling Group is the world's largest forklift manufacturer (Toyota, Raymond, Cesab brands) and competes directly with KION's Linde, STILL, and Baoli brands across counterbalance trucks, warehouse equipment, and aftermarket services.
- Jungheinrich: German intralogistics peer operating in forklifts, warehouse equipment, and automated storage systems. Jungheinrich is the most direct head-to-head competitor in European counterbalance trucks and warehouse automation, with overlapping customer base and product range.
- Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: US-listed manufacturer of lift trucks under Hyster and Yale brands, plus Bolzoni attachments and Nuvera fuel cells. Direct competitor in industrial trucks and warehouse equipment globally, with similar product portfolio and dealer distribution model.
- Mitsubishi Logisnext: Japan-headquartered material handling group formed from the integration of Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift, UniCarriers, and other brands. Competes with KION in forklifts, warehouse trucks, and increasingly in warehouse automation solutions across global markets.
- Daifuku: Japan's leading material handling systems integrator with strong North American presence. Direct competitor in warehouse automation, AS/RS, conveyor systems, and AGVs — overlapping with KION/Dematic across large enterprise projects in e-commerce and manufacturing.
- KNAPP: Austrian family-owned intralogistics specialist offering shuttle-based AS/RS, pharmaceutical logistics, and omnichannel fulfillment solutions. Direct competitor to Dematic in European and North American warehouse automation projects.
- Murata Machinery: Japan-based manufacturer of material handling systems, automated warehouses, and textile machinery. Competes with KION/Dematic in AS/RS and conveyor-based warehouse automation, with strong presence in semiconductor and electronics logistics.
Emerging players
- Symbotic: AI-driven warehouse automation company listed in the US, deploying robotic systems for Walmart and other large retailers. Competes with Dematic in next-generation automated fulfillment, particularly in North American e-commerce and grocery segments.
- AutoStore: Norwegian-listed cube storage automation pioneer offering high-density automated storage and retrieval solutions. Competes with Dematic's AS/RS portfolio in micro-fulfillment and e-commerce applications globally.
Broad incumbents
- Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell's warehouse automation division offers integrated conveyor, sortation, robotic, and AS/RS solutions for distribution and fulfillment. Competitor to Dematic within Honeywell's broader industrial software/process controls portfolio — typically larger-scale enterprise deployments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KION GROUP social profiles
Digital presenceKION GROUP compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
KION GROUP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KION GROUP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
KION GROUP subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
KION GROUP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KION GROUP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KION GROUP
What does KION GROUP do?
KION Group manufactures and sells industrial trucks (forklifts) under the Linde, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and Voltas brands, including electric, diesel, and LPG-powered counterbalance trucks and warehouse equipment. Through its Dematic brand, KION provides integrated warehouse automation and supply chain solutions, including automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), conveyor systems, robotic systems, automated guided vehicles, and AI-based software for intelligent warehouse operations. The company serves enterprise customers in e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, logistics, and cold chain sectors globally across over 100 countries.
Is KION GROUP a public or private company?
KION GROUP is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was KION GROUP founded?
KION GROUP was founded in 2006. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is KION GROUP based?
KION GROUP is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does KION GROUP make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Industrial Trucks & Services are the primary driver. The others are intelligent Automation Solutions (Supply Chain Solutions) and service Business.
Who are KION GROUP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Toyota Industries (Material Handling), Jungheinrich, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Mitsubishi Logisnext, Daifuku, KNAPP and Murata Machinery. Emerging players are Symbotic and AutoStore. Honeywell Intelligrated is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does KION GROUP have an API?
No public API is recorded for KION GROUP.