KION GROUP

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• ZIKOO RoboticsstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026KION 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 AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Siemens 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.
• CapgeminiminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 April 2026KION 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.
• NVIDIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 16 March 2026NVIDIA 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.
• AccenturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 March 2026Accenture 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.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2024KION Group partnered with Eurofork S.p.A. in October 2024 for automated pallet shuttle distribution and integration, expanding automated storage solutions portfolio.
• Li-CyclestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2023KION Group and Li-Cycle formed strategic battery recycling partnership focused on circular economy for lithium-ion batteries used in electric material handling equipment.
• QuicktronminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2020KION Group and Quicktron agreed strategic partnership for warehouse robotics solutions.
• BMZ HoldingstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2019KION Group and BMZ Holding launched joint venture for lithium-ion batteries to support electrification of material handling equipment.
• Weichai PowerstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 December 2012Weichai 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/kion_group
• YouTubeyoutube.com/KIONGroupAG
• Facebookfacebook.com/kiongroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kiongroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/kiongroup
• TikToktiktok.com/@kiongroup

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KION GROUP