KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co.

What KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co. does

KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co., Ltd. is a material handling equipment manufacturer headquartered in Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province, China, that operates as the value/economy brand within the KION Group, complementing KION's premium Linde and STILL brands. Founded in 2009 and acquired by KION that same year, Baoli produces electric counterbalance trucks (1.5T-3.5T, including lithium-battery and lead-acid variants), internal combustion counterbalance forklifts (2.5T-10T, diesel/LPG with Weichai engines), and warehouse equipment such as electric pallet trucks and stackers. Manufacturing is conducted in KION China's integrated factories spanning 340,000 square meters with combined annual capacity of 60,000 units, including the new €100M KION Jinan smart factory (40,000-unit planned capacity) which opened in 2021. Technology centers on KION Group's self-developed three-electric system (battery, motor, controller), Weichai-engine integration for IC models, and German-engineered control systems applied at competitive Chinese manufacturing cost.

Baoli generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of forklifts and warehouse equipment, supplemented by after-sales service, spare parts, and emerging fleet-leasing arrangements. The go-to-market combines an exclusive global dealer network (country-specific distributors across 80+ countries, 70 dealers in Italy, 500+ Chinese dealer representatives) with direct enterprise sales for large accounts (e.g., 270+ units to a new energy vehicle manufacturer, 200+ units to Shanghai Huizhan, 173 units to Unicoop Tirreno). Customer segments span logistics and warehousing, manufacturing, retail, government, and emerging-market value buyers. Strategic ownership is anchored by KION Group (German, Frankfurt-listed) with Weichai Power as the largest KION shareholder at approximately 38%, providing capital backing, engine supply, and access to the Shandong Heavy Industry ecosystem. Baoli serves as the cost-effective bridge between premium European engineering and competitive Chinese manufacturing, with growing emphasis on electric and lithium-battery product lines to capture the global 'oil-to-electric' transition in material handling.

Name

KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co.

Legal name

KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co., Ltd.

Website

https://baoli-mh.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

KION Baoli is the value-brand forklift manufacturer within Germany's KION Group, producing electric and internal combustion counterbalance trucks and warehouse equipment in KION China's integrated factories and selling through a global exclusive dealer network across 80+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423810)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Forklifts & Industrial Trucks (IC & Electric) (IMAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD)

Keywords

• Material handling equipment
• Electric forklifts
• Internal combustion forklifts
• Warehouse equipment
• Counterbalance trucks

Headquarters

HQ city

Taizhou

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Forklift Truck Sales: Baoli generates primary revenue from manufacturing and selling electric counterbalance trucks, internal combustion counterbalance forklifts, and warehouse equipment (pallet trucks, stackers). Products range from 1.5T to 10T capacity and are sold through a global dealer network and direct enterprise sales.
2. After-Sales Service and Spare Parts: Revenue from after-sales service, maintenance, and spare parts supply through dealer networks. The company emphasizes professional after-sales service as a key differentiator, with dense dealer coverage ensuring timely support.
3. Fleet Leasing: Baoli offers forklift leasing options to customers, such as the arrangement with Shandong Asia Zhonghui Group, reducing customer cash flow pressure while generating recurring revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co. manufactures and sells material handling equipment under the value-oriented Baoli brand of the KION Group. Its core offerings include electric counterbalance forklifts (1.5T-3.5T, lithium and lead-acid), internal combustion counterbalance forklifts (2.5T-10T, diesel and LPG), and warehouse equipment (electric pallet trucks, stackers, and tuggers). Products are sold globally through a network of exclusive country dealers and direct enterprise sales, complemented by after-sales service, spare parts, and fleet leasing.

Product overview

KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co. operates as a value-oriented brand within the KION Group, offering a comprehensive portfolio of material handling equipment. The product lineup consists of three core categories: Electric Counterbalance Trucks (KBE series with lithium and lead-acid options from 1.5T-3.5T), Internal Combustion Counterbalance forklifts (KBG/KBD series with diesel and LPG options from 2.5T-10T), and Warehouse Equipment (KBP/ES/EP series including pallet trucks, stackers, and tuggers). Recent additions include the KBE-G1 for EMEA markets, X3/X3B lithium battery trucks, KBE-01 new generation electric platform, and specialized models for cold storage, food, automotive, and chemical industries. Baoli positions itself as the cost-effective alternative to Linde and STILL premium brands within KION Group, combining German technology with competitive Chinese manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Counterbalance Truck (KBE Series) Electric-powered counterbalance forklifts designed for indoor and outdoor material handling operations. Available in load capacities from 1.5T to 3.5T with lithium battery and lead-acid battery options. Features include the KION self-developed three-electric system (battery, motor, controller), automatic regenerative braking, side battery extraction for multi-shift productivity, and IP54-rated components. Targeted at logistics, manufacturing, cold storage, and retail operations requiring emission-free material handling.
• Internal Combustion Counterbalance Forklift (KBG/KBD Series) Diesel and LPG-powered counterbalance forklifts for heavy-duty applications. Includes models from 2.5T to 10T capacity, featuring engines from Weichai Power and Doosan, with EU5 and National Standard 3 (Euro 3 equivalent) compliance. Used for outdoor material handling in container depots, foundries, lumber yards, and heavy industrial applications. Equipped with features such as automatic transmission options and customization for harsh climate conditions.
• Warehouse Equipment (KBP/ES/EP Series) Electric pallet trucks, stackers, and warehouse handling equipment including KBP15, KBP15E, KBP-S3, ES15/ES16, EP15, and EP20-111 models, plus ET30-101 electric tuggers. Designed for confined space operations, low-to-medium intensity warehouse tasks, and material transport in manufacturing and distribution centers. Features include compact body, flexible turning, and suitability for refrigerated vehicles and elevator shafts.
• Specialized Forklifts Customized forklift solutions for specific industry applications including cold storage, food processing, automotive, chemical, and government/defense sectors. These specialized variants feature industry-specific adaptations such as IP67-rated components for sub-zero cold storage, large tires and high ground clearance for outdoor recycling facilities, and customized mast heights for container stacking operations.
• Reach Forklift (New Development) Newly developed reach forklift, independently researched, designed, and manufactured by KION, targeting reach truck applications in warehouse and distribution center operations. Showcased at LogiMAT 2026.
• Fleet Leasing Service Forklift leasing/rental service offered to enterprise customers to reduce upfront acquisition costs and cash flow pressure. Provides access to Baoli forklifts (including KBE-X3 lithium battery models) on a rental basis, with the leasing arrangement with Shandong Asia Zhonghui Group being a documented example in the feed industry.
• After-Sales Service and Spare Parts After-sales service, maintenance, and spare parts supply for Baoli forklifts, delivered through the global dealer network. Emphasized as a key differentiator with dense dealer coverage ensuring timely customer support. Includes routine maintenance, repair services, and spare parts logistics managed by the after-market team at KION Baoli.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero failures recorded over 16,000 operating hours in a flour processing customer deployment over 5+ years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered moderate and core.

• Sinotruk (中国重汽)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sinotruk's Laiwu Plant and Shandong Heavy Industry Group headquarters were visited during KION China Export Customer Open Day, inspecting heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles. The partnership facilitates KION China's overseas market collaboration through the Shandong Heavy Industry network.
• Southeast Asia Dealers (India, Malaysia, Singapore)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024KION China 2024 factory visit and Baoli Southeast Asia Dealer Summit held at KION Jinan factory with dealers from India, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries. Multiple new dealer signing ceremonies took place, strengthening Baoli's sales network in the region.
• KION Baoli EMEAcoreOthers · 1 January 2017KION Baoli EMEA was established in 2017 with headquarters in Lainate, Italy, to manage Baoli brand growth across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Guided by Giovanni Cumerlato, the organization manages a network of exclusive country distributors across the region.
• Italian Dealer NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Baoli established 70 dealers across Italy since entering in 2015, with half being exclusive Baoli agents. Dealers are distributed: 40% in northern Italy, 29% central, 31% southern Italy. NSC (Fiorano Modenese) is one notable dealer that secured a 30-unit KBE25 order from a local customer.
• Weichai Power Co. Ltd. (潍柴动力)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2012Weichai Power is KION Group's anchor investor with approximately 38% ownership stake. Weichai supplies adapted forklift engines (WP2.7, WP3.2 series) to Baoli, developed specifically for forklift use. The collaboration combines Weichai's engine expertise with Baoli's forklift manufacturing. Approximately one in seven Baoli forklifts are fitted with Weichai engines.
• Tarching Nippon (Malaysia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2012Tarching Nippon is the exclusive dealer for Baoli forklifts in Malaysia since 2012. Handles sales and service for internal combustion and electric forklifts with 1-10 tonne load capacities. Contributes about one-third of the dealer's revenue.
• KION GroupcoreOthers · 1 January 2009Baoli became a member of the KION Group in 2009. Baoli operates as KION Group's value/economy brand, benefiting from KION's technology, quality standards, R&D capabilities, and global distribution infrastructure. KION Group is the world's second-largest industrial truck and warehousing system provider, with Linde and STILL as its premium brands.
• Shandong Heavy Industry Group (山东重工集团)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKION Group and Shandong Heavy Industry Group (parent of Weichai Power) have strategic cooperation. Shandong Heavy Industry Group facilitated KION's entry into the Chinese market and the establishment of the Jinan factory. Joint participation in commercial conferences to align business strategies.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lonking Holdings: Lonking is a major Chinese construction machinery and forklift manufacturer with comparable value-segment positioning and overlapping product range in IC and electric forklifts. Both compete for similar emerging-market and domestic Chinese customers.
• Doosan Industrial Vehicle: Doosan Industrial Vehicle (now part of Doosan Enerbility/HD Hyundai group restructuring) is a Korean-origin forklift manufacturer with overlapping electric and IC product lines and global distribution, particularly strong in EMEA — directly competing with Baoli for similar customer segments.
• Anhui Heli: Anhui Heli is the largest domestic Chinese forklift OEM by volume, with a broad product portfolio spanning electric, IC, and warehouse equipment that directly overlaps Baoli's lineup. Heli's scale in China makes it the most direct domestic competitor for Baoli's core market.
• Hangcha Group: Hangcha is one of China's largest forklift manufacturers, competing head-to-head with Baoli in the value segment across electric and IC counterbalance trucks, warehouse equipment, and rough-terrain forklifts. Both target similar cost-conscious customers in domestic and emerging markets.

Broad incumbents

• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: Hyster-Yale is a global incumbent in lift trucks and warehouse equipment with the Hyster, Yale, and Nuvera brands. It competes with Baoli across IC and electric counterbalance forklifts in EMEA, Americas, and emerging markets.
• Jungheinrich: Jungheinrich is a leading European intralogistics provider and forklift manufacturer with strong presence in EMEA warehouse equipment. It competes with Baoli particularly in European warehouse trucks and electric counterbalance segments.
• Crown Equipment: Crown Equipment is a US-based privately held forklift and warehouse equipment manufacturer specializing in electric lift trucks. Crown competes with Baoli's KBP/ES/EP warehouse equipment lines globally, particularly in retail and logistics accounts.
• Toyota Material Handling: Toyota Industries' material handling division is the global #1 forklift manufacturer, offering electric, IC, and warehouse equipment across all segments. As the dominant incumbent, Toyota sets the competitive baseline Baoli must beat on quality, dealer network, and total cost of ownership.
• Linde Material Handling: Linde Material Handling is the premium brand within KION Group and Baoli's sister brand. Although they share the parent, Linde targets the premium end of the forklift market where Baoli does not compete, making Linde a 'horizontal' sibling competitor for share of group resources.
• STILL: STILL is another premium KION Group brand headquartered in Germany, focused on intralogistics and warehouse equipment in Europe. It shares parent ownership with Baoli but operates at the premium tier with overlapping product categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/baoliforkliftHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kion-baoli-jiangsu-forklift-co-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co.