Hi Lindeman and Alan M,

Bean counters putting the slide rule over Linde's UK operations, if true, is hardly surprising. Alas, a search at companies house will not throw much light at present because the 2006 annual accounts for Linde's biggest UK subsidiary, Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd, will not be filed until about the end of October. Their annual accounts for the five years of 2001 to 2005, however, make grim reading. In 2005 they lost £2.1m and in 2002 £17.4m while combined profits for the other three years were a derisory £2.2m, according to the Plimsoll report on the UK forklift industry.

Private equity moguls like KKR, part owner of Kion, would see their sobriquet of barbarians at the gate somewhat tarnished if they failed to weild their swords.