Press Release
KION Group to conclude restructuring of Linde Material Handling's
container handler and heavy truck business in October 2013
 Consultation period regarding potential closure of Merthyr Tydfil site ended
 Production will cease at Merthyr Tydfil during Oct 2013
 Linde Material Handling will transfer heavy truck production
to contract manufacturing facility
 Linde Material Handling will continue to offer container handling
and heavy forklift trucks worldwide
Wiesbaden, 23 May 2013 - The KION Group, the largest pure play manufacturer of
industrial trucks in terms of revenue, today announced, following a period of consultation,
the closure of its heavy truck production facility in Merthyr Tydfil (Wales, UK) by the end
of October 2013. The reorganisation forms part of its continuing efforts to further improve
the efficiency of its European production network.
Production of the Linde Material Handling heavy forklift trucks will be mainly transferred
to a contract manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic during the coming months with
full production at the new facility timetabled for October 2013. In the area of container
handling trucks Linde Material Handling has already started a partnership with
Konecranes.
Linde Material Handling, which is wholly owned by KION Group, and its dealer network
will continue to sell a wide range of container handling products and heavy forklift trucks
to customers globally. The company will maintain the highest standards in quality, delivery,
performance and value - all standards that its customers are accustomed to.
The Merthyr Tydfil site employs 203 people in manufacturing, engineering, sales, service
and administration. The Group has agreed an appropriate loyalty and severance package
with the employees and their representatives and offers the opportunity to apply for
vacant positions at other sites to the employees affected.
KION is also committed to providing as much assistance as possible to employees
seeking alternative work or training.
The company
The KION Group - comprising the six brands Linde, STILL, Fenwick, OM STILL, Baoli