Linde-Xiamen Forklift Truck Co Ltd, Linde AG's Chinese manufacturing base, will establish a research centre to develop new technology and introduce new products from Europe.

Founded 10 years ago, Linde-Xiamen exported 3,500 forklifts and earned USD450 million this year, a Xinhua News Agency report said.

Linde had equipped the manufacturing facility with advanced production lines and its products were equivalent in quality to Europe's, the report said.

Linde-Xiamen's annual sales soared to 4,000 trucks in 2002, compared to little more than 100 10 years ago. Over the decade, Linde-Xiamen has produced 22,000 forklifts.