Quicktron CEO Yang Wei (left) and KION's Ching Pong Quek (right)

KION Group has entered a strategic partnership with Quicktron, a Chinese manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) based in Shanghai.

KION also plans to acquire a minority stake of less than 10% in Quicktron. The partners have agreed not to disclose the size of the investment.

Representatives from both companies recently met in Xiamen, China to sign a distribution agreement as well as a memorandum of understanding on their joint development plans. Under the agreement, Quicktron products will be distributed via the global sales and service networks of KION's Linde Material Handling, STILL and Dematic brands.

The arrangement expands KION's global product offering of automated warehouse solutions.

"We are delighted to be forming this strategic partnership with Quicktron. We can offer our customers an even more extensive product range in the automated truck segment," says KION CEO Gordon Riske. "The collaboration with Quicktron is expected to further strengthen our position in the automated truck market."

According to Ching Pong Quek, KION executive board member and chief Asia Pacific & Americas officer, Quicktron complements the skills and experience in the KION Mobile Automation business.

"The collaboration unlocks additional opportunities to participate in this global growth market and provides our customers with a unique product offering."

Quicktron was established in Shanghai in 2014 and currently employs around 400 individuals worldwide.