Leaders at start of KION's new era in North America

The arrival of 2015 marks the official launch for KION North America Corp and redirection for the business previously operating as Linde Material Handling North America Corp.

Seeking to emulate its strong European presence, parent firm KION Group AG of Wiesbaden, Germany wants the Summerville-based business unit to develop and grow from its current 2% US forklift marketshare to perhaps 4% to 5% in several years.

Brian Butler is president and CEO of KION North America, now employing 140 staff. Butler serves as chairman of the Industrial Truck Association based in Washington, DC.

More than 100 KION dealership locations operate in the US, more than 20 in Canada and more than 20 in Mexico and the Caribbean region.

KION North America will continue to market forklifts under the Linde and Still brands. Currently, KION offers the Still CX-T, LTX-70, LTX-80 and R 07 models to the North American market.

During 2014, changes to external signage in Summerville began in June and were completed by October in advance of a 14 November ceremony. The event introduced KION North America to the community, underscored the business commitment to South Carolina and articulated the invigorated North American strategy for the company.