Linde plans in early 2011 to disclose how its North American organisation will absorb responsibilities for the sale and distribution of products from the firm's heavy truck division, but few details are available to the public now.

"We made the overall decision and now have to finalise the organisational structure" within Linde Material Handling-North America Corp, says Detlef Sieverdingbeck, head of corporate communications with the parent firm in Aschaffenburg, Germany. "Until then, the Linde Heavy Truck Division will continue to run the business" in North America.

Francesco Chinaglia is managing director of the Linde Heavy Truck Division, and Brian Butler is president of the Summerville-based North American business unit.

Sieverdingbeck declines to elaborate or address recent industry rumours regarding certain Linde product distribution arrangements in North America. "At present, we cannot give further information," he notes. "We want to do our work quietly."

Some details may emerge during the LogiMAT trade fair in Stuttgart, Germany from 8-10 February (Forkliftaction.com News #490).

As for Linde's heavy lift equipment goals, Chinaglia says "we want to improve our market presence in North America, increase our heavy truck business" and be closer to the growing markets such as sea ports and freight terminals using cargo containers."

Sieverdingbeck says: "With the launch of new products (series 1401 and 1402), we will have good opportunities to be successful in these markets."

The new offerings will complement the existing Linde product line, he indicates.

Linde manufactures its larger products in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales and Xiamen, China. Principally, the division makes sideloaders, heavy forklift trucks and container handlers.

Linde Heavy Truck Division Ltd in Merthyr Tydfil and Linde Material Handling-North America Corp are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aschaffenburg-based Linde Material Handling GmbH within the KION Group.