Linde Cup National Finals- Champion. Click for larger image.

June 24, Xiamen - the National Finals of the Linde Cup China Forklift Skill Competition were successfully held at headquarters of Linde (China) Forklift Truck. The Linde Cup China Forklift Skill Competition was jointly held by Linde (China) Forklift Truck, China Federation of Industry & Commerce (CFIC), China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP) and China Industrial Truck Association (CITA).

In 2007, Linde Cup was dubbed the "Olympic Gala of China Logistics Industry". Compared to 2007, the second competition covered more than 28 cities across China in 2011, more than 800 companies and 1,500 contestants. Xiamen Mayor, some VIPs from associations and nearly 50 journalists participated in this event. After several months of qualification laps nationwide, 28 winning teams made it into the national finals. All participants came from well-known companies such as Benz, Bombardier, Yili and Walmart.

CP Quek, CEO of Linde (China) Forklift Truck Corp., Ltd., welcomed all the guests. He said: "I hope that all of you will see how Linde (China) Forklift Truck is able to provide high quality products and services by seeing our lean supermarket factory, and experience our company culture as well as the charm of German technology in action. I hope all the contestants will use their skills to promote more efficient logistics." Then, officials from Xiamen Government listed Linde's achievement and contribution to Xiamen's industrial economic development in the past 18 years. After that, Zhang Jie from CITA also shared the update of forklift truck industry and congratulation to Linde (China) Forklift Truck for being the top supplier among foreign brands and among electric forklifts in China. A customer representative from Beijing Benz Automotive noted in his speech: "Besides of providing high quality products and comprehensive services, Linde (China) Forklift Truck provides a good platform for forklift truck drivers."

Kick-off by Xiamen Mayor and VIPs. Click for larger image.

At the ceremony, the VIP guests kicked off the games. The grand red ball with a Linde Cup logo was launched to bring good luck to all contestants. The teams from Benz and Walmart gave a lively forklift truck show which saw the Linde forklifts pouring champagne and opening beer bottles.

Like the regional finals, the national finals include two exciting competition programs - handling pallets around obstacles, and handling colourful balls to show teamwork. These programs are designed to test contestants' speed, safety, accuracy and team work. After four hours of competition, an award ceremony saw the winners of Linde Cup China Forklift Truck Skill Competition recognised.

In the ceremony, Zhou Linyan, vice chairman of China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, presented the awards and delivered a speech. She said: "Forklift trucks as materials handling equipment play an important role in Logistics. And the aim of China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing is to help the development of China Logistics industry. The association is glad to see that skills and efficiency of operators would make a progress by holding such a competition."

Linde forklifts pouring champagne by Benz. Click for larger image. Handling pallets around obstacles. Click for larger image.

Finally, the top three teams of this competition are:

1. Xiamen International Airport Air Cargo Terminal
2. China Merchants Logistics (Shenzhen), Intex Industries (Xiamen)
3. Beijing Benz Automotive, Sichuan Wuliangyue Push Group, Walmart China

In the women's contests, the winners were:

1. Amway (China) (Woman)
2. Beijing Benz Automotive (Woman)
3. Shanghai Behr Thermal Systems (Woman)

The following teams were also recognised for their special efforts:

• Best Cheerleading Team and Best Teamwork Team: Beijing Benz Automotive
• Best Safety Award: Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation
• Best Costume Award: Black & Decker (Suzhou)
• Best Slogan Award: Amway (China)
• Best Group Team: Xiamen International Airport Air Cargo Terminal

The winning team of Xiamen International Airport Air Cargo Terminal will eventually represent China at the international competition in Germany on September this year.

For more information about Linde (China) Forklift Truck, please visit the website at www.linde-china.com.

Linde (China) Forklift Truck Corp., Ltd. Headquarter
Add.: No. 89 Jinshang Road,
Xiamen 361009 P.R. China
Tel.: 0592-5533800
E-mail: media@linde-china.com
Web.: www.linde-china.com