Positive business performance and acquisitions increase headcount
On 31 December 2011, the KION Group employed 21,862 people (including trainees and apprentices), roughly 62 per cent of whom worked outside Germany in 27 different countries. The number of employees a year earlier had been 19,968.
The significant increase in headcount was a result of the KION Group's strong performance and the acquisition of companies abroad. The United Kingdom and India saw particularly sharp rises owing to the acquisition of the UK dealer Linde Sterling and the establishment of Voltas Material Handling. Personnel resources were expanded in Germany and China, above all in production, to cope with increased demand. Across the Company as a whole, the number of employees increased by 9.5 per cent year on year.
Full-time equivalents | ||||
31/12/2011 |
LMH |
STILL |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Germany |
4,334 |
3,646 |
436 |
8,416 |
France |
2,234 |
902 |
107 |
3,243 |
Rest of Europe |
3,674 |
2,404 |
1 |
6,079 |
China |
2,857 |
0 |
0 |
2,857 |
Americas |
161 |
376 |
0 |
537 |
Rest of World |
578 |
0 |
152 |
730 |
Total |
13,838 |
7,328 |
696 |
21,862 |
|
|
|
|
|
31/12/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany |
3,863 |
3,642 |
395 |
7,900 |
France |
2,169 |
877 |
97 |
3,143 |
Rest of Europe |
3,074 |
2,364 |
1 |
5,439 |
China |
2,487 |
0 |
0 |
2,487 |
Americas |
153 |
351 |
0 |
504 |
Rest of World |
494 |
1 |
0 |
495 |
Total |
12,240 |
7,235 |
493 |
19,968 |
In line with the expansion in headcount during 2011, personnel expenses advanced to €1,064 million (2010: €968 million) – an increase of 9.9 per cent. The personnel expenses ratio fell again, from 27.4 per cent in 2010 to 24.3 per cent in the reporting year, owing to the increased capacity utilisation in all segments of the Group on the back of increased market demand.