Business performance

The KION Group strengthened its market position in the first half of the year by making strategic acquisitions.

On 7 May 2015, the KION Group signed an agreement with Belgian automation specialist Egemin NV to purchase its logistics automation division. Egemin Automation will be managed as the seventh brand in the KION Group and is to work closely with STILL in Europe. The division offers made-to-measure solutions for automation in warehouses, distribution centres and factories. In 2014, Egemin employed over 300 highly specialised workers and generated revenue of roughly €76 million.

Back in February, Linde Material Handling (LMH) had formed a strategic partnership with robotics specialist Balyo in order to step up its activities in the field of robot-controlled industrial trucks. LMH also acquired a 10 per cent stake in Balyo. This move is a response to the growing demand for automated industrial trucks.