Having entered the Chinese market in the early 1990s, KION has grown into one of the largest foreign players in China's material handling sector. Today, the company views China not only as a key market but also as a strategic innovation partner.

FRANKFURT, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China's commitment to openness and the development of new quality productive forces is creating fresh opportunities for multinational companies such as KION Group, a leading German provider of industrial trucks and supply chain solutions, its CEO has said.

"We believe China's continued focus on green development will create an environment where international companies like KION can innovate, localize and contribute to high-quality, sustainable growth," CEO Rob Smith said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Having entered the Chinese market in the early 1990s, KION has grown into one of the largest foreign players in China's material handling sector. Today, the company views China not only as a key market but also as a strategic innovation partner.

Smith highlighted China's rapid advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics, combined with its vast consumer base and strong manufacturing and export capacity, as major drivers of demand for advanced supply chain solutions.

He identified strong potential for cooperation in areas including next-generation automation, digital twins, energy-efficient systems, smart manufacturing and AI-powered warehouse technologies, noting China's growing role in shaping the global intralogistics industry.

KION has continued to deepen its presence in China. In May 2025, it upgraded its Asia-Pacific Automation Center of Excellence in Xiamen city in east China's Fujian Province, and in October, it partnered with seven Chinese innovation-driven companies to strengthen its local ecosystem.

The company is also aligning with China's green transition. "China's commitment to sustainability closely matches KION's strategic priorities," Smith said, noting that 95 percent of forklifts sold by KION brands in China are electric, with additional offerings including hydrogen fuel cell models under its Linde MH brand.

Smith emphasized that China remains both a vital market and a key contributor to KION's global business, adding that the company will continue to expand its investment in the country.