A handle on the future

Linde Material Handling is a leader in its industry. Abigail Saltmarsh finds out more about its most recent products and its plans to increase its global footprint.

Linde Material Handling already ranks among the world’s foremost makers of lift trucks and warehouse trucks but the drive to remain ahead will see no let-up. Dr Ralf Dingeldein, vice-president of new trucks, and Detlef Sieverdingbeck, head of corporate communications, say that there is still huge potential for growth within the industry and that Linde Material Handling is in a prime position to make the most of that.

“We are number two in the world but we consider ourselves to be the leaders in innovation and technology,” said Dr Dingeldein. “In the last few years we have increased our global footprint and through the continued introduction of new products, as well as tailor-made solutions, we are ready to see even more success in emerging markets, such as China, Asia and South America.”

Increasing capacity

Headquartered in Aschaffenburg, Germany, Linde Material Handling is also a major manufacturer of hydrostatic drives, produced mainly for use in construction, farming and forest machinery as well as in the Linde range of lift trucks. It has sites in Aschaffenburg, Aschaffenburg-Nilkheim, Weilbach and Kahl, in Germany, as well as in Cenon-sur-Vienne, France, and Merthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom. Lift trucks specifically designed for the US market are produced at Linde Lift Truck Corporation in Summerville, USA, and the company has a plant in Xiamen, China.

“We are the largest non-Chinese manufacturer of forklift trucks in China. We see strong market development in Asia as a whole and so have invested heavily there to increase our capacity,” said Mr Sieverdingbeck.

“Places such as Russia and South America will also be important to us. We have recently acquired a dealership in Russia (Liftec), which has been exclusively responsible for sales and support for Linde products in Russia to date. But Europe remains our stronghold and we have increased our capacity here as well.”

A leading innovator

Continuing the development of innovative products also remains at the heart of Linde Material Handling. Recent launches include the new heavy truck series Linde H100 to H180, which has lifting capacities from 10 to 18 tonnes, as well as improved service access.

The new series also has an additional model variant (H100 with 10 tonnes of lifting capacity and a load centre of 1200 mm), a larger integrated CAN-based operator display (including load weight, fuel consumption, fuel tank level and operating status) and roller-mounted forks and universal fork carriers as well as optional step-lighting.

This year has also seen the launch of a new E series at Linde. The company began to produce E-forklifts at the beginning of the 1970s, and since then, its range has expanded considerably.

Award-winning

The new Linde E20–E50 series continues to set the benchmark. Indeed, the panel from the MM Maschinenmarkt magazine, which is published by Vogel Business Verlag in Würzburg, Germany, awarded the company the MM Logistik award in the

category of industrial trucks/technology on the first evening of CeMAT 2011.

Dr Dingeldein said: “The new electric forklift truck series features over a dozen technical innovations that aim to lower energy consumption and increase productivity and the safety and comfort of the driver. Our customers are also able to choose between 19 different standard models available in short, long, tall and flat designs, and will receive a truck ideally suited to their application.”

Improving performance

The technical innovations featured in the electric forklift trucks include the first standard traction control system for forklift trucks, the ability to adjust the power individually via three different operating modes and a parking brake that applies automatically so that the truck is able to stop safely on ramps. There is also a newly developed armrest with incremental adjustment (both horizontal and vertical), a comfortable seat with optional air suspension, a front axle and mast that are uncoupled through spring oscillation on the drive axle suspension and a remaining travel time indicator in minutes, as well as active ventilation during battery charging.

“We are very focused on sustainability and being environmentally friendly – it is part of our very DNA,” he said. “This is a key part of our overall aim, to improve performance for our customers. This means giving them products that are versatile, robust and userfriendly – and have high levels of performance and lower levels of fuel consumption.”

Continued success

Demand for these types of machines is only likely to continue to grow, he went on. Sales are strong to customers across all industries, from automotive and construction to general industry. The expansion of the logistics industry is also benefitting Linde.

“I do think we will see a substantial consolidation of our industry,” said Dr Dingeldein. “What is also interesting to see is that new players are emerging, which I think highlights the general attractiveness of the industry as well.”

And Mr Sieverdingbeck added: “Our strategy is for international growth and to build on what we have achieved in recent years. We want to increase our global footprint, continue to launch innovative new products and to expand customer services, fleet management services, as well as in the area of leasing new and used vehicles.

Dr Dingeldein added: “We want to remain a leader and to be the most successful brand in our market.” n