- KION Group signs a distribution agreement and a memorandum of understanding 
on plans for joint development with the Chinese manufacturer, with the aim of 
expanding the offering of mobile automation solutions 
- Intralogistics group is seeking a minority stake in the Chinese company 
- KION Group CEO Gordon Riske: "The collaboration with Quicktron is going to 
further strengthen our position in the market for automated trucks"

KION GROUP AG has entered a strategic partnership with Quicktron, a young 
Chinese manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) based in Shanghai. 

Representatives from both companies recently met in Xiamen, China, to sign a 
distribution agreement and a memorandum of understanding on their joint 
development plans. Under the agreement, and effective immediately, Quicktron 
products are to be distributed via the global sales and service networks of the 
KION brands Linde Material Handling, STILL and Dematic. The arrangement expands 
KION Group's global product offering of automated warehouse solutions. The 
leading intralogistics group also plans to acquire a minority stake of less 
than 10 percent in Quicktron. The partners have agreed not to disclose the size 
of the investment. 

"We are delighted to be forming this strategic partnership with Quicktron. We 
can offer our customers an even more extensive product range in the automated 
truck segment," said KION GROUP AG CEO, Gordon Riske, at the signing, adding, 
"The collaboration with Quicktron is expected to further strengthen our 
position in the automated truck market."

"Quicktron is a leading autonomous mobile robot manufacturer in China and has 
been growing steadily," noted Ching Pong Quek, KION GROUP AG Executive Board 
member and Chief Asia Pacific & Americas Officer. "It perfectly complements our 
skills and experience in the KION Mobile Automation business. The collaboration 
unlocks additional opportunities to participate in this global growth market 
and provides our customers with a unique product offering."

"This is a historic day for Quicktron," said Yang Wei, Quicktron CEO. "I look 
forward to our collaboration with the KION Group. It will enable us to harness 
our combined strengths to exploit market opportunities in China and around the 
world even more effectively."

Quicktron was established in Shanghai in 2014 and currently employs around 400 
individuals worldwide. It offers smart intralogistics solutions using 
technology based on artificial intelligence (AI).

The market for automated supply chain solutions is growing rapidly worldwide. 
The growth of e-commerce is a significant driver of demand for supply chain 
solutions, including warehouse automation and solutions for sorting and for 
automated goods transport. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous 
mobile robots (AMRs) will thus become increasingly common. KION Group's Mobile 
Automation business brings together all activities relating to the future trend 
of mobile automation and self-driving vehicles. Automation is one of the fields 
of action in the KION 2027 strategy. The strategy is designed to guide the 
company on a path towards profitable growth and the expansion of its position 
as an industry leader.

SOURCE  Quicktron