Baoli appoints new MD

Christian Bischof (pictured) has been appointed to run KION Group’s Baoli brand in the EMEA region with effect from 1st October, 2021. As Managing Director Baoli EMEA S.p.A. he succeeds Francesco Pampuri, who led the organisation on an interim basis since January 1, 2021, and will now focus on brand positioning and marketing activities of the Baoli brand in the EMEA region as Director Brand Management.

“We have a great chance to further explore the market potential in the region with Baoli. especially for the entry-level segment of the material handling market I am seeing very solid growth opportunities in the years to come,” Bischof predicts.

According to him, there are many customers who are looking for entry-level forklift trucks without a wide range of technical options. “Baoli develops and builds industrial trucks that meet precisely these customer requirements.”

To do this, the company makes use of its cost-efficient production base in China and combines this with European development and engineering expertise. “With our competence as well as our experienced international team, we want to contribute to the profitable growth of the traditional and at the same time future-oriented Baoli brand in the EMEA region.”

Christian Bischof, 42, graduated in business administration in Germany and obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the United States. Since 2009, he has worked for various companies in the KION Group on different continents. Bischof’s previous positions include Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Linde Hydraulics, Director of Strategy, Business Development and Dealer Network at KION North America and, most recently, Senior Director of Market Intelligence and Corporate Strategy at KION’s headquarters in Frankfurt am Main.

Baoli is a major manufacturer of industrial trucks from Asia with a solid and well-organised structure in Europe, the Middle East and Africa that is not only able to tap into the market but also guarantees a high quality of service. To this end, the subsidiary of the global intralogistics company KION Group has consistently expanded its range of after-sales services in recent years.

The central product and spare parts warehouse in Milan, Italy, covers an area of around 14,000 sq m with an availability of more than 300 trucks ready for delivery and a dedicated spare parts area of 11,000 sq m. The northern Italian city is also home to the Baoli EMEA headquarters.

The Baoli brand targets entry-level customer groups and offers affordable solutions for daily material handling with reliable and easy-to-use equipment. The company offers a comprehensive range of counterbalance trucks, including 3- and 4-wheel electric forklift trucks with load capacities from 1.5 to 3.5t, IC engine-powered forklift trucks from 1.5 to 10.0t, as well as a variety of warehouse equipment such as low lift and high lift pallet trucks.

In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the international player is currently active in more than 50 countries with a network of over 350 dealers and intends to greatly expand the dealer network.