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Tag: Linde MH

Forklifts Still Matter

Posted on by Peter MacLeod

As Linde MH reinvents the role of the forklift to best service a smart, automated world, Peter MacLeod spoke to two of its senior managers to scratch further below the surface.

At LogiMAT 2025, Linde Material Handling’s shift from forklift manufacturer to strategic intralogistics partner was clear. I sat down with two of its senior leaders, Ulrike Just (Executive Vice President Sales & Service, EMEA) and Torsten Rochelmeyer (Senior Director Strategy & Solution Portfolio), to explore how Linde is helping customers navigate today’s operational challenges – and to have an educated guess at what the warehouse of the future might look like.

Changing Landscape

When I visited Linde’s Aschaffenburg facility last autumn, the company had just unveiled its new three- and four-wheel electric forklift trucks up to 2.0 tonnes. While these trucks remain essential to warehouse operations, their role is evolving. At LogiMAT, forklifts were present but were not necessarily the focal point. That’s no accident, as Just explains: “Our customers aren’t just looking for equipment – they want a “sparring partner”. Someone who helps them optimise logistics processes, understands digitalisation, energy, safety, and can guide them toward automation.”
Rochelmeyer agrees: “The forklift is just one piece of the puzzle. Customers need help optimising entire systems under increasing cost pressure. That includes safety, data, and energy management.”

Linde’s shift from product supplier to holistic intralogistics advisor is deliberate. The company is leveraging its vast sales and service footprint to deliver scalable, integrated solutions across borders. “We’ve seen huge growth through our international key accounts,” says Just. “We’re unique in being able to offer customers a single point of contact for managing a global fleet. Our main competitor, Toyota, has the footprint, but we provide the network depth and advisory capabilities smaller players can’t match.”

One surprising takeaway is that many large customers don’t even know how many forklifts they operate. “We help them get control of that,” Just says. “It’s about fleet transparency and performance optimisation.”

Automation and Digitalisation

Warehousing is Linde’s fastest-growing vertical, particularly in automation. “We see major growth potential in automation, complex energy and safety solutions, and digitalisation,” says Just.
With partners Nvidia and Accenture, Linde is taking AI integration to a new level. “We’re developing physical AI for AGVs so they can react in real time. For instance, AGVs will soon be able to retrieve pallets even if they’re not perfectly placed, which will be a massive efficiency gain,” Just explains.

The second focus is a digital twin of the warehouse, created through sensors that allow for simulation and optimisation of layouts and flows before any physical changes are made. Rochelmeyer highlighted how critical this is for brownfield sites: “Not every customer is ready to invest €30 million in a new warehouse. But many can deploy five AGVs to improve one process. With Nvidia’s Omniverse, they can simulate changes in real time and test outcomes in 3D.”

Sustainability in Action

Linde’s sustainability efforts are twofold: helping customers reduce emissions, while decarbonising its own operations. Its fleet management software, myLinde, works with its connect:charger to monitor energy usage, optimise charging, and reduce carbon output. “Customers can track how much CO₂ they’re saving and report on sustainability improvements to their own stakeholders,” Rochelmeyer tells me.

Within its own facilities, Linde has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, with a 40% reduction target by 2030. This commitment was recently recognised with an EcoVadis sustainability award.
“We’ve joined the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) and have tailored decarbonisation strategies for each plant,” Just says. “That includes switching to green energy, even though it costs more, and building hydrogen infrastructure.”

Linde even powers its internal logistics with hydrogen trucks. “We have hydrogen forklifts moving masts from fabrication to assembly inside our own facility,” added Rochelmeyer.

Hydrogen: Not Yet Mainstream

Hydrogen fuel cells remain an intriguing – but not yet commercially widespread – alternative to battery electric. Linde is ready for it, though: all new forklifts are fuel-cell compatible. “Today, hydrogen demand is mostly driven by pilot projects with OEMs like BMW and Daimler,” says Rochelmeyer. “The business case isn’t quite there for broader adoption due to high infrastructure costs. But when the time comes, we’ll be ready.”

Government support and regional policy will play a key role in speeding up adoption. “Some regions are already more advanced. It’s about timing; too early and it’s costly, too late and you miss the boat,” he adds.

Forklift of the Future

What will a forklift truck look like in 2035? That depends on who you ask, but both leaders agree on one thing: the operator’s role is changing.

“There are two paths,” says Rochelmeyer. “In one, the driver becomes more like a pilot – monitoring rather than operating. Or they may be remotely controlling the vehicle from an office.”
But traditional forklifts won’t disappear. “We’re not like automotive – our sector evolves more slowly, and regional differences are big. Forklifts will still exist, just smarter, safer, and more efficient.”
Just adds with a smile: “Maybe a humanoid robot will replace the driver. You never know.”

Turning Data into Operational Gold

At the core of Linde’s digital push is its new customer portal, myLinde. “It’s more than fleet management, it’s a central cloud platform where customers can track safety, energy, and usage data,” explains Rochelmeyer.

This transparency opens up new optimisation paths: smarter routing, predictive maintenance, energy cost reduction, even fewer trucks. “It’s not about steel and iron anymore. It’s about data.”
Linde Material Handling may still be synonymous with forklifts, but it’s rapidly becoming known for its digital and automation expertise. Whether customers are trying to reduce their energy bills, optimise brownfield processes, or simulate a new warehouse in the metaverse, Linde is positioning itself not just as a supplier, but as a strategic global logistics partner for a fast-changing world.

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AI for Real-time Control of Industrial Trucks

Posted on by David Priestman

In the future, warehouse managers will increasingly be able to rely on artificial intelligence (AI) when it comes to optimizing material flow processes, incluidng real-time contraol of industrial trucks. At its tech showcase at the LogiMAT trade fair in Stuttgart, Linde Material Handling (MH) will demonstrate how this product vision works and is gradually becoming reality. The solution is based on NVIDIA’s powerful Omniverse AI platform, which uses a digital twin to collect, process and analyze vast amounts of data from warehouse operations in real time. This initiative aligns with Linde MH’s parent company, the KION Group, which recently announced a large-scale collaboration with NVIDIA, a leader in AI, and Accenture, an expert in digitalization, to take industrial automation to a new level.

In an area adjacent to Linde MH’s exhibition stand, a scenario will be staged that could be typical of the warehouse of the future – manual and automated industrial trucks working side by side in perfect harmony with the help of innovative AI technology. This development will be particularly advantageous for operators of large fleets. The integration of intelligent hardware and software, combined with substantial computing power, will guarantee transparency of every process within the warehouse, ensuring more efficient, reliable and flexible order processing through continuous simulation. “Machine learning and neural networks will enhance warehouse efficiency. Throughput will increase, both manual and automated fleets can be optimized and staff can be deployed more efficiently. This will lead to significant cost savings for companies,” says Ulrike Just, Member of the Management Board responsible for Linde MH Sales & Service EMEA. “As a technology and innovation leader in our industry, we are at the forefront of developing AI-based solutions. These solutions represent a significant breakthrough, aiming to enhance our customers’ competitiveness and ensure the long-term efficiency of their material flows. We are planning initial pilot projects with major customers, for whom the return on the investments involved will be particularly high.”

Real-time localization creates transparency

The first step in Linde MH’s strategy is to network manual industrial trucks. To this end, the intralogistics specialist is currently developing a real-time localization system that works both inside and outside the warehouse. It enables seamless tracking of each vehicle’s location using innovative, low-infrastructure ultra-wideband technology. An intelligent display provides drivers with navigation instructions and new or updated transport orders, with the system combining location data with vehicle data such as the steering angle. This allows routes to be adjusted in real time if, for example, there is too much traffic on a route, causing delays.

At some point, AI becomes indispensable

As warehouse operations become more complex, the optimization of routes and coordination of manual and automated industrial trucks places much higher demands on computing power. “When there are 100 or more vehicles to coordinate, it’s essential to utilize higher-level intelligence and hardware capable of handling such extensive data volumes,” explains Ron Winkler, Managing Director of the Digital Business Unit at Linde MH. “This is where the NVIDIA Omniverse platform’s AI comes in. It creates a digital twin of the warehouse, a virtual 1:1 replica of the physical environment.” In this digital twin, simulations can be run in fractions of a second – either to optimize routes and optimally coordinate AMRs and manual forklifts, or to achieve optimizations in existing warehouse layouts.

The key advantage is that solutions to changing warehouse conditions, such as new orders or inventory fluctuations, traffic congestion in certain warehouse areas, obstacles or overhanging loads, can be identified in real time, simulated in the digital twin and communicated back to the vehicle control system. For instance, if a truck arrives late, the system can automatically assign the nearest forklift equipped for unloading. To achieve this, the NVIDIA Omniverse platform digitally stores all physical data on industrial trucks (e.g., engine power, steering angle) and infrastructure (e.g., rack locations, routes, machine times). This virtual space then processes the constant stream of information coming from sensors, intelligent vehicle and infrastructure cameras, warehouse management software and vehicle control systems.

Simulation is the key

Intelligent camera systems, strategically installed throughout the warehouse infrastructure and on both manual and automated vehicles are used to track load carriers, AMRs and manual vehicles. They also provide real-time monitoring of loading and storage areas. The images captured by these systems are then interpreted and processed directly by the AI.

The showcase at Linde’s stand will demonstrate this in practice: A forklift driver transports goods to the receiving area using a Linde electric forklift. In the designated transfer area, a fully automated Linde pallet stacker then picks up the pallet for further transport into the warehouse. To seamlessly document and track materials and goods on the Omniverse platform, the manual truck’s mobile, intelligent camera automatically takes a picture of the load when the pallet is picked up and stores it in the system. Concurrently, the camera captures the entire environment, identifying people and obstacles and instantly adapting the vehicle’s behavior to the situation. The stationary cameras in the warehouse provide the system with information about the occupancy of the storage locations, while also detecting potential collisions with people, which would cause the trucks to reduce speed.

However, what if the forklift driver does not place the pallet precisely on the specified surface, as an AGV typically requires? Via the stationary cameras, the digital twin recognizes the pallet’s placement and directs the picking order to the Linde L-MATIC core. Thanks to the intelligent camera on the fully automated AGV, the AI detects the tilted pallet and determines a solution – in this case, the best approach to picking up the load. The cameras also identify problems such as cartons slipping or part of the load overhanging. In such cases, the AI concludes that the AGV should not pick up the load. The Linde L-MATIC core would halt and be reassigned to another transport order. Meanwhile, the AI calculates which manual guided vehicle is nearby to take over the transport task.

“By configuring a digital warehouse twin, any conceivable infrastructure and fleet configuration can be simulated in 3D and tested for efficiency,” explains Ron Winkler. “The AI can be continuously trained and refined. This sets the stage for a warehouse ecosystem that proactively solves challenges and keeps getting better and better.”

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New Forklift Benchmark

Posted on by David Priestman

Linde MH has launched new trucks into the popular one-to-two tonne sector. Peter MacLeod reports from their launch at Linde’s impressive Aschaffenburg factory.

Towards the end of last year, Linde Material Handling (MH) invited the world’s media to the launch of its two- and three-wheeled electric counterbalanced trucks with load capacities up to two tonnes. The significance of this product range is that it is the world’s most specified capacity so it was vital for Linde to get it spot-on. And did they? Well, don’t take my word for it, because I am not
a trained, professional forklift operator with a degree in engineering. Sure, I was extremely impressed by the many bells and whistles, the build quality, the electronic mastery contained within, and the manufacturing excellence on display during our tour of the Aschaffenburg facility, and I’m a sucker for laser light shows and dry ice – not to mention the demonstration of acrobatic trampolining that preceded the official unveiling.

No, you have to take Theo Egberts’ word for it, because Theo is Europe’s most knowledgeable and widely respected independent forklift expert, a function he performs as the official IFOY Award
tester. Read this article in the knowledge that the Linde’s collective enthusiasm for its new baby – spoiler alert – has been overwhelmingly endorsed by Theo, as he explains at the end.

Best Seller

Visit any warehouse anywhere in the world and you’re likely to see a three- or four-wheeled electric forklift with a capacity of up to two tonnes in operation. They are the staple of any high-capacity warehouse facility. If the colour doesn’t automatically give the game away, then look closer at the manufacturer, and that’s quite likely to be a Linde (or one of its sister brands), as they are among largest players in this market.

Linde MH has now replaced its existing range of electric forklifts with 26 new three- and four-wheel truck variants with load capacities ranging from one to two tonnes. According to Linde, they are designed to offer significant enhancements in ergonomics and performance above their predecessors and competitors. The nature of the operations in which they are specified means that this class of truck often work with loads at the maximum load limit, operate in confined spaces, or contend with challenging environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, dust and dirt.

The new trucks meet a wide range of customer requirements, and come with a choice between integrated lithium-ion and lead acid batteries. The vehicles have been designed to be tailored to
provide optimised performance for their intended use, and feature an ergonomic workplace that was ably demonstrated to us by Tomas, a literally enormous – 204cm tall, size 54 boots – German forklift operator from one of Linde’s nearby customers who smoothly entered, operated, and left the cabin as nimbly as would a man half his size.

“Linde MH is once again setting the benchmark for this crucial industrial truck sector,” says Torsten Rochelmeyer, Senior Director Strategy & Solution Portfolio at Linde Material Handling. “Thanks to new technologies and optimised vehicle design, we can now meet our customers’ demands for high-performance, energy-efficient, comfortable and safe vehicles even better than before.”

Two Versions: Xi and E

The latest 12 models in the Linde Xi range feature an integrated lithium-ion battery and offer “unparalleled performance and an extended range of applications”, according to Linde. An additional 14 variants upgrade the existing standard electric forklifts, the Linde E14 to E20, with load capacities of 1.4 to 2.0 tonnes and a trough battery. Operators have the option to switch between lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries according to the plug-and-play principle or continue using existing batteries. Furthermore, the E-models have been designed to accommodate fuel cell technology.

The Linde Xi10 to Xi20 models have seen a notable increase in efficiency in everyday use, largely due to the combination of a 90V lithium-ion battery and a synchronous reluctance motor. The truck can reach 20km/h in minimal time and, says Linde, offers lifting and lowering speeds up to 20% higher than the average for competitor trucks. A corresponding thermal management system ensures that the full motor power is consistently available, even under heavy loads and in continuous operation. “In terms of performance, the new forklifts represent a considerable improvement
over previous models and also clearly raise the bar in comparison to the competition,” added Rochelmeyer.

Driver-Focused

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to fill vacancies in logistics and warehousing,” says Rochelmeyer, describing the growing shortage of personnel in this area. “The new Linde electric forklifts are therefore a real advantage for human resources managers in their efforts to recruit and retain employees. The spacious workplace delivers on its promise: Our development engineers have designed these vehicles with the specific needs of the truck drivers in mind and created a product that will optimally support them.”

This is evident in the Linde Xi10 – Xi20 trucks, where the integrated lithium-ion battery provides the engineers with additional flexibility. As a result, the entry step is significantly larger and lower, and the footwell is approximately 30% larger than is typical in this vehicle class, providing additional space for movement. Furthermore, all electric truck versions offer additional headroom versus their IC counterparts, as graphically demonstrated by Tomas, our lofty Teutonic friend.

Adjustable heating vents positioned around the driver’s workplace and a 60% improvement in heating performance compared to previous models create a comfortable climate in the cabin, even when operating outside in cold temperatures. For high temperatures, the forklifts can be equipped with an optional aircon system. Its integration into the driver’s overhead guard is an industry first,
Linde tells us.

Another significant contributor to comfort is the damping and decoupling technology integrated into the axles and lift mast. These effectively reduce shocks and human vibrations, thereby ensuring the operators physical comfort. The standard 3.5-inch display and the optional 7-inch display provide the driver with a comprehensive range of information and offer similar levels of experience as when driving a passenger car.

Intelligent Forklifts
Intelligent Forklifts

Linde says the list of optional extras includes another industry-wide unique selling point, the Linde Steer Control. Optionally, a mini-wheel or a joystick can be fitted instead of the classic steering wheel. With the left arm resting on the armrest, drivers can steer the trucks with minimal movements using only their fingers.

Focus on Safety

An increasing number of forklift functions, available either as standard or optional features, ensure a high level of protection for drivers and their working environment. The standard Linde Load Assist system automatically adjusts lifting and tilting functions according to the weight of the load and lifting height to prevent tipping accidents. Should the vehicle be fitted with a cabin, electronic safety belt monitoring can be integrated with a door monitoring system. Through software configuration, the service technician can determine whether the seat belt must be worn even when the door is closed or if it is sufficient for the driver to either close the door or fasten the seat belt.

The new Linde Reverse Assist Radar is designed to detect both moving and static objects behind the truck and, in the event of potential danger, will rapidly apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Finally, the AIbased safety assistance systems Linde Reverse Assist Camera and Front Assist Camera help to ensure accident-free logistics. The camera systems integrated into the vehicle display are capable of distinguishing between people and objects and can actively intervene by reducing the speed of the truck in the event of danger.

Theo’s View

So, that’s just about everything I know about Linde’s sparkling new line-up. What does the true expert, the man who has spent a career testing and benchmarking every new truck against its competitors, Buro Andersom’s Theo Egberts think?

“The impression is that it’s very spacious, yet very compact,” he says. Having tested both the Linde 20P 4-wheeler and the xi16 3-wheeler, he adds: “Both trucks are best-in-class (1-2t range), with
the highest productivity in the Andersom test. No truck has ever before been that productive – it’s a new benchmark. Normally a compact truck is defined by a large battery and no footplate to step
on/off. With an integrated battery, you don’t get this compromise. The battery isn’t so big, but that’s not a problem as it can be opportunity charged.

“In our test protocol, we noted that the large battery (there are three battery options – small, medium and large) is large enough to have a practical working shift for eight hours. Of the three drive modes, ‘performance’ gave us the highest benchmark we have ever seen. On ‘efficiency’, the performance is still very, very fast. Even on the lowest setting, ‘economy’, the truck performs above average on our test.”

So there you have it. Independently endorsed as best in class, these new Linde trucks have been exceptionally well designed to meet the needs of this popular yet demanding market sector.

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Innovative Vehicles, Automation and Software at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

Once again this year, the eye-catching Linde Material Handling stand in Hall 10 at LogiMAT will feature numerous products and solutions making their debut at the trade fair in Stuttgart. These include the Linde E and Xi electric counterbalanced trucks with a load capacity of up to 2 tons. With a total of 26 models, these trucks offer state-of-the-art performance and ergonomics. The exhibition also highlights the company’s commitment to automation. This year, the solution provider is again significantly expanding its portfolio with a total of five new Linde MATIC models. The MATIC:move software, which has been designed to facilitate the planning, commissioning, maintenance and servicing of automated vehicles, will also be on display. Last but not least, the cloud-based myLinde customer portal will go live in time for LogiMAT. This portal offers a comprehensive suite of software solutions, including the Linde connect fleet management system, the Linde Safety Guard assistance system and the battery charge management application Linde connect:charger, all accessible through a single interface for seamless management and control.

The centrally located stand in Hall 10, which has grown to 612 square meters (stand numbers B21, B17 and C38), is complemented by two additional outdoor areas that have become well established in recent years and are directly adjacent to the hall. In the loading yard between Halls 8 and 10, just a few steps away, visitors can test various forklift models for themselves and receive individual demonstrations. This year, the focus will be on the new three- and four-wheel electric forklifts. Another “touch and feel” exhibition area for the vehicles, complete with expert advice, is located in the exhibition park between Halls 9 and 10.

“These three exhibition areas offer visitors the opportunity to obtain comprehensive information and advice on what Linde MH has to offer. Throughout the event, experts will be on hand to answer questions and discuss solutions to intralogistics challenges,” says Dr. Monika Laurent-Junge, Senior Director Marketing and Brand Communications at Linde MH. ”Linde MH covers the entire spectrum, from manual to automated industrial trucks, software solutions and product-related services. Other focus topics include safety and energy solutions.”

The new Linde E and Xi electric counterbalanced forklift trucks, with load capacities ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 tons, are the focus of the exhibition and set a new standard in the industry in terms of performance, ergonomics and compact design. The wide range of models ensures that there is a perfect match for a wide range of customer requirements. The Linde Xi10 to Xi20 models feature an integrated 90-volt lithium-ion battery and a synchronous reluctance motor for high acceleration and fast lifting/lowering speeds. The Linde E14 to E20 models offer versatility, allowing operators to switch between lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries or continue to use existing batteries using the plug-and-play principle.

“The demand for automated solutions from Linde MH has increased significantly over the past year. New truck models and the MATIC:move software make it even easier and more cost-effective to get started with automation. At the same time, Linde MH also offers options for mapping complex material flow processes. LogiMAT is an ideal opportunity for professionals responsible for automation initiatives in companies to explore the comprehensive range of Linde MH products and services at the company’s stand,” says Torsten Rochelmeyer, Senior Director Strategy & Solution Portfolio at Linde MH, inviting trade visitors to drop by.

The number of software solutions that fleet managers can use to improve safety in the workplace, make administration, control and maintenance more efficient, or optimize battery charge management is also increasing. In the future, it will be possible to manage all these processes via a single application. “With ‘myLinde’, we offer a comprehensive suite of solutions from a single source, streamlining administration for our customers,” says Torsten Rochelmeyer.

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