Linde Hydraulics and Eaton forge global alliance

Thursday, 8 Jul 2010

KION Group GmbH’s Linde Hydraulics division and US-based industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp have entered into a global strategic alliance to boost both companies’ product lines, market distribution channels and regional coverage. KION spokesman Michael Hauger tells Forkliftaction.com News that the alliance will focus on KION Group’s external non-forklift customers. "Already roughly half of Linde Hydraulics’ business is with such external customers. The alliance will significantly strengthen our hydraulics business, which is also a technological key for Linde Material Handling’s forklift business," Hauger says.

Linde Hydraulics and Eaton customers in construction, agriculture, vocational vehicles, civil engineering, processing and other industrial markets are expected to benefit from a broader product range and a denser sales and service network. Eaton will add Linde’s range of high-pressure piston pumps, motors and valves to its portfolio, while Linde will offer Eaton’s medium-pressure piston pumps.

Eaton’s hydraulics business will supply Linde Hydraulics products in North, Central and South America and in the Asia Pacific via its sales and service networks and distribution partners. Linde will provide application support, technical services and co-operation with major international customers in those regions. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, both companies’ sales organisations and distributors will continue to focus on their core businesses and mutually expanded product range.

KION Group CEO Gordon Riske says the alliance will really boost its global presence and enhance the servicing of its market and its existing portfolio. "Entering this unique and very broad global relationship will enable Linde Hydraulics to leverage its outstanding technical capabilities." William VanArsdale, president of Eaton’s hydraulics business, says the alliance is "complementary from a portfolio, market and regional perspective".
KION Group, with its Linde, STILL, OM and Baoli brands, is the world’s second-largest forklift manufacturer. It employs about 20,000 people worldwide and generated EUR3.1 billion (USD3.9 billion) in sales in 2009. Linde Hydraulics manufactures heavy-duty hydraulic drive technology and mobile electric drives. Eaton Corp, a diversified power management company, employs about 70,000 people. Its sales for 2009 totaled USD11.9 billion.