The Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG has extended the term of Chief Financial Officer Christian Harm until July 2029, a decision framed as critical for maintaining executive continuity and strengthening the financial organization of the global supply chain solutions provider. The extension ensures Harm, an executive with over 20 years of experience at KION and its predecessor Linde AG, will continue leading financial strategy through a period of persistent macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges.
Mohsen Sohi, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated that since taking office in July 2023, Harm has successfully steered KION's financial organization to a higher level, contributing significantly to the company's resilient development during volatile years. Sohi emphasized that Harm's deep knowledge of capital markets will ensure continuity and maintain trustful relationships with key stakeholders. This move signals to investors and the market that KION prioritizes stable, experienced financial leadership as it navigates uncertain global conditions.
Christian Harm's career at KION includes pivotal roles in major corporate milestones. He played a crucial part in strategic projects such as KION's Initial Public Offering in 2013 and the acquisition of Dematic in 2016. His internal trajectory saw him lead procurement from 2006 to 2012, head the strategy department until 2018, serve as Executive Vice President Finance and Operations for the Linde Material Handling brand in 2019, and hold the position of Executive Vice President Finance for KION Industrial Trucks & Services in the EMEA region from 2021 until his CFO appointment. His early career included roles at Unilever and McKinsey & Company before joining Linde AG in 2003.
The decision carries weight given KION's substantial market position. The MDAX-listed group is the largest manufacturer of industrial trucks in the EMEA region by units sold in 2023. Based on 2023 revenue, KION is the leading overseas manufacturer in China and the third-largest supplier there overall. In the warehouse automation market, KION is the world's leading provider by 2023 revenue. The company, which shapes global trade through efficient, smart, and sustainable supply chain solutions including industrial trucks, integrated automation, AI-based solutions, and software, reported revenue of approximately EUR 11.5 billion in the 2024 financial year. At the end of 2024, more than 1.9 million KION industrial trucks were in use across six continents, supported by over 42,000 employees.
For business and technology leaders, this extension underscores the importance of financial stewardship and strategic continuity in capital-intensive, global industrial technology sectors. In an industry where supply chain efficiency, automation, and AI integration are critical competitive differentiators, consistent financial leadership can support long-term R&D investment, strategic acquisitions, and market expansion. The move suggests KION's board is confident in Harm's ability to manage financial operations through cycles of volatility while supporting the company's technological ambitions in automation and AI. Stakeholders can access up-to-date image material via the company's image database and further media information on the corporate media website.
