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The $40 Million Upgrade: 7 Game-Changing Facts About KION North America’s Flagship Plant 1

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KION North America’s Plant 1 in Summerville, South Carolina, is rapidly cementing its status as a critical hub in the global material handling industry, driven by a massive, multi-million dollar investment. As of today, December 24, 2025, the facility is nearing the completion of a significant expansion project designed to drastically increase local production capacity and introduce new, advanced manufacturing capabilities.

This strategic move by the German-based KION Group is not just an upgrade; it represents a major commitment to the North American market, focusing on reshoring core component manufacturing and accelerating the production of advanced industrial trucks and automation solutions. The Summerville campus, which serves as the KION North America headquarters, is transforming its operations to meet the surging demand for robust and locally-built material handling equipment (MHE).

The KION North America Summerville Campus: A Profile in Growth

The KION North America facility, often referred to simply as the Summerville plant, is the operational and administrative center for the company’s efforts across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Its history and recent developments paint a clear picture of a company investing heavily in its future regional footprint.

  • Location: Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina, USA.
  • Headquarters Status: Serves as the official headquarters for KION North America Corporation since 2015.
  • Core Function (Plant 1): Plant 1 is the primary manufacturing facility, operating on a "build-to-order" model, meaning every industrial truck is produced to a specific customer's specifications, not for general stock.
  • Annual Capacity: The production plant boasts an annual capacity of over 10,000 industrial trucks.
  • Key Brands: The facility primarily manufactures products under the globally recognized Linde Material Handling brand, a key subsidiary of the KION Group.
  • Related Facilities: The Summerville campus also includes a brand-new Aftermarket Distribution and Training Center, which allows KION NA to stock over 30,000 SKUs to enhance customer service and support.

1. The Massive $40 Million Investment and Reshoring Initiative

The single most important recent development at the Summerville Plant 1 is the estimated $40 million investment announced by the KION Group. This capital injection is a cornerstone of the company’s strategy to increase local production and cost efficiency within the North American market.

The primary goal of this expansion is a significant reshoring initiative. KION North America is bringing the manufacturing of core components back to the United States. Specifically, the company is establishing new production lines for forklift masts—the complex, critical structures that lift and lower loads. This move reduces dependency on overseas supply chains and ensures that the finished products are truly designed for and built in North America.

2. Creating 450 New Jobs in Dorchester County

The financial investment translates directly into substantial job growth for the local economy. The expansion is projected to create approximately 450 new jobs in Dorchester County, South Carolina. This commitment to job creation underscores the KION Group’s long-term belief in the region as a vital manufacturing base and strengthens South Carolina’s reputation as a growing hub for advanced industrial production.

3. Focus on North American-Specific Product Lines

Plant 1 is dedicated to producing a product portfolio tailored specifically for the unique demands of the North American supply chain and logistics sector. The facility manufactures rugged counterbalance forklifts, which are the workhorses of many warehouses and distribution centers.

While the KION Group operates a multi-brand strategy that includes STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and OM, the Summerville plant is the domestic home for the Linde Material Handling brand’s production. Models like the internal combustion Linde HT25T forklift and various electric forklift models (such as the E25C/E25CL series) are proudly designed and built in the USA at this very location.

4. Embracing Automation: Manufacturing FoxBot ATLs

The future of logistics is automation, and KION North America is positioning Plant 1 at the forefront of this trend. In a significant partnership with Fox Robotics, KION NA has taken on the role of manufacturing and assembling the advanced FoxBot autonomous trailer loader/unloaders (ATLs).

This operation highlights the plant's capability to handle not just traditional industrial trucks but also sophisticated warehouse automation and robotics solutions. The FoxBot ATLs are essential for improving efficiency and speed in the loading and unloading process, directly supporting the high-speed demands of modern e-commerce and Supply Chain Solutions.

5. A Strategic Move to Counter Global Supply Chain Instability

The decision to invest heavily in local component manufacturing, particularly for critical items like forklift masts, is a direct response to the global supply chain disruptions experienced in recent years. By increasing local content and production, KION North America ensures greater control over quality, reduces lead times for parts, and provides a more stable and reliable supply of material handling equipment to its dealers and end-users across North America.

6. The KION Group’s Global Vision and Dematic Synergy

KION North America is a key pillar of the global KION Group, which is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial trucks and a major player in warehouse automation through its subsidiary, Dematic. The efforts at Plant 1 are aligned with the group's wider strategy to shape world trade by making supply chains faster, more efficient, and smarter.

The proximity and close collaboration between KION NA and Dematic, which specializes in automated material handling systems, allows for synergistic solutions. This means KION can offer customers a comprehensive package, from the traditional forklift on the floor to fully automated storage and retrieval systems.

7. The Future: Electrification and Custom Engineering

The ongoing expansion and investment are also geared toward meeting the growing market demand for sustainable and high-performance equipment. The Summerville facility is focused on launching new and competitive electric counterbalance forklifts. As the industry shifts toward electrification to reduce emissions and operating costs, Plant 1's ability to produce these advanced electric forklift models locally gives KION a strong competitive advantage. Furthermore, the "build-to-order" approach ensures that every customer receives a highly customized and engineered solution, a level of service that defines the value proposition of the Summerville-made industrial trucks.

The $40 Million Upgrade: 7 Game-Changing Facts About KION North America’s Flagship Plant 1
kion north america plant 1
kion north america plant 1

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