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KION GROUP GmbH Harald Pinger appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of KION Group - Finance expert with extensive management experience in industry - KION Supervisory Board thanks Dr. Nedim Cen for his outstanding contribution
Wiesbaden, June 24, 2008 - Harald Pinger (48) has been appointed to the Executive Board of KION Group GmbH. He will be responsible for Finance and IT and will focus on pushing ahead with the integration of these areas within KION Group GmbH and the brand companies. On August 1, 2008, he will succeed Dr. Nedim Cen, who is leaving the KION Group at his own request in order to pursue new career challenges outside the company.
Gordon Riske commented on the appointment of Harald Pinger: "We are delighted to have secured the services of a proven financial expert with many years of operational managerial experience in industry and a track record of corporate integration. He has reshaped the finance function at quite disparate companies undergoing periods of change and led them to long-term success. He will undoubtedly be a worthy successor to Dr. Nedim Cen, whom we thank for his hard work and dedication in building up the KION Group."
The Supervisory Board of the KION Group is extremely pleased that Harald Pinger will bring to the Executive Board of the KION Group his considerable experience in the management and control of industrial companies and in dealing with the demands of the capital markets. Johannes Huth, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KION Group GmbH and head of KKR's European operations, thanked Dr. Nedim Cen for his outstanding work for the company: "Dr. Cen has played a major role in laying sound foundations for the long-term success of the KION Group. The Supervisory Board and workforce would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for his successful work on behalf of the company and its employees."
Harald Pinger commented: "I am greatly looking forward to my new role with KION. The company has set itself ambitious growth targets and KION has good prospects in a positive market environment. A thorough and efficient system of financial management will play a major part in developing the company's profile in the global market from a position of financial strength. Working with Gordon Riske and Dr. Rolf Karg, I intend to duly discharge my responsibilities towards the company's staff, customers, business partners and shareholders."
Harald Pinger was previously CEO and President of the Executive Committee of Jelmoli Holding AG in Zurich, a leading Swiss retail and real-estate group. From 2004 until 2006 he was CFO of the department store and mail-order group Karstadt Quelle AG, where he also assumed operational responsibility for the mail-order business at times. Between 2002 and 2004 he was the finance director and joint managing director of the Messer Group. From 1996 until 2002 he worked for Fresenius Medical Care and from 1987 until 1995 for Unilever in a variety of senior international management positions. Harald Pinger studied business administration, majoring in tax law and auditing, at Cologne University. He is married and has three children.
The Company
The KION Group, with its Linde, STILL and OM brands, is the market leader in material handling products in Europe and the global number two in the industry. In 2007, the KION Group had over 21,000 employees and generated revenue of more than €4.3 billion.
For further information please contact
Michael Hauger Head of Communications and Investor Relations Tel.: +49 (0)611 770 655 Email: michael.hauger@kiongroup.com
Frank Kopfinger Head of Investor Relations Tel.: +49 (0)611 770 220 Email: frank.kopfinger@kiongroup.com
