Linde Material Handling has extended CEO Sabine Neuss' contract until the end of 2020. Ms Neuss will continue to be responsible for production at Linde Material Handling's plants across Europe and head up the further development of production systems at all KION Group locations.

The latest success under her management is the on-schedule completion and commission of the KION production plant in Stríbro, Czech Republic, which relies largely on digitally networked systems, following a ‘smart factory’ concept.

Thomas Toepfer, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Linde Material Handling, said: "Ms Neuss has done an excellent job over the recent years. Significant process and efficiency improvements have been implemented in the Linde plants under her leadership and the level of quality has been further enhanced.”

Ms Neuss joined Linde Material Handling in early 2013, coming from automotive supplier TRW Automotive Safety Systems where she was managing director. Prior to this, she was a member of the management board of Behr & Co., in charge of global development of engine cooling systems for passenger cars as group vice president. In addition to her management position at Linde Material Handling, Ms Neuss is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Continental AG.