Company

LHY Powertrain through the years

From an idea and an initiative of three men, Dr. Hugo Güldner, Dr. Carl von Linde and Dr. Georg von Krauss, to a world-wide acting and located company. Our roots date back to the beginning of the 20th century.
Find out more about our corporate development in more than 100 years of company history.

1904

On February 15, 1904 Dr. Hugo Güldner, Dr. Carl von Linde and Dr. Georg von Krauss founded the Güldner-Motoren- Gesellschaft mbH in Munich, Germany.

1929

The till-now part ownership in the Linde Ice Machine business is complimented by the complete take-over by the Güldner-Motoren-Gesellschafft. A restructuring of the manufacturing program follows accordingly.

1933

Production of small diesel motors begins.

1938

Production expanded via gas driven motors and generators, aero engines, plough machines and diesel motors to the manufacture of tractors. The first Güldner tow tractor model A20 goes into series production.

1956

Production of the first hydrostatically driven vehicle, the so-called Hydrocar, in Aschaffenburg.

1958

LHY Powertrain was established as a specialized department within Linde Material Handling, a Linde AG business unit. Production of the first forklift truck with hydrostatic transmission began.

1970

Incorporation of LHY Powertrain Corporation in North America.

2006

LHY Powertrain became part of KION Group in 2006 as a business unit of Linde Material Handing.

2008

LHY Powertrain celebrated its 50th anniversary. As pioneer of hydraulic components, Linde has not only marked the way in construction equipment: For 50 years the hydrostatic transmission has ensured a wear-free power train system in Diesel and LP Gas forklift trucks. More than 450 registered patents speak for the innovative power of LHY Powertrain technology.

2012

Weichai Power, one of the leading companies in the commercial vehicle and automotive supplier industries in China, acquired 70 percent share in LHY Powertrain. From then on, LHY Powertrain is established as separate legal entity (LHY Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG) and is run as an independent company. KION remains a strategic investor in LHY Powertrain.

2015

LHY Powertrain opens China production facility in Weifang, Shandong Province. The new plant will be operated by LHY Powertrain (China) Co., Ltd, which was formed in a joint venture between LHY Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG (51%) and Weichai Power Co., Ltd (49%).

2016

LHY Powertrain moves to the new plant in Wailandtstrasse 13, 63741 Aschaffenburg.

2018

Opening of a new location in Rock Hill, South Carolina (USA).

2020

Opening of the new plant in Weifang, China.