Linde Roadster claims top honors

As in previous years, the competition was fierce. Pelemedia GmbH nominated a total of 32 products and projects in five categories for the award. From the beginning of December 2025 to the end of January 2026, experts from a wide range of industries were invited to vote for their favorites in an online poll. Linde Material Handling entered the “Industrial Trucks” category with the Roadster version of its new electric counterbalance forklift series, featuring load capacities of up to 2.0 tons. Six other nominees were available for consideration in this category, which encompasses innovations in forklifts, logistic trains, pallet trucks, attachments, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The winners were honored at a ceremony in Munich on March 5. Richard Bozem, Senior Strategy and Portfolio Manager at Linde Material Handling, accepted the “PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2026” award in the Industrial Trucks category on behalf of Linde MH. Bozem proudly held up the transparent award featuring the green number one, stating: “This recognition belongs to all the Linde MH employees who dedicated themselves to developing this exceptional vehicle with great passion and commitment.” The outstanding result in the 2026 materialfluss readers’ poll is a reflection of the positive customer response Linde MH has received since launching the Linde Xi Roadster last year.

Better visibility enhances safety and productivity

The Linde Xi14 tos Xi20 R models are offered as three- or four-wheel variants and, with their overhead tilt cylinder design, are exclusively available from intralogistics specialist Linde. In addition to the absence of A-pillars, which provides larger viewing windows, other design features also contribute to improved visibility. These include a lowered front panel for a better view of the forks, slim B-pillars to assist with backing up, and an optional panoramic reinforced glass roof. At the same time, the vehicle design meets the highest standards for driver protection against falling objects. Another highlight is the optional Linde Steer Control, which replaces the standard steering wheel with either a mini-wheel or a joystick, resulting in further enhanced visibility and ergonomic advantages. Overall, these features provide greater safety when driving and lifting, creating the foundation for more efficient, productive operations.

Richard Bozem, Senior Strategy and Portfolio Manager Counterbalance Trucks at Linde MH was presented with the “PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2026” award in the “Industrial Trucks” category.
Photo: Pelemedia GmbH

Richard Bozem, Senior Strategy and Portfolio Manager Counterbalance Trucks at Linde MH was presented with the “PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2026” award in the “Industrial Trucks” category.
Photo: Pelemedia GmbH

Many other advantages

The Linde Xi Roadster models are based on the standard version of the new electric forklift series and feature an integrated lithium-ion battery. This allows for compact vehicle dimensions and a spacious operator area with ample legroom and headroom, as well as a generous step for comfortable entry and exit. Additionally, the high-performance, energy-efficient synchronous reluctance motors meet demanding performance requirements and offer high residual load capacities. A wide range of equipment options is available to tailor vehicles to individual needs. In addition, the Linde Xi Roadster models are designed for maximum serviceability, which has positive effects on costs and sustainability.