On January 29, 2025, KNDS and Texelis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the proposed acquisition by KNDS France of Texelis' Defense business.
Under this agreement, the two parties announce that they are entering into exclusive negotiations with a view to carrying out this transaction, which will require the separation of Texelis into two companies - Texelis Défense and Texelis Transport.
Information and consultation of employee representative bodies on this project is scheduled to take place in the next few days. The final completion of this transaction, expected by the end of 2025, remains subject to the finalization of agreements and to the usual conditions precedent for this type of transaction.
Texelis is a French company whose Defense business specializes in land mobility and design of cutting-edge solutions for armored land vehicles. Texelis is a major player in the French defense industry, producing numerous parts and mobility components for the French Army armored vehicles. Since winning the SERVAL contract with KNDS France, Texelis has been able to develop, qualify and produce complete mobility solutions for 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles.
An innovative company, Texelis is at the forefront of hybridization for armored vehicles, as well as energy management applied to mobility.
Texelis' Transport business would remain under the control of its management team, with the support of its investors.
Texelis employs 350 people and generated sales of around 110 million euros in 2023. In addition to its production site in Limoges, Texelis already has a branch at the KNDS France site in Roanne.
"This structuring project will enable us to strengthen our growth and increase our skills in the mobility field, with a high-performance French company that we know well and that is already our partner in the temporary business venture Serval," said Nicolas Chamussy, CEO of KNDS France.
Charles-Antoine de Barbuat, Chairman of Texelis, commented: "The future integration of Texelis' Defense business into the KNDS group would open up numerous growth prospects, beyond the initial success of the collaboration. In addition, the Transport business has all the assets needed to pursue its development independently".
About KNDS:
KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France. KNDS forms a Group of around 10,000 employees, with a 2023 turnover of 3.3 billion euro, an order backlog of around 16 billion euro and incoming orders of 7.8 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment.
The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The strategic alliance between KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. In addition, it offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.
KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.
Press contact: guillem.monsonis (at) knds.fr
About Texelis:
Driving innovation for Mobility
Texelis is a French company, specialist of mobility solutions for Defense and Transport. Texelis has been designing, producing and maintaining axle systems, gearboxes, and other mechanical parts for military vehicles, metros, trams, buses and trucks for over 40 years.
Constantly growing on its core competence, and on expertise gained over several decades working with vehicle manufacturers, rail OEMs and operators, as well as military forces across the globe, Texelis has built a reputation in designing, developing and producing full mobility platforms.
In 2018, Texelis was selected to provide the French Army with the mobility solution for their new 4x4 vehicle, the Serval, to be produced in more than 2,000 units until 2035. In 2021, Texelis was then selected by French rail leader SNCF to provide with the innovative mobility platform for their new light train, TELLi.
Texelis supports both manufacturers and operators throughout the product lifecycle, from initial design to complete renovation, repair and overhaul. Texelis celebrated in 2024 the 10th anniversary of its Renovation activities, with more than 6,000 axles and other parts renovated over the years for numerous clients. An expert of mobility, Texelis was recently selected by robotics leader Milrem to supply them with the mobility solution for their new range of medium tracked unmanned vehicles.
Fully committed in several programs, from Serval to TELLi and the Grand Paris metro Texelis is key for the challenges of today and tomorrow, from Defense and Security to collective mobility.
Texelis employs 350 staff and operates a 35,000m2 manufacturing facility in Limoges, France.
Press contact: marin.tollet (at) texelis.com
