Vossloh has completed its acquisition of UK laser-scanning specialist Cordel Group, three months after announcing the GBP 29m (around EUR 33m) cash offer. The transaction became effective on 13 August following court approval.
Cordel’s shareholders approved the court-sanctioned scheme on 30 June with 99.68% of votes in favour. The 12.4 pence per share offer, announced on 13 May, was made through the subsidiary Vossloh Digital Solutions GmbH and represented a premium of more than 100% on Cordel’s pre-bid share price.
Cordel mounts light detection and ranging (LiDAR) equipment on trains to produce three-dimensional scans of the track environment. The data is analysed with artificial intelligence to flag issues such as uneven ballast beds and vegetation or overhead line clearance problems at an early stage. Its customers include rail operators in the United Kingdom, the Middle East, North America and Australia.
Hybrid bond funds digital expansion
Vossloh issued a EUR 250m hybrid bond earlier this year and said the proceeds were intended primarily to strengthen its digital capabilities. The company, which generated sales of EUR 1.3 billion in 2025 with around 5,500 employees, has built its business on rail fastening systems, sleepers and turnouts. Cordel adds condition monitoring and predictive maintenance software to that portfolio.
Oliver Schuster, CEO of Vossloh AG, said the technology gives customers a more comprehensive view of their networks and lays the groundwork for predictive maintenance. John Davis, CEO of Cordel Group PLC, said the company would continue developing its technology within the Vossloh Group.
The deal closes three months after Siemens Mobility agreed to acquire key Mermec businesses, including its diagnostics and data analytics activities, in a transaction due to complete by the end of 2026.