Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG has taken over the UK company WFEL Ltd. based in Stockport, Cheshire. WFEL is regarded as the world market leader for mobile bridging systems in both military and civil applications. The acquisition provides an exit for WFEL’s private equity investors Dunedin, which backed a management buyout of the business in 2006 for £48 million.

This is KMW’s first in the UK, it will provide WFEL with new opportunities to accelerate its international sales growth, while generating synergies for new and existing customers through a combined product portfolio of vehicle and bridging solutions offered by KMW. WFEL bridges are used in places where other opportunities for crossing terrain, obstacles and bodies of water have been destroyed. The self-supporting structures can span up to 46 metres with a maximum load capacity of 125 tonnes. The global WFEL portfolio numbers about 40 governments, includes the USA, UK and Switzerland.