Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) 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.

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 meters with a maximum load capacity of 125 metric tons.

The global WFEL portfolio numbers about 40 governments and includes the USA, UK and Switzerland. In fiscal year 2011, the company’s 228 employees achieved sales of about EUR 45 m.

Prior to the takeover by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, WFEL was majority-owned by Dunedin LLP, a UK private equity company.

Frank Haun, Chief Executive Officer of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, stated that the purchase is a logical step for WFEL, Dunedin and KMW: “Expanding our bridge business by including the mobile bridge systems from WFEL is a rational addition to our product range within a growing market. Mobile bridging systems are essential, both for military applications and in the civil sphere in case of natural catastrophes.”

WFEL began manufacturing bridging systems in the 1970s after winning a design contest with the Ministry of Defence to produce a new tactical military bridging asset. The resulting Medium Girder Bridge, of which over 500 systems have been sold globally, first entered service with the British Army in 1971. It later developed the Air Portable Ferry Bridge, which entered service in 2005, and the Dry Support Bridge, which was first deployed by the US in Iraq in 2003.