Cologne, Germany- DEUTZ AG., has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Urban Mobility Systems (UMS) and its parent company, UMS Holding B.V., enhancing its DEUTZ New Technology segment. UMS, a Dutch innovator in battery-electric drives for off-highway vehicles, has electrified over 200 machines, including excavators and cranes. The company reported €10 million in revenue for 2024, with strong order growth expected in the high double-digit millions from major OEM customers.
Dr. Sebastian C. Schulte, DEUTZ CEO, said, “By acquiring UMS, DEUTZ is accelerating the development of battery-electric drives for heavy-duty applications and will immediately facilitate the electrification of larger off-highway machines. We are thus taking a strategically important step under our Dual+ strategy and will play a key role in the consolidation of the market for internal combustion engines and for climate-friendly drives used to power large machines.”
Mr. Bert van Hasselt DEUTZ New Technology CEO, “By purchasing UMS, we are taking a technological leap forward and saving both time and resources. Moreover, our expertise in industrialization will enable the UMS technology to be scaled up. This acquisition underpins our strategy to offer the best products in the market to our customer, now and in the future.”
Mr. Lars Kool, UMS-CEO and CTO, said, “DEUTZ’s 161 years of industrial experience and its modern production network at major sites in Germany make it the ideal partner for automating battery assembly and the production of e-kits and ramping them up for mass distribution.” The industrialization of the UMS solutions will predominantly take place at DEUTZ’s German sites, allowing them to significantly enhance their capabilities in the field of battery-electric drives.
By acquiring Urban Mobility Systems (UMS), DEUTZ aims to accelerate R&D in alternative drives and tap into new markets, including transportation, logistics, and defense. UMS’s modular electrification kits allow easy integration into existing engine spaces without costly redesigns, enabling both retrofits and new builds. Their swappable batteries—like those used as counterweights in excavators—can be changed in under ten minutes, making them ideal for heavy-duty use. Combined with DEUTZ’s engines, hybrid systems for larger machines are also feasible. Early studies show potential for military applications, including hybridizing vehicles like the Bushmaster. The deal is pending regulatory approval.
