Solaris Bus & Coach Acquired by Spain’s CAF
CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), a Spanish company best known for its strong position in the global railway industry, has acquired 100% of the shares of Poland’s Solaris Bus & Coach S.A., a leading European manufacturer of innovative public transportation vehicles including buses powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Hydrogen. Solaris will be included to the Group CAF.
According to the Solaris press release, this transaction will ensure the leadership of the CAF Group and Solaris in the supply of innovative solutions in urban public transport in Europe and will strengthen the position of both brands in the international markets. CAF is engaged in the design, production, maintenance and supply of rolling stock and rail vehicles, another area of company’s activity involves the latest solutions for urban transport, including e-mobility.
The public transport vehicles produced by CAF are known all over the world, i.e.: Europe, USA, South America, Asia (India and Japan) and in North African countries (more info at www.caf.net). “We want to continue using and to develop Solaris’ valuable brand and to keep its Polish character.
The combination of both companies’ know-how in production, design, technology and services, together with the track record of Solaris in bus product innovation will allow us to better serve our clients while creating shareholder value,” said Andrés Arizkorreta, President and Chief Executive Officer of CAF Group. Solange Olszewska, founder of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A., said: “It was not an easy decision for me and my family. Over 20 years ago, my husband and I founded our company that today employs nearly 2,500 people and that is active on more than 30 markets.
I know that I am leaving the company in good hands. The CAF Group will continue the best practice in the Solaris brand and will let it grow even more”. “We want to ensure all stakeholders of CAF and Solaris companies, in particular our customers and suppliers, that we continue all business processes and cooperation in an unchanged form and that we will fulfill all our obligations resulting from the binding agreements” – added Andrés Arizkorreta, President of CAF Group. Through an agreement with the Polish PFR investment fund, CAF maintains the Polish identity of Solaris and strengthens its position to accomplish the ambitious growth plan of the company.
