VDL Groep has acquired Dutch electronics engineering company Sintecs, a move that supports the group’s strategy to expand its capabilities in electronics, software and integrated systems.
As an active bus manufacturer, including electric models, this acquisition is expected to be relevant to VDL’s future vehicle platforms.
Sintecs is based in Hengelo and specialises in the design and development of complex digital electronics for sectors such as telecommunications, automotive, medical technology, energy and defence. Founded in 2000 under the name Signal Integrity Consultancy Services, the company employs around 75 people, with approximately 50 staff in Hengelo and a further 25 in Vilnius, Lithuania. In 2025, Sintecs reported a turnover of 8.5 million EUR.
VDL Groep has stated that the acquisition aligns with its ambition to act as a single industrial partner for customers by combining expertise in mechanics, electronics and software. These competencies are increasingly important in modern bus development, particularly for electric drivetrains, control systems, connectivity and vehicle diagnostics.
Sintecs’ activities include printed circuit board design, embedded hardware and software development, and production support. The company also offers specialised consultancy services and develops its own products under the Scalys brand. Its expertise in linking design and production at an early stage is intended to support manufacturability, reliability and lifecycle performance.
In recent years, VDL has expanded its electronics activities through the acquisitions of TBP Electronics in 2020 and Rena Elektronica in 2023. With the addition of Sintecs, VDL aims to further strengthen its electronics development and production support.
VDL TBP Electronics, VDL Rena Elektronica and Sintecs will work together to support early-stage design processes. According to VDL, this approach is important for achieving cost-efficient electronics that can be produced at scale.
Sintecs is also involved in product development in the field of cybersecurity through its Scalys brand, including secure network solutions designed for critical environments. Cybersecurity and system reliability are becoming more important considerations in connected and software-driven buses.
VDL Groep President and CEO Willem van der Leegte said:Our ambition is to be a one-stop-shop industrial partner for our customers. In addition to our expertise in mechanics and software, we have already made significant progress in the field of electronics in recent years with VDL TBP Electronics and VDL Rena Elektronica. With the skilled employees of Sintecs joining our ranks, our electronics expertise will be further expanded, particularly in the areas of development and support for the manufacturability and testability of electronics in our factories. This will enable us to serve our customers even better and become even more relevant to their critical processes.
