Vossloh Cordel acquisition advances rail LiDAR plans

Vossloh Cordel acquisition plans have been confirmed by Vossloh AG. The company intends to buy Cordel Group, a British specialist in LiDAR technology and digital tools for railway infrastructure monitoring. The planned deal is part of Vossloh’s growth strategy in digital railway solutions. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

According to Vossloh, Cordel Group is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The proposed share acquisition will use a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under UK law. The transaction values Cordel at GBP 29 million, equivalent to EUR 33 million.

Under the offer, Cordel shareholders would receive 12.4 pence, or 0.14 euro cents, for each share held. Also, the company’s management plans to recommend acceptance of the offer unanimously. Completion still requires shareholder approval and clearance from the relevant UK authorities. Closing is expected in the third quarter of 2026.

LiDAR technology for railway infrastructure monitoring

Cordel develops hardware and software for the international railway industry. Its systems collect, process, and analyse digital imagery and three-dimensional data from railway corridors. The company uses train-mounted LiDAR systems to create 3D images of rail infrastructure and trackside areas.

The technology helps identify problems quickly. These include ballast bed deformation, clearance gauge obstructions, and vegetation that may affect electrified lines. In addition, artificial intelligence is used to analyse the collected data. This helps automate railway infrastructure inspection and maintenance processes.

LiDAR technology and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important for railway infrastructure.

Cordel Group and Vossloh inspection systems

As Railway Supply notes, Cordel Group’s products are already used by major railway operators and infrastructure managers. The regions listed are the UK, the Middle East, North America, and Australia. Its customers include the US operator Amtrak and Network Rail, the UK railway infrastructure manager. Cordel operates through six subsidiaries in three countries and employs 42 people.

By combining Cordel’s technologies with Vossloh AG’s laser inspection systems, the companies aim to develop automated solutions. These systems are intended for continuous railway infrastructure monitoring. Meanwhile, Vossloh and Cordel had already completed a joint pilot project in continental Europe in 2025. The project assessed the compatibility and performance of the integrated systems.

Vossloh CEO Oliver Schuster said the acquisition gives the company an opportunity to enter new markets. At the same time, it would strengthen Vossloh’s position in innovative rail services.

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