
Renk, Steyr set to step up production as Europe's arms spending fills order books
May 14 (Reuters) - Growing military spending in Europe drove double-digit sales growth for Rheinmetall suppliers Renk (R3NK.DE), opens new tab and Steyr Motors (4X0.VI), opens new tab in the first quarter and filled out their order books for coming quarters.
Their bloated order pipelines are similar to many defence sector peers that have been reporting solid results while flagging rising backlogs, as European governments scramble to increase defence budgets after decades of under-investment.
Renk's and Steyr's piles of orders stand between four and five times their expected revenue this year, according to an LSEG poll of analysts.
Renk CEO Alexander Sagel told Reuters that the German gearbox maker can digest the order backlog by changing the shift model at its main plant in Augsburg, rebuilding assembly lines to allow more flexibility and adjusting production at its European factories.
"We do not need to build any new plant anywhere in the world, at least for the European market," Sagel said.
LBBW analyst Stefan Maichl told Reuters that Renk's order backlog supported its growth ambitions and made planning for the future more secure.
Renk, which makes gearboxes for Leopard 2 tanks and transmissions for Bradley fighting vehicles, reported a 14% rise in its quarterly revenue.
Its smaller Austrian peer Steyr, which supplies engines to BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab and the U.S. Navy Seals, saw its revenue grow by 26%.
"We are in the ramp-up phase in order to work off the high order backlog. At the same time, we are continuing to see dynamic demand," Steyr CEO Julian Cassutti said in an earnings statement.
Both companies confirmed their forecasts for the full year.
Their Frankfurt-listed shares have more than tripled in value this year, as Western nations buy supplies to help Ukraine fight Russia's invasion and strengthen their own capabilities amid fears of waning protection from the United States.
($1 = 0.8918 euros)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Jurgen Klopp's three-word response to huge Florian Wirtz transfer speaks volumes
Liverpool confirmed the signing of top transfer target Florian Wirtz on Friday, having agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign him for a British-record £116million fee Jurgen Klopp has offered his seal of approval to Liverpool's new £116million signing, Florian Wirtz. The German playmaker, 22, has joined the Reds on a five-year contract after completing a British-record move from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz was Liverpool's top target going into the summer transfer window and they've managed to beat Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to his signature. The deal is comprised of £100m paid to Leverkusen upfront with a further £16m in potential add-ons. It's by far the biggest signing made since Klopp departed Anfield, with his successor, Arne Slot, having led the Reds to the Premier League title in his first season. Slot's reward is to work with a top talent like Wirtz and Klopp has no doubts that he'll be 'really, really great' on Merseyside. During an interview with to German broadcaster RTL, the former Liverpool boss was asked to give his verdict of the transfer. "It will be really, really great," Klopp replied. "I'm sure of it." The legendary manager went on to say: "It's very difficult to strengthen them when you're champions. But Liverpool have managed that. They've signed an exceptional talent in Florian Wirtz." Wirtz had the pick of some of Europe's best clubs but he and his family felt that Liverpool was the perfect next step. "I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world, and in my opinion Liverpool was one of them," the 31-time Germany international explained. "Yeah, I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything what the club offers me was really good. And in the end [it was] also easy to be excited for me to come to Liverpool. Will Florian Wirtz live up to his £116m price tag at Liverpool? Give us your prediction in the comments section. "It was not that easy for me, for sure, because I am a German player, I play for the Germany national team. So, it was not easy for me to decide but I think the talks with the coach and Richard [Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director] and everybody were, from the start or from the very first time, so good and it just kept going like this. "Every time I spoke to one of the [people from] the club I felt like, 'this is the place I want to be' and so in the end I was really 100 percent convinced I want to join Liverpool and it was the best choice." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Martin Zubimendi announcement plan emerges as Arsenal face transfer delay
Arsenal are set to confirm Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as their first summer signing in a major coup for Mikel Arteta Martin Zubimendi's transfer to Arsenal is not expected to be made official until July - even though the player has already travelled to London with his agent to put the finishing touches on his switch from Real Sociedad. The Spain international was in the capital on Friday to meet with Gunners officials as Mikel Arteta's side hone in on their first big statement deal of the summer window. However, Sociedad want the move to be ratified next month for their financial records as the current football financial year is due to end on June 30. Arsenal are also expected to pay slightly over Zubimendi's £51million release clause and the final fee could yet reach £55m all in. The extra £4m, though sources remain tight-lipped on the final figures at this stage, would entitle them to more favourable payment terms, spread across a longer period of time and significantly, would give them further flexibility in the market amid the tightening of PSR regulations. Real Madrid had been tipped to hijack Arsenal's swoop for the 26-year-old following Xabi Alonso's arrival at the Bernabeu but Zubimendi's impending transfer was already agreed in principle several months ago and the Gunners have long been operating with the belief that he would be joining this summer. Meanwhile, Thomas Partey's contract situation currently looks bleak as discussions have not progressed between the parties and barring any late U-turn, the Ghanaian is set to become a free agent at the end of the month. The 32-year-old has been offered to a number of top European clubs including Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in the past week but at this stage, it is still not clear where he could yet end up as his priority has always been to stay at Arsenal. If Partey does indeed depart, Arsenal will actively seek to recruit another midfielder after also losing Jorginho to Flamengo, although Zubimendi is expected to fill the void of the Ghana international at the base of Arteta's engine room. Arsenal are poised to ramp up their pursuit of new arrivals in the coming weeks with a striker still considered both Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta's top priority. Interest in RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres remains ongoing and at this moment in time, Arsenal are seemingly still yet to commit to going all-out for either player as both deals remain there to be struck. Both Sesko and Gyokeres are thought to be keen on moves to the Emirates.


Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iconic compact convertible hinted at return after 20 years away – and could compete with the Mazda MX-5
Introduced back in 2003, it was widely respected for its balanced mid-engined layout - but it's production run ended just two years later DROP TOP Iconic compact convertible hinted at return after 20 years away – and could compete with the Mazda MX-5 AN ICONIC convertible could be returning to the road - some 20 years after it was discontinued. Better yet, the compact roadster might produce some fair competition for the world's most popular little convertible, the Mazda MX-5. Advertisement 6 Smart's iconic Roadster could return, 20 years after its discontinuation, to take on the Mazda MX-5 Credit: Getty 6 The compact convertible was once championed by F1 legend Gordon Murray Credit: Getty 6 Over 43,000 units of the Roadster were produced between 2003 and 2005 Credit: AFP 6 The brand is currently focussed on two models set for release in the near future Credit: Alamy According to Auto Express, Smart has left the door open for the return of the Smart Roadster - with the brand preparing a successor for its famous ForTwo city car. Indeed, back in March, we reported on how the much-loved ForTwo - the quintessential 'park anywhere' city car of the noughties - is being considered for a comeback in the coming years after being pulled from the market last year. That could spell good news for the Roadster model too, a two-door, two-seater convertible that was Smart's sports car offering at the time. Introduced back in 2003, it was widely respected for its balanced mid-engined layout - with iconic F1 designer Gordon Murray a famous fan who used the Roadster as his daily driver. Advertisement The model was ultimately discontinued in November 2005, with just over 43,000 units produced. In a recent interview, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt talked fondly about the Roadster, saying: 'We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun. 'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. 'So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK.' Advertisement Allbutt did however reiterate that nothing is concrete and that the brand currently focussed on the launch of its biggest model yet - the all-new Smart #5 SUV - with an electric family hatchback called Smart #6 to follow. ELECTRIC FEEL As the industry continues to transition into electric power, several marques are lining up all-electric sports cars to replace their ICE counterparts. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further An electric version of the universally acclaimed Alpine A110 is already in the pipeline, while Porsche is rumoured to be lining up some kind of Boxster/Cayman EV. Meanwhile, Lotus are waiting for battery tech to catch up - especially in terms of weight - before drawing up an exciting electric sequel to the Elise. Advertisement Even the aforementioned MX-5 is being earmarked for an electric replacement in the coming years. But according to Auto Express, Allbutt appears to have reservations about whether petrolheads are ready to embrace electric convertibles. Smart Roadster history First introduced in 2002 43,091 produced between August 2002 and November 2005 Produced in Hambach, France Created following Smart's "reduce to the max" philosophy Coupe and Roadster introduced in 2002 were designed to be reminiscent of classic British roadsters like the Triumph Spitfire and MG B Roadster was powered by a 45 or 60kW version of the turbocharged 698cc 3-cylinder Suprex engine in the rear Roadster Coupe had the more powerful 60kW option only Car weighed as little as 790kg - creating the emotion of driving a sports car at an affordable cost Awarded Fun Car Of The Year by Top Gear in 2005 He said: 'I think a lot of people that drive these cars historically have been traditional car enthusiasts. 'Part of the joy of having the roof down, in case you have less hair to be ruffled nowadays, is also to hear the sound of the engine. Advertisement 'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. 'It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.' 6 Smart Roadsters were designed to give drivers the feel of a sports car but at an affordable price Credit: Getty 6 It is thought a new Smart Roadster could compete with the popular Mazda MX-5 Credit: Getty