Chinese company eyes acquisition of Lamberet

The Chinese company Xinfei is about to acquire French trailer manufacturer Lamberet, local news outlets report.
France-based Xinfei is part of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a Chinese state-owned aerospace and defense company.
According to French industry resource Transport Info, Lamberet chief Erick Mejean has welcomed the takeover, saying it would strengthen the company’s research and development capabilities and give it access to new strategic markets such as Asia and North America.
Refrigerated van specialist Lamberet, which has been wholly owned by an investment fund since 2009, has reportedly doubled its revenue over the past half-decade to 140 million euros.
Transport Info said the company’s order backlog amounted to 41 million euros in the first quarter, an increase of 50% compared with the same period of 2014.
Other sources, including France 3, say the company, which has 800 employees, has hired 80 new workers since March to increase production rates. This means additional funds are now urgently needed to continue the firm’s growth strategy.
In 2014, Lamberet sold 4,800 units, including some 1,800 semitrailers.