“We are clearly committed to the region and are investing specifically in infrastructure, production capacities, and the creation of long-term, qualified jobs. By involving the local and regional supplier industry and service providers, we generate high added value for Rhineland-Palatinate,” emphasised Dr. Christian Kauth, Managing Director of GDELS–Bridge Systems and GDELS–Germany. He also cautioned, “Our investment decision for this location must not distract from the fact that politicians need to remain committed to improving the conditions for industry in Germany as quickly as possible.”
Among the projects is the conversion of the Opel site’s K16 production hall in Kaiserslautern, where over 10,000 square metres will be used to manufacture floating bridges. At the same time, production of the M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system will be doubled, with the system already adopted as the NATO standard and recently ordered by Sweden, Denmark, and Latvia.
Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer welcomed the expansion, stating: “I am pleased with GDELS–Bridge Systems’ decision to invest millions in the Kaiserslautern and Sembach sites. This strengthens Rhineland-Palatinate as an industrial location and creates around 400 collectively agreed jobs for the region. GDELS–Bridge Systems’ amphibious bridge systems are already in demand worldwide and have established themselves as a NATO standard. In view of the current challenges in security and defence policy, the company is thus making an important contribution from Rhineland-Palatinate.”
The state’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Daniela Schmitt, added: “It is an important signal that GDELS is expanding its site in Kaiserslautern and thus makes a significant contribution to the security of Germany and our NATO partners. This commitment to the location demonstrates once again that Rhineland-Palatinate is an attractive location for the security and defence industry. This is where the diverse competencies of production, research, and development converge. This is precisely what we support with our industrial and innovation policy in Rhineland-Palatinate.”
GDELS–Bridge Systems has operated in Kaiserslautern since 1864 and in Sembach since the early 1990s, and today employs around 550 people. A further 15 apprentices will begin training in September 2025, and the planned expansion will make the company one of the largest employers in the region.
“We foresee a sustainable utilization of our locations well into the 2030s. We are making a decisive contribution to the ‘Zeitenwende’ for the German Armed Forces and our international customers,” said Dr. Kauth.
