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2000-2010

History

2000
Klaus Eberhardt new CEO

Clear Directions strategy: concentration on core capabilities: Defence, Automotive, Electronics

Sale of Mauser Waldeck AG and Jagenberg's Paper & Packaging business
2001
Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG sets up joint venture in Shanghai
2002
Heimann Systems GmbH sold
2003
KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH acquires Mazda Motor Corporation's pistons business

Jagenberg AG sold

Preh sold
2004
The sale and transfer of Hirschmann Electronics to HgCapital is the closing chapter in the divestment of the former Electronics sector.
2005
18,000,000 preferred shares are converted into voting common stock, a move that gives Rheinmetall stock much added weight in the MDAX.

The lead in the market for land forces technology is lengthened through carefully targeted M&As. By acquiring a stake in the German AIM Infrarot-Module and taking over the Austrian medium-caliber specialist Arges, the Company is pushing ahead with its policy of globalization and rounding off the product portfolio.

KS Kolbenschmidt strengthens its stance in the NAFTA region by taking over the Mexican pistons builder Pistones Moresa
2006
The new Mexico location KS de México represents an extension of production capacities while amplifying KS Pistons' NAFTA presence.

As part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the German Army, the prototype of the German armed forces' new Puma infantry fighting vehicle is unveiled to the public for the first time.

Relocation of the Kolbenschmidt Pierburg's corporate headquarters from Düsseldorf to Neckarsulm.

In establishing the company Pierburg India in Pune, Pierburg takes another step forward in extending its global base and production network.
2006
With the acquisition of a 51-percent majority holding in the Bonn-based Chempro GmbH and its first stake in ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH based in Lohmar, Rheinmetall Defence is expanding its position as a supplier of land forces systems.

The extraordinary stockholders' meeting of Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG resolves to transfer the shares held by minority stockholders to the principal stockholder Rheinmetall.

With the takeover of Zaugg Elektronik AG, an internationally renowned Swiss manufacturer of safety fuse systems for military use, Rheinmetall Defence adds another element to its spectrum of capabilities as all-in supplier of medium- and large-caliber ammunition.

In Nova Odessa, Brazil, Kolbenschmidt Pierburg commissions a further plant for producing pistons destined for the South American aftermarket.
2007
With the acquisition of a 51-percent majority holding in the Bonn-based Chempro GmbH and its first stake in ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH based in Lohmar, Rheinmetall Defence is expanding its position as a supplier of land forces systems.

The extraordinary stockholders' meeting of Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG resolves to transfer the shares held by minority stockholders to the principal stockholder Rheinmetall.

With the takeover of Zaugg Elektronik AG, an internationally renowned Swiss manufacturer of safety fuse systems for military use, Rheinmetall Defence adds another element to its spectrum of capabilities as all-in supplier of medium- and large-caliber ammunition.
2008

Pierburg Pump Technology

The Pumps product group is now run as a company in its own right under the name of Pierburg Pump Technology.


Motor Service's new headquarters at Neuenstadt

On completion of the newly constructed office building and another extension of the warehouse and shipping capacities, the Motor Service division moves its headquarters to Neuenstadt a. Kocher, close to Neckarsulm.


First Prize at Aluminum Die-Casting Competition

With an innovative aluminum die-cast cooler concept featuring high thermal conductivity and very good corrosion resistance, Pierburg wins first prize for an exhaust gas cooler module at the 2008 International Aluminum Die-Casting Competition. This is a new product designed to cool exhaust gases in diesel engines so that emissions - especially nitrogen oxide - are reduced and CO2 discharges effectively lowered.


Expansion in India

By making a license agreement with Jaya Hind Industries Ltd., based in Pune, India, Kolbenschmidt Pierburg is expanding its activities in the Indian market. Collaboration in the development and production of cylinder heads, engine blocks and bedplates for national and international auto manufacturers as well as other automotive industry suppliers enables KS Aluminium-Technologie to gain a foothold in the high-growth Indian market.


KS Kolbenschmidt in Brazil

KS Kolbenschmidt marks 40 years in Brazil: the plant at the Nova Odessa site is one of the Kolbenschmidt Pierburg Group’s largest piston plants worldwide. It produces for international OEMs annually some 15 million pistons with diameters ranging from 35 to 140 mm for gasoline and diesel engines.


Set up of MS Motor Service Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.

On behalf of the MS Motor Service division, the newly set-up MS Motor Service Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. supplies from its Shanghai base China and neighboring countries with aftermarket products. The company provides engineering competence in the form of local training and other services while benefiting from cooperation with other Kolbenschmidt Pierburg Group companies already resident in Shanghai.


Takeover of Stork PWV B.V.

Rheinmetall Defence takes over Dutch vehicle maker Stork PWV B.V. from its parent company Stork N.V. of Amsterdam, bolstering Rheinmetall’s position as Europe’s leading supplier of systems for ground forces, and reinforcing its role in the Boxer project, one of the most important army technology programmes in Europe.


GÜZ Combat Training Centre

As the system supplier and current operator of one of the world's most advanced military training facilities — the German Army Combat Centre (GÜZ) -- Rheinmetall is responsible not just for supplying the system technology but also provides comprehensive technical and logistical support services to ensure smooth operation of the Centre.


Acquisition of Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd., Pretoria

Underscoring the company’s increasingly international outlook, Rheinmetall acquires a 51% share in the South African defence contractor Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd. of Pretoria, widening its global lead in the world of weapons systems, ammunition and propellants.


Majority stake in LDT Laser Display Technology GmbH

Rheinmetall Defence buys a 51% stake in LDT Laser Display Technology GmbH of Jena from Jenoptik, strengthening its status as a top supplier of sophisticated aircraft simulators for training pilots and flight crews. Moreover, the move expands Rheinmetall’s range of products by adding an array of high-performance visualization systems, placing the company on the global cutting edge in this crucial field.

2009

New plant in India

Pierburg’s newly built Indian plant in Takwe, near Pune, begins manufacturing exhaust gas recirculating valves for the local market.
 

Mass production of aluminum cylinder heads

As part of the initiated product diversification efforts, KS Aluminium-Technologie GmbH is taking up the mass production of aluminum cylinder heads. These products will be manufactured using a proprietary inhouse developed gravity tilt casting technique whereby the mold is filled by rising layers of aluminum to give an extremely fine microstructure that matches the special requirements of high-duty engines.

Together, Pierburg and Kolbenschmidt are celebrating their centenaries.
 

Rheinmetall Air Defence AG

In the course of consolidating its global air defence operations, Rheinmetall Defence renames Oerlikon Contraves AG "Rheinmetall Air Defence AG".
 

Puma serial production

Rheinmetall receives the go-ahead for serial production of the new Puma infantry fighting vehicle, now the most important land systems project in Europe and the largest single order in recent company history.
 

Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH

A centre of expertise for infantry equipment components, the former Oerlikon Contraves Deutschland GmbH is renamed Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH, a leader in the field of advanced equipment for infantry forces.

Delivery of first Boxer

The first serially produced Boxer armoured transport vehicle is transferred to the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR) and Germany’s Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). The Boxer will provide the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands with a highly protected, highly mobile transport vehicle, specifically designed to meet the challenges of modern military operations.
2010
Rheinmetall AG and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG join forces to found Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV). The joint venture company supplies the world’s armed forces with a complete range of wheeled transport, command and multipurpose vehicles, including armoured and non-armoured tactical systems.

Rheinmetall AG took over Norway's Simrad Optronics ASA by conducting a squeeze-out procedure and now holds 100% of the stock. Simrad produces components for remote control weapon stations, electro-optical devices and weapon system upgrades for a global client base.
Passion for Technology.
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