Pesa has announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares in HeiterBlick, a German manufacturer of trams and light rail vehicles based in Leipzig. Pesa signed an investment agreement to acquire HeiterBlick at the end of December, and the transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, once the agreed conditions have been met.
The merger between Pesa and HeiterBlick generates market and technological synergies, as well as synergies in terms of engineering and production skills and resources, resulting in the creation of a leading tram manufacturer capable of offering modern, environmentally friendly, comfortable, and safe vehicles tailored to the needs of transport operators in all European markets.
The integration of HeiterBlick into Pesa means that the Polish company will consolidate its portfolio of urban vehicles in the “Urban” range, and thanks to ongoing investments and the financing obtained, the company will continue its stable development and expansion in foreign markets.
“The international competitiveness of Polish companies is one of the strategic directions of the Polish Development Fund. Pesa’s acquisition of HeiterBlick demonstrates that the Polish company is consistently advancing towards a leading position in industrial solutions in the European Union,” said Piotr Matczuk, president of the Polish Development Fund.
The German tram manufacturer has been active on the domestic market since the early 2000s and is currently working on projects in Leipzig, Würzburg, and Dortmund.
In 2018, the Dortmund public transport company (Dortmunder Stadtwerke) signed a contract with the consortium formed by HeiterBlick and Kiepe Electric for the delivery of 24 light rail vehicles and the modernization of 64 existing vehicles. In February 2024, Dortmunder Stadtwerke also ordered eight more vehicles.
In Würzburg, HeiterBlick was awarded a contract in December 2019 to deliver 18 new, modular, five-section, metric gauge, low-floor trams (GT-F model).
Financial problems of the German tram manufacturer
German tram manufacturer HeiterBlick was taken over by Pesa Bydgoszcz following a combination of financial difficulties and the need for a strategic investor to ensure the company’s continuity, which led to insolvency, announced in April 2025.
The economic difficulties were caused by an unfavorable combination of external and contractual factors. The pandemic severely affected supply chains, causing delays and blockages in deliveries, while the accelerated rise in raw material and energy prices significantly increased production costs. A significant part of the problems faced by the manufacturer was related to the structure and content of ongoing contracts. These involved complex deliveries, customized for each operator, with high technical requirements, strict deadlines, and clear performance and penalty obligations. In the context of rapidly rising production costs and unstable supply chains, meeting these commitments became increasingly difficult.
A large contract was signed in December 2021, when the HeiterBlick – Kiepe Electric consortium secured a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 155 trams, with a firm order for 25 trams and an option to add up to 130 vehicles. The contract was awarded by the public transport companies in Leipzig, Zwickau, and Görlitz. The contract was preceded by a Europe-wide tender, conducted since 2019, for the project entitled “Saxon Platform – Tram of the Future.” The joint procurement program of the three public transport companies ran until 2030 and also included spare parts packages and development costs.
In October 2025, the transport operator in Zwickau decided to cancel the order for six trams, with an option for 12 more, due to disagreements over delivery times and the financial terms of the contract. As a result, the local authorities launched a new European tender for the purchase of these vehicles.
At the same time, the city of Görlitz also launched a separate tender procedure, reflecting the two cities’ departure from the original contract with the HeiterBlick – Kiepe Electric consortium.
Pesa’s rescue of HeiterBlick
This takeover represents a crucial moment for both HeiterBlick and Pesa, with significant industrial, financial, and strategic implications. For HeiterBlick, the transaction ensures stability and continuity, saving the company from bankruptcy and allowing it to maintain its production capacities, ongoing projects, and jobs in Leipzig, as well as to continue developing modern trams and sustainable urban transport solutions. At the same time, for Pesa, the takeover offers an opportunity to expand into the Western European market, access local know-how, strengthen relationships with German operators, and participate in projects with high technical standards. The integration of the two companies thus creates technological and operational synergies, combining Pesa’s expertise in rolling stock production with HeiterBlick’s experience in tram projects for the German market.
“We believe that Pesa and HeiterBlick complement each other perfectly – this combination creates a synergy of skills and a mutual exchange of experience between the two teams, which is essential for strengthening our position in Europe,” emphasized Krzysztof Zdziarski, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pesa Bydgoszcz.
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