VDL strengthens position in electronics through acquisition of Sintecs

With the acquisition of Sintec, VDL Groep further expands its position in high-quality electronics. This strategic step supports VDL’s ambition to serve customers as a one-stop-shop partner in the areas of mechanics, software, and electronics. Sintec, from Hengelo, designs complex digital electronics for clients in various high-tech industries such as telecommunications, automotive, medical, energy, and defence.

Sintecs stands for Signal Integrity Consultancy Services and was founded in 2000. The company has grown into a mature and innovative player in electronics, designing and developing so-called high-end electronics, including PCBs (printed circuit boards), embedded software, and hardware for complex applications. Additionally, the company offers specialized services and markets its own products under the brand name Scalys. At Sintecs, approximately 75 employees work, with 50 based in Hengelo and 25 in Vilnius (Lithuania). The annual turnover in 2025 was €8.5 million.

With this acquisition, VDL enhances its competencies in electronic development and production support. Sintecs is among other things specialized in the early integration of design and manufacturing and possesses expertise that is of great importance in various sectors, such as high-tech, cybersecurity, and defense. These subfields perfectly align with VDL's activities. Under the umbrella of VDL Groep, the products and services for the market can be further strengthened.

Expansion of competencies

With the acquisitions of TBP Electronics (2020) and Rena Elektronica (2023), VDL has further expanded its competencies in the field of high-quality electronics. The takeover of Sintecs strengthens the ‘one-stop-shop principle’ further, especially for customers in the high-tech sector who purchase complex mechatronic modules. With this acquisition, VDL takes an important step towards offering an even more comprehensive range to its customers, combining mechanics, electronics, and software.

Focus on "maakbaarheid

Early involvement in the design is crucial to achieve cost-effective and quality electronics that are easy to manufacture. VDL TBP Electronics, VDL Rena Electronica, and Sintecs will work closely together to further develop this approach and provide broader support to customers.

Sintecs also engages in product development and launches its own products under the name Scalys, for example for cybersecurity. An example of this is the TrustBox Edge, a cyber-secure network solution (for example, to be used as a router) for safe and reliable data processing. Security is integrated from the very first design step, according to strict architecture, for both hardware and software. The solution is based on Sintecs' expertise in PCB layout, signal and power integrity analysis, hardware architecture, and system validation. These competencies ensure that every design decision is systematically assessed for reliability, robustness, and long-term integrity. As a result, the TrustBox is suitable for critical environments where cyber security and system trust are essential. In 2019, Sintecs won the main innovation award at the world’s largest electronics fair, CES in Las Vegas, with the TrustBox.

'Natural and significant step forward'

Founder Hans Klos of Sintecs: “The acquisition by VDL feels like a natural and simultaneously significant step forward for Sintecs and Scalys. With VDL’s knowledge, scale, and technological strength, we can further deepen our expertise, innovate faster, and support our customers even better. It gives us the space to grow, while remaining true to who we are, and enables us to further strengthen and expand our identity. As part of VDL Groep, we have the opportunity to increase our impact and pursue our ambitions”.

'Further expanded electronics skills'

President-director Willem van der Leegte of VDL Groep: “Our ambition is to be a one-stop-shop industrial partner for our customers. In addition to our expertise in mechanics and software, in recent years we have made significant progress in electronics with VDL TBP Electronics and VDL Rena Electronics. With the skilled employees of Sintecs now part of our team, our electronics competencies are primarily being further expanded in the areas of development and support for the manufacturability and testability of electronics in our factories. This enables us to serve our customers even better and to become even more relevant to our customers' critical processes.”

About Sintecs

Sintecs is a technology partner specialised in electronics design, embedded software and PCB design and analysis. The company supports organisations in developing reliable, scalable, and securely designed electronic solutions for high-tech and demanding industrial applications. As part of VDL Groep, Sintecs contributes to the realisation of complex, integrated technological projects within the business group.