VDL Groep’s turnover and results increase in first half of 2026

Photo caption: VDL Groep headquarters in Eindhoven.

During the first six months of 2026, VDL Groep continued the trend seen in 2025: the industrial family company based in Eindhoven saw a slight increase in turnover, while its net result showed clear growth. VDL Groep is well positioned in various growth markets: hightech, infratech, foodtech, energy and defence. The order book value has risen sharply. Growth is expected to continue into the second half of 2026.

After the first six months of 2026, our combined annual turnover amounted to EUR 2.077 billion, a rise of 3% compared to 2025 (EUR 2.017 billion). After the first two quarters of 2026, the net result is EUR 59 million, a rise of 11% (2025: EUR 53 million). The order book value rose by 27% in 2026, from EUR 1.855 billion at the start of the year to EUR 2.335 billion in week 35. Since the start of 2026, the number of employees has remained stable at around 14,000.

‘Encouraging’
VDL Groep President and CEO Willem van der Leegte says: “The fact that, as expected, we have succeeded in improving our turnover and results is encouraging. We expect to continue growing in the second half of the year, driven primarily by our hightech and defence activities. We are also well positioned in food, energy and infratech. This forecast is supported by the strong underlying trend in our order book.” 

Subcontracting
The turnover of the Subcontracting division decreased by 3% to EUR 1.267 billion (2025: EUR 1.303 billion). Activities in VDL’s growth markets, such as hightech, foodtech, infratech and energy, are generally doing well. Underlying trends, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are expected to drive growth in the semiconductor market. As a major supplier to global OEMs, VDL is expected to benefit from this growth. Growth is not currently on the agenda for our mobility activities. The Subcontracting division is profitable. The Subcontracting order portfolio amounts to EUR 1.150 million.

Finished Products
The VDL companies that make up the Finished Products division jointly generated EUR 591 million in revenue over the past year, a growth of 33% compared to 2025 (EUR 444 million). This strong growth has been primarily driven by activities in the food, energy and defence sectors. The Finished Products division is profitable. The order book stands at EUR 614 million.

Bus and Coach
The turnover of the Bus & Coach division decreased by 2% to EUR 219 million. For Bus and Coach, the first half of 2026 involved a continued focus on the sales and production of the two complementary bus brands, Van Hool and VDL, within the new VDL Bus Group organisation. Since the start of this year, the new VDL Futura 3 has been delivered to customers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Norway, Finland, Poland and Spain. Its widespread distribution in Europe demonstrates that the vehicle is perfectly suited to a wide range of market requirements and operating conditions. The right-hand drive version of the VDL Futura 3 will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Bus and Coach division is operating at a loss because the factories are facing a shortfall in revenue due to cheaper products from other parts of the world being sold in Europe. The Bus and Coach order book stands at EUR 571 million.

VDL in Born
In the first half of the year, the various divisions of VDL Groep in Born, VDL Nedcar and its affiliated companies VDL Special Vehicles, VDL Mobility Innovation Centre and VDL Defentec took steps towards the further development of the site along four strategic development axes: sustainable mobility, battery packs & new energy systems, hightech manufacturing and the defence industry. The practical implementation of the development vision is also taking shape within the defence cluster. This is underpinned by the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence to scale up national production capacity for both the Dutch and European defence industries. The government has called on VDL Groep to leverage its development and manufacturing expertise in this area.

It is well known that VDL in Born manufactures, amongst other things, drones, battery packs (for drones and vehicles) and unmanned vehicles for the defence sector. The past period has also been characterised by dialogue with public authorities, local residents and other stakeholders in the run-up to the planning application for the defence cluster. It is expected that the competent authority (the Province of Limburg) will soon convert the temporary licence into a permanent one.

Outlook
VDL Groep’s turnover and results are expected to grow further in the second half of 2026. The order book has grown significantly to EUR 2.335 billion (week 35). VDL Groep is in a good position in various growth markets, including hightech, energy, foodtech, infratech and defence. No growth is expected for activities in mobility.
In light of geopolitical developments, it is important for the Netherlands and Europe to actively build up a strategically relevant position in these sectors too, thereby reducing their dependence on other parts of the world. For many years, VDL Groep has been advocating for a level playing field worldwide and endorses the recent recommendation by the WRR, the government’s advisory body, that a robust and more proactive policy is necessary to prevent Europe from falling further behind, with all the consequences that this would entail for prosperity and well-being on our continent.