Construx Group strengthens with acquisition of French CBE Group

Construx Group, the Belgian specialist in formwork systems for contractors and precast producers, is proud to announce the acquisition of the French company CBE, a global leader in formwork and carousels for the production of precast concrete tunnel segments.

This strategic acquisition is another milestone in Construx Group's ambitious growth strategy, further cementing its position as a leading global player in formwork, machinery and equipment for the precast concrete industry.

European consolidation in a niche market

The formwork sector is a specialized niche, in which the market players are almost exclusively European companies. Since its founding in 2003 by Anthony Jannes and Ward Demyttenaere, Construx has positioned itself worldwide with an extensive range of formwork solutions for precast and on-site cast concrete structures.

Construx carries out all engineering and production entirely in-house and, as an authentic manufacturing company, has nine production sites spread across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Romania. Five of these sites are also equipped with a rental depot for system formwork, with which the group supports its customers flexibly and project-oriented.

The acquisition of the German company Weckenmann, an expert in automated circulation systems, already marked an important step in Construx's buy & build strategy in 2023. With a consolidated turnover of 70 million euros and 380 employees in 2024, Construx became the worldwide reference in formwork, machinery and installations for prefabricated concrete elements after this acquisition.

With successful reference projects in more than 80 countries, Construx-Weckenmann is a leading name in the international precast concrete industry. Currently, the group realizes large-scale carousel installations at customers in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Canada and Poland, complemented by numerous formwork projects worldwide, from the United States to New Zealand

CBE Group: New expertise in segment formwork and lifting technology

With the acquisition of CBE Group, comprising CBE France, Acimex France, CBE China and Acimex China, Construx adds a world leader to its portfolio. CBE Group, based in Saint-Avertin (France), achieved a turnover of 28 million euros in 2024 with 310 employees and is the absolute market leader in formwork solutions and carousel installations for prefabricated tunnel segments. Among other things, CBE was responsible for the production of the precast molds used to manufacture the concrete segments of the Channel Tunnel. The acquisition means for Construx the entry into a market segment in which it was not active until now, and it adds 4 additional production sites to its already impressive production equipment

In addition, Construx gains access to specialized lifting technology for heavy loads, in which vacuum technology plays a central role, through its subsidiary Acimex. This provides the group with additional technological clout and opens doors to new markets and applications.

Integration of market leaders while maintaining brand strength

The integration of CBE Group fits into Construx's clear vision of building a group in which strong, complementary brands support each other. Construx, Weckenmann, CBE and Acimex are true forerunners in a rapidly evolving global market. They are each market leader or number two in their segment, and their collaboration creates unique scale, technical expertise and market coverage. The management team will actively pursue synergies between the companies to accelerate innovation, product development and international growth.

The operational presence of CBE and Acimex in China constitutes a strategic asset for the international expansion of Construx Group, with a solid base in growth markets where there is untapped potential today. For CBE and Acimex, this integration represents a logical continuation of their successful growth trajectory under former CEO Philippe Samama, while maintaining their brand identity and operational autonomy.

Shaping the Future of Concrete - 100 million euro revenue, 700 employees

The acquisition of CBE Group brings Construx Group's consolidated revenue to approximately €100 million and employment to nearly 700 employees worldwide. Construx Group remains owned by its founders and management team for 100%, with Julien Travers assuming the role of CEO of CBE Group and its subsidiaries as co-owner.

The mission "Shaping the Future of Concrete" remains the leitmotif of the group, which sees this strategic move as a further acceleration of its growth path. Further expansions and investments are certainly not ruled out by the founders.