Renk Lifts Nine-Month Operating Profit 12.7% as David Brown Defence Joins the Fold

Renk closed the acquisition of David Brown Defence from Stellex Capital Management on 2 November, with the necessary regulatory clearances already in hand. The British site in Huddersfield, now trading as RENK UK Huddersfield, is earmarked as a competence centre for submarine drive systems. The ownership change is complete; Renk frames the plant's future role as a forward-looking assignment rather than a settled operating unit.

The deal landed alongside nine-month figures published on 5 November that showed earnings outpacing sales. Adjusted EBIT for the first nine months of 2026 climbed 12.7% to €158.8 million, while revenue advanced 5.8% to €982.0 million. Order intake grew far faster still, jumping 33.6% to €1.66 billion, and the order backlog stood at €7.6 billion as of 30 September.

Both order intake and adjusted operating profit therefore expanded at a quicker clip than turnover. For the continuing operations — a perimeter that reflects the agreed sale of the plain bearings business — Renk is guiding toward roughly €1.4 billion in revenue for full-year 2026, with adjusted EBIT projected at €240–255 million. That forecast already accounts for the divestment.

Shares came under pressure after the numbers were released. According to dpa-AFX, the slide in Rheinmetall following its profit warning also weighed on other names in the sector. By Friday the stock had recovered somewhat, adding 1.3% to close at €33.09.

CEO Alexander Sagel is due to set out the group's strategic direction at a presentation in London on 8 December 2026.