VDL Groep strengthens its position in electronics with Sintecs acquisition
The acquisition of Sintecs will allow VDL Groep to further expand its position in high-quality electronics. This strategic move supports VDL’s ambition to offer customers a one-stop-shop partner solution for mechanics, software and electronics. Sintecs, based in Hengelo, designs complex digital electronics for customers 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 high-end electronics, including printed circuit boards (PCBs), embedded software and hardware for complex applications. The company also offers specialised services and markets its own products under the Scalys brand name. Sintecs employs approximately 75 people, with 50 employees based in Hengelo and 25 in Vilnius (Lithuania). The annual turnover in 2025 amounted to 8.5 million euros.
With this acquisition, VDL is strengthening its competencies in electronics development and production support. Sintecs specialises in areas such as linking design and production at an early stage and its expertise is highly valued in sectors such as high-tech, cyber security and defence. These are areas that fit in perfectly with VDL activities. Under the VDL Groep umbrella, products and services for the market can be strengthened further.
Expansion of competencies
With the acquisitions of TBP Electronics (2020) and Rena Elektronica (2023), VDL further expanded its competencies in the field of high-quality electronics. The acquisition of Sintecs represents yet another enhancement in the ‘one-stop-shop principle’, particularly for customers in the high-tech sector who purchase complex mechatronic modules. With this acquisition, VDL is taking an important step towards offering its customers an even more comprehensive range of services, combining mechanics, electronics and software.
Focus on manufacturability
Early involvement in the design process is crucial to achieving cost-efficient and high-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 customers with even greater peace of mind.
Sintecs is also involved in product development and markets its own products under the name Scalys, for example in the field of cybersecurity. One example is the TrustBox Edge, a cyber-secure network solution (which can be used as a router, for example) for secure and reliable data processing. Security is built in 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. This makes the TrustBox suitable for critical environments where cyber security and system reliability are essential. Sintecs won the most important innovation award in 2019 for the TrustBox at the world’s largest electronics trade show, CES in Las Vegas.
‘A natural, huge step forward’
Founder Hans Klos of Sintecs: ‘The acquisition by VDL feels like a natural and significant step forward for Sintecs and Scalys. With VDL’s knowledge, scale and technological strength, we can continue to deepen our expertise, innovate faster, and support our customers even better. It gives us room to grow, while not only remaining who we are, but also further strengthening and expanding our identity. As part of the VDL Group, we will have the opportunity to increase our impact and pursue our ambitions.’
‘Electronics competencies further expanded’
President and CEO 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, we have already made significant progress in the field of electronics in recent years with VDL TBP Electronics and VDL Rena Elektronica. With the skilled employees of Sintecs joining our ranks, our electronics expertise will be further expanded, particularly in the areas of development and support for the manufacturability and testability of electronics in our factories. This will enable us to serve our customers even better and become even more relevant to their critical processes.’
About Sintecs
Sintecs is a technology partner specialising in electronics design, embedded software, and PCB design and analysis. The company supports organisations in developing reliable, scalable and safely designed electronic solutions for high-tech and demanding industrial applications. As part of VDL Groep, Sintecs will contribute to the realisation of complex, integrated technological projects within the business group.