Noerr advises Alstom on transfer of Görlitz industrial site to KNDS

A Noerr team led by Björn Paulsen, Clemens Schönemann, Stefan Schwab and Maurice Séché has advised the rail technology group Alstom on the transfer of its industrial site in Görlitz to the defence company KNDS. The takeover by KNDS creates sustainable prospects for the site and a large part of Alstom’s workforce in Görlitz.

KNDS plans to produce various components for the LEOPARD 2 main battle tank and the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle as well as modules for different variants of the BOXER wheeled armoured vehicle in Görlitz. The site transfer will occur in stages, with completion expected by early 2027. The first staff transfers, facilitated by a transfer company, and the commencement of production at KNDS are already planned for this year.

Currently, Alstom produces, among other things, double-decker carriages at the Görlitz site. Ongoing projects will either be completed in Görlitz or relocated to other production sites. 

KNDS plans to hire at least 350 and up to 400 of the approximately 700 Alstom employees in Görlitz. The employee transfer, a key aspect of the project, was closely coordinated with Alstom’s employee representatives and German trade union IG Metall.

Advisors to Alstom:

In-house:

Carsten Carl (Vice President Legal DACH), Alexander Kolodziej (Cluster Legal Counsel)

Noerr:

Corporate/M&A: Björn Paulsen (partner, Hamburg), Maurice Séché (partner, Düsseldorf), Uwe Brendler (associated partner, Dresden), Meret Pettirsch (senior associate), Julius Heimann (associate, both Düsseldorf)

Employment & Pensions: Stefan Schwab (partner), Paul Tophof (senior associate), Mercédes Hummel (associate, all Berlin), Daniela Reinhardt (associate, Frankfurt)

Real Estate: Clemens Schönemann (partner), Jacob Mudrich (senior associate), Tim Lieder (associate, all Berlin)

Tax: Steffen Arlich (associated partner, Munich)

Antitrust & Competition: Jens Peter Schmidt (partner), Sven Betzendörfer (senior associate, both Brussels)

Data Protection: Pascal Schumacher (partner, Berlin)