Navya saved by the Gaussin-Macnica duo – Le Journal des Entreprises
The Commercial Court of Lyon has just decided. The autonomous mobility systems specialist Navya (215 employees; €10.1 million turnover in 2022) will be taken over by the Franche-Comté company Gaussin, a specialist in heavy handling and lifting equipment, and the Japanese electronics group Macnica (4,000 employees; more than €7 billion in turnover in 2022), who are joining forces to create a joint venture dedicated to zero-emission autonomous mobility for the transport of people and goods. This acquisition saves 143 jobs in France and 6 in Singapore, i.e. 70% of Navya’s current workforce. Reclassification proposals will be made to other employees in order to integrate the Gaussin production site in Saint-Vallier (Saône-et-Loire).
Bring accounts back to balance
“The acquisition of Navya’s assets is a source of great pride. Most of the jobs are thus preserved and the talented team transferred to a new company based in France, which will continue its missions” declared Christophe Gaussin, CEO of Gaussin, whose head office is located in Héricourt in Haute-Saône. Last December, the family business notably won a major order for 329 electric tractors for heavy loads – up to 38 tonnes – from the online sales site Amazon.
The takeover of the assets of Lyon deeptech, including the ongoing development of a level 4 autonomous driving software suite, represents an amount of 1.5 million euros, to which is added financing for the activity of the 12 first months of integration of 15 million euros. Two thirds will be supported by Macnica and one third by Gaussin. The new management also intends to optimize the contracts previously signed by Navya to bring the accounts back into balance by focusing on projects with high profitability.
The new joint venture, 51% owned by Gaussin, is aiming for a turnover of 23 million euros from the first year, mainly for export, 38 million euros in 2024 and 120 million euros in 2025. Indeed, from 2025, Navya’s level 4 autonomous driving software can be integrated into electric vehicles developed by Gaussin and third-party manufacturers’ platforms for the transport of goods.
Logistics and port markets
The buyers will focus on four key markets: logistics, ports, airports and public and private passenger transport. It will be divided into two business units, the first of which will offer complete solutions for the autonomous movement of containers, trailers and baggage. The second will provide “innovative solutions for people’s mobility by addressing underserved market segments”, the statement said.
Gaussin intends to transfer its team dedicated to autonomous mobility to this new joint venture and acquire the autonomous driving kit developed by Navya in order to expand its offer and provide turnkey solutions for the large-scale deployment of its own vehicles. A technology giant specializing in semiconductors and networking products, Macnica will support the development of autonomous mobility solutions worldwide.
