2010

2010 Consolidation

In 2002, Thales took over the Sema Group’s (the former ADV/Orga) defence activities in Wilhelmshaven and Bremen. As software providers for maritime combat direction systems, simulations and trainings, Thales and Sema have already cooperated in the past, for example with the F124 frigates and the K130 corvettes for the German Navy. The historically grown and ever more complex structures of the North German locations require an adjustment of the business areas: The location in Bremen is closed down. In 2005, the present three addresses in Wilhelmshaven are merged in the common Südstrandquartier. In 2010, the former subsidiary for integrated navigation systems move from the Luisenstraße, Hamburg, to Kiel. At the same time, the division of work for simulation and radar between the formerly associated locations in Koblenz and Kiel are redefined. Kiel finally hands over the responsibility for land systems and night sight devices to Koblenz and Ditzingen. The most recent step in the consolidation is the move of the Kiel competence centre for naval systems from Kiel-Wellsee to the newly constructed premises in Kiel-Wik.

2014 Eyecatcher in Ditzingen

The employees at the three Baden-Wuerttemberg locations in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Pforzheim and Korntal-Münchingen move to a large new building in Ditzingen. The new Germany headquarters offers room for up to 1,800 employees and is a real eyecatcher located directly on the A81 motorway. In the same year, another former Lorenz property – the factory on the Teltow Canal – is closed down. The Berlin staff from the transportation business area and with its capital representation moves into new premises in the Schützenstraße – in the heart of Berlin and only a minutes' walk from Carl Lorenz‘ first domains.

2019 Security in the digital world

After years of stagnation at the turn of the millennium, Gemalto benefits from the global triumph of the GSM standard in mobile telephony. The market leader for chip cards grows internally and externally. In 2010, the Siemens spin-off company Cinterion Wireless Modules GmbH in Munich and Berlin is acquired that took over the wireless Machine-to-Machine communication from the parent company. In 2014/15, the US-American SafeNet Inc. follows, a leading provider of safe data communications that operates a German subsidiary in Munich. With the acquisition of the Swiss Trüb AG in 2015, its subsidiary Cardag GmbH in Wutha-Farnroda also merges into Gemalto. The Thuringian company specialises on small series and special products in chip card production. With the acquisition of Gemalto that is agreed in 2017 and completed in 2019, Thales positions itself as a broad-based provider of digital safety technology.

2020 Tomorrow's technology

The complexity of modern defence systems leaves no room for national solo efforts in development. France, Germany and Spain therefore agreed on a common Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The core of the programme is a sixth-generation multi-role combat aircraft, supported by unmanned platforms and connected via the so-called “Combat Cloud”. With the cloud and the sensor package, Thales is substantially involved in two FCAS sub-projects that will guarantee future pilots a superior situational awareness.

And there is also a go-ahead for another large project. The Dutch Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and its partner Blohm + Voss win the bid for the construction of four new MKS180/F126 frigates for the German Navy. Thales’ competence is also on board here. Together with their Dutch colleagues from Hengelo, the employees from Kiel and Wilhelmshaven are responsible for the integration of fire control and combat direction systems. The delivery of the first ship is scheduled for 2028.

2020 Well positioned for the next decades

In the year of its 140th anniversary, Thales Deutschland is the Group’s third largest national subsidiary employing 3,800 of the 83,000 employees worldwide. In 2020, we are pride of what we have achieved but at the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts on transportation and many other sectors. Thanks to its wide portfolio, diversified markets, long-term partnerships and forward-looking investments in future-oriented high-tech solutions for today’s and future opportunities and challenges, the Thales Group remains in the best possible position. Together with our customers and partners we face the coming decades with optimism!