KNORR-Bremse has completed the acquisition of Duagon, a Swiss supplier of embedded electronics and signalling technology for onboard and lineside applications. The value of the transaction, first announced in September 2025, has not been disclosed.
Duagon’s expertise in electronics, software and digital solutions is expected by Knorr-Bremse to provide opportunities for considerable growth, particularly at its Selectron business providing communication and control systems for the rail sector, as well as the KB Signalling business.
The combined expertise of 1000 electronics and software personnel will enable Knorr-Bremse to develop key technologies, the company adds. These include custom solutions and microprocessors for control and communication systems for rolling stock, as well as safety-critical components for signalling systems.
By integrating Duagon, Knorr-Bremse says that it will also benefit from considerable synergy effects, consolidating and strengthening its expertise in areas such as research and development and purchasing. Duagon achieved a compound annual growth rate of around 15% between 2022 and 2025, a trend which is expected to be sustained over the coming years. Excluding integration costs, Knorr-Bremse expects Duagon to generate an operating Ebit margin of around 16%.
From 2028, Knorr-Bremse is forecasting Ebit-effective run-rate synergies in the range of €5m to €10m, with the Selectron and Duagon businesses generating annual revenue of approximately €250m.
“Acquiring Duagon will strengthen our future positioning from both a technological and a financial perspective,” says Knorr-Bremse CEO, Marc Llistosella.
“In particular, it will allow us to tap into significant business opportunities for fast-growing, high-margin product lines for trains and rail infrastructure.”
