William Fry has advised Roshel, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of smart armoured vehicles for commercial and government organisations, on its acquisition of Centigon.

Centigon is a recognised leader in vehicle armouring, security and defence. With coachbuilding roots dating to 1876, the business operates across France, Mexico and Colombia. In France, it designs and builds armoured cabs for heavy-duty military trucks. In Mexico, it produces armoured civilian, cash-transport and tactical vehicles. In Colombia, it manufactures ballistic glass for vehicles and buildings.

The acquisition brings Roshel’s Canadian manufacturing capability together with Centigon’s European and Latin American industrial base. The combined group now covers the full chain from protection materials and components to complete armoured vehicles, serving defence, law enforcement, diplomatic security and commercial customers.

The transaction also strengthens industrial links between Canada and Europe. Canada recently became the first non-European country to conclude a participation agreement under Security Action for Europe (SAFE), the EU’s instrument for common defence procurement among member states. The agreement gives Canadian companies access to European defence procurement on nearly the same footing as European firms, and the enlarged Roshel Group is well placed to benefit.

The William Fry team was led by Corporate / M&A partner Gerard Ryan, with Arushi Dua, Chloe Murtagh and Jessica Hill, and support from Claire Waterson (Competition & Regulation), Kyle Bradshaw (Tax), Nuala Clayton and Richard Smith (Employment, Pensions & Incentives) and Grainne Howe (Company Secretarial).

William Fry congratulates Roshel and Centigon on completing this important and complex transaction and wishes the combined group every success.