UMS grows into pivot in sustainability under the wings of Deutz

For Urban Mobility Systems (UMS) from Oss, a lot has changed in six months. Since the announcement of the takeover by Deutz AG - the day before the bauma - this clean-tech engineering company is suddenly part of a multinational. From a brave frontrunner in the Netherlands, the organization now shines on the world stage. CTO Lars Kool updates us on recent developments behind the scenes.

In the conference room of this Osse technology company, a specialist in developing and building zero-emission powertrains for construction machinery, transport vehicles and defense equipment, Lars Kool sits there relaxed. A burden has visibly fallen from his shoulders now that his legacy has been secured and he can turn his full attention to what he enjoys most: technology. Of course, Kool remains that good-humored busybody, but by all accounts, now that the acquisition is a fact and the integration of various business processes is in full swing, you can tell that the proverbial calm has descended.

Kool illustrates the impact of this turnaround with his new business card, which he proudly pulls out. Enthusiastically, he points to the company logo. Under the familiar letters UMS, Urban Mobility Systems has been replaced with: A Deutz Company. "That changes everything," he has experienced. "Doors that were shut tight are now wide open. Apparently this is what the market wanted, because everywhere we are welcomed with open arms. Deutz is like a tanker solidly on course. As an independent unit within the NewTech division, we are the speedboat to provide innovation and sustainability."

Strong focus

As CTO - or, as he says himself, technical director - Kool experiences up close how strong the reputation of the German parent company is. "As the founder of the four-stroke engine, Deutz is one of the inventors of the internal combustion engine. After more than 160 years, that impact can be felt and felt everywhere. The brand is also known for tractors and agricultural machinery, but the focus is emphatically on modern diesel technology, which can be found in construction machinery around the world." That fact makes manufacturers eager to work with Deutz, a manufacturer that stands for quality
and reliability.

Kool has received offers to sell his company before, but always held off that boat. "I have always said to be a white label, independent of any manufacturer. That's why I fought not to become corporate. Now that we are under the Deutz group, it is clear to everyone that we operate independently." Many OEMs are happy to go along with that story. Instead of investing billions themselves in the development and realization of electric drive lines, they can fall back on the trusted quality, expertise and service of Deutz, with over a thousand service points worldwide. 

New insights

In June, the UMS team visited the engine plant in Cologne to meet with colleagues at NewTech. Despite different backgrounds, this immediately yielded new ideas and insights. Kool: "That is the way forward: joining forces, accelerating development and thus shaping the future of zero-emission. In 2026, we want to produce 700 kits and eventually scale up to 10,000 units per year.      

In this way, prices can come down while quality and safety are maintained. UMS is constantly being copied. But why be satisfied with a copy when you can also get the original?"

Meanwhile, Kool is right at home at the production sites in Cologne and Ulm, between Stuttgart and Munich. "You can't help but feast your eyes there," he enthuses. "There you see what it means to build roughly 100,000 engines and experience firsthand how immense this organization is. UMS is just a small cog in the wheel, but an important part. It shows in everything. When it comes to innovation, people look to us. The Dutch are still regarded as drivers of innovation. The whole world is watching what we do here. We have to cherish that and build on it."

Joining forces

This acquisition, according to Kool, brings together the best of both worlds: speed and innovation from the Netherlands, coupled with German structure and productivity. Deutz explicitly focuses on four pillars in the transition: electric, hydrogen, hybrid and diesel. UMS adds in-depth knowledge in the field of battery-electric propulsion to the organization and for that reason is a valuable addition to the NewTech division. From "We ensure the world keeps moving," the focus is increasingly shifting to "Let's make the world electric. "With another 250 engineers added, we are only now going to really accelerate," he said.  

Behind the scenes, work is underway on a retrofit kit to electrify diesel trucks, because in addition to off-road, the company is also firmly focused on the on-road market. Another exciting project is the realization of an emission-free 150-ton dump truck for mining. Just get to work on that! The plan is to deliver the first electric kits from series production to the production line of leading manufacturers such as Komatsu, Genie and Magni starting in February. "Now customers are actually going to see the difference between a Tier 1 upgrade and conversion," Kool is adamant. "Deutz knows this market inside out, standing for quality, safety and scalability."