Texelis, a French company, is considered one of the leading specialists in developing military mobility solutions for all types of combat vehicles. Combining technical expertise with a forward-looking vision, the company has successfully transformed from a spare parts manufacturer into a global provider of integrated mobility systems. In this context, Al Jundi magazine met with Mr. Jean Vandel, CEO of Texelis, to learn more about his career, strategic vision, and the company’s role in advancing the latest defense platforms. The following is the interview:
Please give our readers a brief introduction to yourself and your route to becoming Chief Executive Officer, Texelis?
Ans: Many thanks to Al Jundi for this discussion. I have a background of Sales and Business Development in the automotive and Defense business. As head of Texelis’ Defense activities and now CEO, I have been involved in all of Texelis essential changes during the past 15 years, when we rapidly evolved from a parts manufacturer (axles, gearboxes…) to a complete mobility systems designer, developer and producer. Looking from where we come from, I am proud of what we have become, and the new technologies we are now pushing – hybrid drive with our in-hub engines and innovative electrical transmissions for tracked vehicles, which we develop for Edge Group member and robotics specialist, Milrem.
The business model I wanted always relied on partnerships with other companies to create new, complete solutions for Defense, from 4×4 to 8×8 vehicles. And specifically partnerships with foreign companies. We are very proud to work with Serbia, Finland, Indonesia and many others outside of France.
Texelis has been making the news recently! What can you tell us about the company?
Ans: Texelis is the designer and supplier of the mobility solution for the 4×4 Serval new generation vehicle, developed for the French Army with our partners KNDS France. 2,000 have been ordered in 35 different configurations, from APC to SHORAD. This vehicle is also in the process of being procured by Belgium and is considered by other vehicles. We are very proud of the work done on this mobility platform, which we now market for international partnerships under the name Celeris – UAE being definitely considered though we are still actively looking for partners willing to enhance their range with our fully military offer.
On top of the traditional architectures which we provide for our partners around the world, we are also heavily involved in the development of hybrid-drive solutions for combat wheeled vehicles, as well as for tracked platforms, the prime example being the Vector from Milrem which I already mentioned.
What is your offer for 4×4 mobility and what can you bring to the UAE?
Ans: We have a unique offer for Land mobility : a fully military platform, qualified after 5 years of trials and several million invested, a complete team of experts to help adapt it to local specifications and needs, and procedures to help produce it very quickly, actually under one year, which is unheard of in the current market. It is not only words, we have already done it with PT SSE from Indonesia for their P2 Tiger and for INKAS from Canada, not counting the French Army’s Serval which uses the same platform and all the prospects and partners which we are currently working with. All our partners can testify how easy and fast it was to work with us, and they can now offer high-performance, 100% NATO compliant vehicles for their domestic and export markets for a very competitive price. Celeris is a solution which makes everyone grow together : some never did a vehicle over 10 tonnes and now compete in the 18-tob range. Some others even never produced a vehicle! We are very pleased to help everyone join the club and benefit from good ideas from the other members, which we help with offering their specialty : armor, systems, etc.
What is the difference between CELERIS and any other mobility solution?
Ans: Quality aside, CELERIS is the perfect model for local production. On the hardware side, it is by design produced on a kit-by-kit base, with all documentation and support included, which is perfect to set a new production line at a partner’s facility.
Celeris production is running, with more than 200 kits produced per year, for the French Army as well as for export markets: so our kits are available immediately for new programs.
With this running production, affordable prices are guaranteed up to 2035+. CELERIS customers will also benefit from future upgrades and 40 years of support, just like the French Army.
What really makes the difference for us is the extent of the partnership : we advise during vehicle development, we adapt our kits and software to the exact needs, we help with the integration of the kits and the assembly, we train the teams and we make sure our partner is 100% in control of everything when the first vehicle is delivered to the end user. After production, it is their vehicle, with their logo and their design. And all under one year!
Did you create any vehicle with CELERIS yet?
Ans: Three! The first is obviously the French Army’s Serval, with now more than 400 vehicles in service. The Serval is now the backbone of the Army and does everything from APC to anti-drone and missile carrier. The second one is Indonesia’s P2 Tiger, which is completing its industrial trials as we speak. Indonesia has never seen anything like it and it has the potential to be a national symbol of the local industry. Last but not least, Inkas from Canada should present its first Celeris vehicle at Milipol Paris in November. Three vehicles completed which should be the first of their respective series with more than 2,000 orders now, but we could do so many more!
Finally, Would you like to send any message through Al Jundi Journal to the defence community in general, or in the UAE in particular?
Ans: Yes, we definitely want to work in the Emirates and still believe we can find the right partner for us to create new vehicles with us. We now know who the right company might be : a company willing to grow and achieve big things fast, without waiting for political impulse. That company will also understand the value we bring to the table and the importance of true military mobility in the World we live in which cannot accept civilian designs for vehicles created for actual deployment and combat.
» Interviewed by : aljundi
