Construx acquires CBE Group, key supplier to UK tunnel projects

The deal expands Construx’s presence in the UK market, where CBE has supplied moulds for landmark projects including the Channel Tunnel and Thames Tideway Tunnel. For the Tideway super sewer, CBE delivered more than 160 moulds for tunnel segments up to 8.5 m in diameter, with production carried out at the Thamesport casting facility in Kent.

With the acquisition, Construx gains CBE’s expertise in segmental formwork and heavy lifting technologies, via subsidiary Acimex, adding vacuum handling equipment to its portfolio. This broadens the group’s offer to precast manufacturers and contractors working on large-scale tunnel and infrastructure projects.

The move follows Construx’s earlier acquisition of German circulation plant specialist Weckenmann, finalised in 2024, which marked its entry into automated precast production systems. That deal was seen as completing Construx’s portfolio by adding circulation plants and machines to its existing formwork and mould solutions.

Adding CBE and Acimex now brings the group’s consolidated turnover to around €100 million (£85 million) and its workforce close to 700 employees.

Anthony Jannes and Ward Demyttenaere, founders of Construx, said the deal created “a unique combination of scale, technical expertise and market coverage” across precast formwork, machinery and lifting systems.

For the UK’s concrete construction sector, the acquisition strengthens the supply chain for tunnel segment production at a time when projects such as HS2, Silvertown Tunnel and the Lower Thames Crossing are driving demand for precast lining solutions.

Impact on the UK concrete sector

• Stronger supply chain for tunnelling
  With CBE now part of Construx, UK contractors have reinforced access to moulds and carousel systems for tunnel lining segments — critical for projects such as HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing.
• Proven UK project record
  CBE supplied moulds for the Channel Tunnel and over 160 moulds for Thames Tideway, demonstrating established delivery capacity in the UK.
• Technology gains
  Acimex’s vacuum lifting solutions could enhance handling of precast elements on UK sites, improving both safety and efficiency.
• European consolidation
  Bringing together Construx, Weckenmann and CBE reduces fragmentation in the precast equipment market, potentially giving UK yards more integrated, reliable solutions.
• Automation for high-volume production
  With Weckenmann’s circulation plants (acquired in 2024) now under the same roof as CBE’s mould expertise, UK precast yards could accelerate production of tunnel segments for HS2 and future infrastructure projects.