PONAR Wadowice S.A., one of Europe’s leading technology companies in the field of advanced dual-use oli hydraulics, signed an agreement on 24 April 2026 to acquire a 51 per cent stake in CASP System sp. z o.o., one of Poland’s largest companies specialising in the design and manufacture of non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment, which enables the verification of product quality without interfering with their structure, functionality or technical condition.

CASP System’s customers include major global aerospace companies such as Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo and Safran. The company also works with the defence sector, including Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (the Polish Armaments Group).

Non-destructive testing is one of the fastest-growing industrial sectors in Europe. Alongside traditional areas of application, such as the oil & gas and aviation sectors, it is playing an increasingly important role in defence projects, where quality, safety and reliability requirements are of paramount importance.

The acquisition of a majority stake in CASP System marks the next step in building a strong engineering partnership. “Thanks to the unique expertise and many years of experience of the CASP team in the field of NDT testing, we are extending our control over a key element of our technological process. We are also making a stronger entry into the aviation sector,” emphasises Marek Warzecha, CEO of PONAR Wadowice S.A.

Non-destructive testing can be carried out both during the manufacturing stage and whilst equipment and structures are in service, enabling their technical condition to be assessed on an ongoing basis without affecting their durability or continued usability.

– They enable us to verify product quality without causing accelerated wear and tear – explains Marek Warzecha, CEO of PONAR Wadowice, adding – in modern industry – not just in the defence sector – they are an indispensable solution. The integration of CASP System’s expertise into our group is a natural complement to our capabilities and directly translates into the quality, durability and reliability of the products we offer.

Under the terms of the agreement, the existing shareholders of CASP System, who currently form the management team, will retain a 49% stake in the company. They will continue to be involved in its day-to-day operations and management for a period of at least five years.

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PONAR - ENGINEERING MOTION FOR GLOBAL INDUSTRY

The PONAR Wadowice Group is one of Europe’s leading technology providers in the field of advanced dual-use oli hydraulics. Drawing on its own expertise, it designs, develops and manufactures highly specialised components and complete hydraulic systems that form an integral part of modern industrial and military platforms.

PONAR’s solutions are used in a wide range of challenging civil sectors, including the engineering, offshore, energy and aviation industries, as well as by manufacturers of specialised machinery. The Group works with over 3,000 customers worldwide, including major corporations such as Caterpillar, Alstom, ArcelorMittal, Komatsu, Palfinger and Pratt & Whitney, providing comprehensive product lifecycle support – from design and development, through production and implementation, to servicing and the supply of spare parts.

PONAR’s advanced oli hydraulics technologies are used, for example, in gun stabilisers and brakes, track tensioners, hydraulic power units, platform stabilisation and radar levelling systems, as well as in complete hydraulic systems and hydropneumatic suspensions designed to meet the specific technical requirements of customers and industrial and military platforms.

PONAR is a qualified supplier of oli hydraulics components for military applications and holds NATO certification and a licence from the Ministry of the Internal Affairs and Administration, as well as the AQAP quality management system required for defence sector production. It supplies critical technologies used, amongst others, in the Krab self-propelled howitzer, the Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle, military command and staff vehicles, mobile radar stations (including the Bystra radar), and the Poprad air defence systems, as well as in other combat and logistics vehicles manufactured in Poland. The Group is thus participating in key programmes for the modernisation and expansion of the Polish Armed Forces. PONAR is also expanding its activities in the field of artillery systems. Through PK MIL, a joint venture, it is participating in a project to launch the production of the Bogdana self-propelled howitzers in Poland, thereby fulfilling the priorities of the ReArm Europe initiative.

The Group’s technological development is underpinned by its in-house research and development centre, design facilities and proprietary know-how developed by a team of over 150 engineers.

The PONAR R&D Centre is responsible for improving existing products and developing new generations of components and complete hydraulic systems, including ultra-high pressure (UHP) technologies. Its engineering expertise enables the comprehensive implementation of projects, resulting in the development of a growing portfolio of patents and the creation of solutions for use in demanding industrial sectors.

PONAR has two main centres of expertise: a component manufacturing plant in Wadowice and a systems centre in Łaziska Górne, which specialises in the design and integration of complete hydraulic systems, as well as plants in Lubań and Ostrów Wielkopolski.