Welte Cardan Service

What Welte Cardan Service does

Welte Cardan Service (legal entity: WELTE CARDAN-SERVICE WEYERSHEIM S.A.S.) is a French specialist manufacturer and distributor of cardan (drive) shafts and precision universal joints serving industrial B2B customers across Europe. Founded in 1989 in Weyersheim, Alsace, the company operates as part of the privately held Welte Group conglomerate, with wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland, totaling 14 physical sites across six countries. The firm fabricates custom cardan shafts to specification (single units or series) and stocks more than 3,000 spare-part references covering major brands, alongside repair and engineering-office services.

Its core technology is mechanical transmission engineering: cardan shafts, single/double/telescopic universal joints organized into seven standardized series (crimped axles, outer/inner ring, needle bearing, spheroidal ball joint, stainless-steel crimped), plus complementary bellows and splined shafts/bushings. Quality management is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by DEKRA, with products manufactured to first-mount (OEM) standards and a 12-month warranty. The business model is sales-led, direct B2B distribution: quote-based pricing, no e-commerce storefront, with a dedicated commercial and OEM sales team supported by website contact forms and email/phone engagement.

End-markets are industrial and span four primary verticals: road transport / industrial vehicles, construction and agricultural equipment (BTP), maritime and railway applications, and light commercial vehicles. Revenue streams include custom manufacturing, branded cardan distribution, precision-joint and component sales, spare-parts trading, and workshop repair services. The registered share capital is €250,000; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Welte Cardan Service

Legal name

WELTE CARDAN-SERVICE WEYERSHEIM S.A.S

Website

https://cardan-service.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Welte Cardan Service is a French SME that custom-manufactures and distributes cardan drive shafts, precision universal joints, and 3,000+ spare-part references for industrial B2B customers across road transport, construction/agricultural, maritime, and rail verticals in six European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Mechanical Power Transmission Components

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Transmissions & Transaxles Rebuild/Remanufacturing (Automatic/Manual/DCT/CVT) (TLAKALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cylinder Heads, Blocks & Rotating Assemblies Machining/Rebuild Services (TLAKALAG)

Keywords

• Cardan shaft manufacturing
• Drive shaft transmission
• Precision universal joints
• Industrial power transmission
• Automotive transmission components

Headquarters

HQ city

Weyersheim

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Cardan Shaft Manufacturing: Design and fabrication of custom cardan shafts (drive shafts) to customer specifications, produced as single units or in series. Revenue generated through direct sales to industrial customers.
2. Distribution of Branded Cardans: Stocking and distribution of cardan shafts from major brands, offering a wide selection of standard components alongside custom manufacturing.
3. Precision Joints and Components: Sale of precision joints (universal joints), bellows, splined shafts and bushings, and other transmission components from their catalog.
4. Spare Parts and Trade: Negotiation and distribution of over 3000 spare parts references for industrial cardan applications.
5. Repair Services: Repair services for cardan shafts and related transmission components in their workshops.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Welte Cardan Service designs, manufactures, and distributes custom and standard cardan (drive) shafts, precision universal joints, bellows, splined shafts, bushings, and related transmission components, alongside repair, distribution, and engineering services for industrial B2B customers across Europe. Production is offered as single units or series, with over 3,000 spare-parts references stocked at multiple European facilities.

Product overview

Welte Cardan Service is a specialist in cardan shaft (drive shaft) transmission systems, offering custom and standard manufacturing, repair, and distribution services. The product portfolio centers on cardan shafts and precision joints available in multiple series (1-7) covering different configurations: single universal joints, double universal joints, and telescopic universal joints. Complementary products include bellows and splined shafts/bushings, with over 3,000 spare parts references. The company operates manufacturing, repair, distribution, and engineering services under one roof, serving industrial vehicles, construction equipment, maritime, and rail sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cardan Shafts (Transmission à cardan) Custom-manufactured cardan (drive) shafts for power transmission, available as bespoke units or series production, sold to industrial B2B customers.
• Spare Parts (Pièces détachées)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3000 spare parts references available for industrial cardan applications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• IFA Group: IFA Group is a German-based manufacturer specializing in cardan shafts and universal joints for industrial vehicles, agricultural equipment, and specialized applications. A direct mid-sized European competitor in the same niche.
• Dana Incorporated: Dana is a global leader in driveline solutions (including Spicer driveshafts) for automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets. Directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to Welte's cardan shaft business.
• Neapco: Neapco designs and manufactures driveline solutions including driveshafts, propshafts, and cardan shafts for automotive and industrial markets. Comparable product category, though with a different geographic focus (North America/Europe).
• GKN Automotive (Dowlais): GKN Automotive is the world's largest manufacturer of constant velocity joints and driveline systems, including cardan/drive shafts for automotive OEMs. It is the global benchmark for the niche where Welte operates, offering far greater scale and OEM integration.
• Meritor (Cummins): Meritor (now part of Cummins) supplies drivetrain, mobility, braking, and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicles and industrial markets, including cardan shaft products. Comparable end-markets and driveline product overlap.
• Bondioli & Pavesi: Italian manufacturer of cardan shafts, universal joints, and power transmission components for agricultural and industrial applications. Directly comparable product offering and European SME structure to Welte.
• Walterscheid Powertrain (GKN): German-based manufacturer of cardan shafts, universal joints, and driveline components for agricultural machinery and off-highway vehicles. Closely comparable product portfolio and target markets to Welte.

Broad incumbents

• Flender (Siemens): Flender (now part of Siemens) is a global manufacturer of mechanical drive systems including gear units, couplings, and industrial transmission components. Comparable industrial customer base, though focused on larger-scale drive systems rather than cardan shafts specifically.
• SKF: SKF is a global leader in bearings, seals, and mechanical power transmission products. While not a cardan shaft specialist, SKF serves overlapping industrial and automotive customers with adjacent power transmission components.
• Voith Turbo: Voith provides industrial drivetrain and power transmission solutions including couplings, cardan shafts, and turbo transmissions for rail, marine, and industrial applications. Overlapping product offering in heavier-duty cardan applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/welte-cardan-service-france

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Welte Cardan Service