In August 2024 Rheinmetall announced that it is to expand its plant engineering portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in the business of Resonant Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a leading South African specialist in plant engineering for chemical applications. An agreement to this effect was signed and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH held 51% of the shares in a newly formed joint venture Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa, and the Resonant Holding shareholders held the remaining 49%.
Now it has been announced that Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH will acquire the remaining 49% shares of Resonant Holdings Proprietary Limited and its affiliates and subsidiaries. The Competition Commission has approved the proposed transaction with conditions, according to one of its statements in May 2025.
The primary acquiring firm, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, is a limited liability company incorporated in
accordance with the laws of Germany. Rheinmetall Waffe Munition controls the following firms in South Africa: Rheinmetall Denel Munition RF Proprietary Limited; Rheinmetall Laingsdale Proprietary Limited and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition South Africa Proprietary Limited.
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition operates in the global defence industry, specialising in the manufacturing of chemicals, ammunition and training and operates through the following key divisions, each specialising in different aspects of defence and automotive technology: (i) vehicle systems; (ii) weapons and ammunition; (iii) electronic solutions; and (iv) power systems.
Following the initial majority share acquisition, the company changed its name to Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd earlier this year. Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa employs around 150 people.
Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa, its affiliates and subsidiaries provides engineering, consulting and project management services and offers proven experience and outstanding expertise in the design and construction of specialised plants. These services relate to fuel fabrication facilities, installation of chemical and energetic plants, design and supply of pollution control equipment, design and construction of highly hazardous facilities, process equipment and pressure vessels, and the design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of engineered centrifugal fans.
The Commission said it is of the view that the proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any market. To address public interest concerns, the merged entity has agreed to conditions which, when considered holistically, justify the merger on public interest grounds. The conditions include commitments regarding procurement from HDPs, implementation of skills development and training initiatives for military veterans and HDPs the construction of a laboratory for a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programme for a school in KwaZulu-Natal and donation of food hampers and blankets to no less than 200 households, amongst others.
