Kiepe Electric GmbH, based in Düsseldorf, has spun off its electrical systems division for trolleybuses: the well-known Swiss manufacturer Carrosserie Hess AG in Bellach in the canton of Solothurn is taking over this branch of the business. Hess and Kiepe have been working together for many years, and numerous Hess trolleybuses are equipped with electrical equipment from Kiepe Electric.
According to a statement from the company, Kiepe Electric intends to focus entirely on its core business of electrical systems and components for rail vehicles, both for new vehicles and for modernisation projects. Hess AG, on the other hand, is positioning itself even more broadly in the market through this vertical integration.
Kiepe was founded in 1906 and was active in the field of trolleybus equipment for decades, even at times when other manufacturers had explicitly withdrawn from this market. From 2002 to 2017, the company was part of Vossloh AG (as Vossloh Kiepe), then belonged to the Knorr-Bremse Group, and was sold in 2023 to Heramba GmbH, which had to file for insolvency in June 2025. This does not apply to Kiepe Electric itself, which continues to operate without restriction.
With the carve-out of the trolleybus division, Kiepe intends to sharpen its strategic focus on the rail business. Support for existing customers will continue to be ensured. The previous contact persons will remain available, while the Italian company Carrosserie Hess AG will take over technical support for existing trolleybus fleets in Italy as an authorised service partner.
29.01.2026
