Renk warns prime contractor delays could slow revenue growth

By Maria Rugamer

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Renk R3NK.DE warned on Thursday that delays at major defence contractors could slow the conversion of its order book into revenue, even as military spending across Europe continues to rise.

Chief Executive Alexander Sagel told analysts the German defence suppliers remained dependent on programme schedules at prime contractors, citing delays to Germany's Boxer armoured vehicle programme, for which Renk supplies transmissions.

"If our primes are not performing on one of these platforms, this might cause delays in our revenue generation," he said.

The comments came a day after Rheinmetall RHMG.DE cut its 2026 outlook for a second time this year, citing delays to Germany's Boxer Arminius programme.

Sagel said the setback reflected delays in customer and contractor decision-making rather than any shift in military procurement priorities.

He later said delays and "maybe even some over-promises" on armoured vehicle programmes such as Boxer were "in general not very helpful".

"It's not a general question mark or even a budget reallocation...from the Boxer to new modern warfare like drones," he said.

Sagel said Renk itself faced no constraints in converting orders into production and deliveries.

He contrasted faster-moving programmes such as Patria's TRAX vehicle with a Leopard-family contract awarded by KNDS and booked by Renk in 2024, with deliveries not expected to begin until 2029.

"We booked it in Q3 2024, but the delivery date is in the second half of 2029. I cannot change it," he said.