LCV converter Gruau acquires Onnicar in Italy

LCV conversion specialist Gruau has acquired Onnicar, an Italian company specialising in aluminium bodywork. The acquisition signals the French company’s entry into the Italian market. 

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, involves all three Onnicar sites, at Corneliano, Piobesi d’Alba and Atessa. The Onnicar brand will be maintained for that company’s core product, aluminium skips. Typical Gruau products such as LCVs with isothermic cabins will be introduced in Italy under the French brand’s name. Conversely, the Onnicar expertise in aluminium skips will prove a useful addition to the Gruau product range.  

Gruau has set itself a target of becoming a major global player in LCV conversion by 2022. The French company is already well-established in Poland, Algeria, Spain and the U.S., either via commercial partnerships or joint ventures. It aims to generate between 40% and 50% of its turnover in these and other international markets, compared with around 25% in 2015. Last year, the company managed a total turnover of €220 million.

Image: Gruau