Yanmar CE Invests €6.5M in France and marks a significant operational shift for the company’s European footprint, as investment flows into France and manufacturing activity consolidates away from Germany.
Yanmar CE is committing €6.5 million to its Saint-Dizier facility in France while closing its Crailsheim plant in Germany. The move positions Saint-Dizier as the company’s primary European manufacturing hub, aligning production capacity with anticipated market recovery in the compact equipment sector.
“As the compact equipment market stabilises and returns to growth, now is the right moment to reorganise and invest in capabilities that make us stronger, more agile and even closer to our customers. Our strategy is clear: we are investing in the future,” says Jon Lopez, president of Yanmar CE’s EMEA region.
The Saint-Dizier site will assume full manufacturing leadership in Europe. A new wheel loader production line is being transferred from Crailsheim, supported by the construction of a 5,000m² logistics centre equipped with Kardex Shuttle technology. The facility is also preparing an expanded midi excavator finishing line, where cabs and machine options are installed on units shipped from Yanmar CE’s Chikugo plant in Japan. In parallel, a new prototype workshop dedicated to next-generation product development is under construction.
Approximately 80 new positions have been created across production, engineering and indirect functions. Construction and installation work is nearing completion, with production capacity set to ramp up throughout Q1 2026. The site is expected to be fully operational by April.
Yanmar CE closed its Crailsheim facility at the end of 2025. Around 50 employees and several functions are transferring to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
“Saint-Dizier now has the facilities, space and operational readiness to take over full production and support our next phase of growth,” Lopez says. “This consolidation strengthens our ability to deliver consistent quality, reliable lead times and the high level of service our dealers and customers expect across EMEA.”
The company stated that the restructuring supports development in electrification, connectivity and advanced safety technologies.
“Our transformation is about building strength for tomorrow,” Lopez says. “By moving with clarity and purpose, we are preparing Yanmar CE to operate faster, more efficiently and even closer to our customers.”
With this strategic move, Yanmar CE Invests €6.5M in France reflects a consolidation designed to strengthen manufacturing capability and align regional operations for the next phase of growth.