Ineos Automotive, the manufacturer behind the Grenadier off-road vehicle, has acquired Kavango Engineering, a prominent vehicle conversion specialist based in Botswana. Following the acquisition, the company will now operate under the name Ineos Kavango.
Located in Maun, northern Botswana, near the Okavango Delta, Ineos Kavango’s 5,000-square-meter facility features extensive fabrication and assembly areas. The skilled 70-person team handles approximately 200 vehicle conversions annually, with the original founders of Kavango Engineering continuing their involvement in the business.
This acquisition allows Ineos Automotive to enhance its vehicle conversion and maintenance capabilities. Ineos Kavango will focus on custom conversions and ongoing maintenance for the Grenadier Station Wagon and Grenadier Quartermaster pickups. These vehicles will be tailored for diverse applications such as conservation, safari, anti-poaching, veterinary care, primary healthcare, and film production.
Ineos Kavango has already created a Safari version of the Grenadier, using a donor production prototype vehicle. The conversion included a raised ride height, relocated roof-mounted switchgear to the center console, and a lightweight roll-back canvas top in place of the original roof. The vehicle also features a foldable windscreen and tiered seating to enhance passenger views.
Lynn Calder, CEO of Ineos Automotive, commented, “This acquisition is a crucial step in fulfilling Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for the Grenadier to play an essential role in global conservation and environmental efforts. Bringing the Kavango team in-house will enable closer collaboration with our engineering and manufacturing teams to optimize processes and better serve these specialized needs worldwide.”
Charles van Rensburg, CEO of Ineos Kavango, added, “Botswana is a global leader in conservation, and we will continue supporting its efforts as well as those of other nations and organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa. There are numerous opportunities in other sectors that demand durable, capable off-road vehicles with customized designs. Our goal is to sustainably expand the business, create more high-skilled jobs, and diversify the local economy for the benefit of the community.”