Hexagon acquiring GNSS provider Septentrio

By Steve Crowe | January 8, 2025

Hexagon, a global leader in precision technologies, has agreed to acquire Septentrio NV, a developer of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technologies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025.

Sweden-based Hexagon said the acquisition will ensure greater accessibility to high-accuracy and high-performance positioning technology with low SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) characteristics. It added that the deal will accelerate the adoption of autonomous systems in existing markets and address the needs of robotics, drones, autonomy and other mission-critical technologies.

The collaboration will merge Septentrio’s GNSS platform with Hexagon’s positioning technology portfolio, which includes sensor fusion, anti-jamming systems, correction services, and perception technologies. 

GNSS provides geolocation and time information to GNSS-enabled devices anywhere on Earth, as long as they have an unobstructed line of sight to the satellites. Robots, especially those operating outdoors, use GNSS to determine their precise location to navigate from point A to point B. GNSS also enables robots to plan and follow pre-defined paths, making it essential for applications like precision farming, delivery robots, and surveying.

Both companies already work extensively with robotics companies in a variety of industries, including agriculture, automotive, maritime, mining, and more

“The combination of Hexagon and Septentrio will transform the positioning industry across existing and new markets, setting new standards for the accuracy, resilience and scalability of positioning technologies, necessary to support and accelerate the journey towards full autonomy,” said Norbert Hanke, interim president and CEO, Hexagon AB.

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Septentrio, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, has around 150 employees, and is expected to generate revenues of over 50 million EUR in 2024, with strong growth rates and margins in line with the Hexagon Group. Septentrio will be reported within Hexagon’s Autonomous Solutions division. Following the acquisition, Septentrio will continue its current business model, supplying GNSS technology to its existing OEM users. 

Hexagon has approximately 24,500 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4 billion EUR. In December 2024, Hexagon announced the acquisition of 3D Systems’ Geomagic suite of interoperable software packages for $123 million. The software can be used to create high-quality 3D models from multiple sources, including laser scanning.

“The combination of Geomagic and our existing solutions will further strengthen our market leadership in 3D metrology and reengineering, demonstrating our commitment to deliver increasingly user friendly tools capable of executing complex tasks, so our customers can bring innovative, high quality products to the market at speed and with confidence. We look forward to welcoming the Geomagic team to Hexagon.” said Hanke.