Luxembourg investment holding company HLD Europe has announced its acquisition of Photonis from ARDIAN.
HLD Europe is betting on European cutting-edge technologies by investing in the optronics expert at the expense of the American Teledyne, whose bid was blocked by the French government.
Photonis is a high-tech company with 80 years of experience in the design and manufacture of electro-optical components and high-precision sensors. Photonis is particularly well known for manufacturing image intensification tubes for night vision goggles and widely used by international armed forces across the globe. It is a world leader and the only European player within this field. With a turnover of approximately €150 million for 2020 and a workforce of nearly 1,000 employees, Photonis is present in more than 50 countries and has production sites in France, the Netherlands and the United States. With the support of its new shareholder, Photonis will be able to continue its development and growth by continuing its pursuit of technological innovation. and development of new applications both organically and through acquisitions.
Through this operation, HLD has consolidated its European and international dimension and reaffirmed its interest in advanced technologies.
Cedric Château, Chairman of the Investment Committee, and Constance Laneque, Managing Director, commented: “HLD is an investment group that supports the development of high-performing companies without time limitation on its investment horizon. We think that this specificity has been a key factor in the choice of the new shareholder of Photonis: it allows to realise the company’s development plan and keep investing in technology. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support the development project of Photonis led by Jérôme Cerisier and his team. With the entrepreneurial spirit that drives HLD, we are convinced that we will be able to achieve Photonis' ambitions”.
Completion of the transaction is subject to consultation with employee representative bodies and to the approval of the authorities concerned.
