Hexagon AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has recently announced that the Board of Directors has authorised management to evaluate a potential separation of its Asset Lifecycle Intelligence (ALI) business (“NewCo”) by way of a Lex Asea distribution (or “spin-off”) to its shareholders. Hexagon is evaluating listing options for NewCo in the U.S. and Sweden.
NewCo is also expected to include the ETQ business (currently operating under the Manufacturing Intelligence division), the Bricsys business (currently operating under the Geosystems division) and the Utilities & Infrastructure business that is currently transitioning to ALI from the Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, due to the high level of synergies between these businesses and ALI.
A separation of NewCo would be intended to create two scaled public companies with distinctive operational strategies and financial profiles that establish differentiated positioning for investors to fully leverage the capabilities and potential of each platform.
Hexagon
• Market leading portfolio of industrial and geospatial solutions
• Strong innovation capabilities tailored to serve large global customer base
• Solutions that leverage 3D data through AI-infused cloud platforms
• Creates best-in-class digital twins through automation and sensors
Excluding NewCo, Hexagon had approximately 19,600 employees as of September 30, 2024, and revenues of approximately EUR 4,408 million with an adjusted operating margin (EBIT1) of approximately 28% for the 12 months ended September 30, 2024.
NewCo
• Leading software provider to Fortune 500 companies
• World class portfolio of solutions to manage digital projects and assets
• Leverages the digital twin to improve project and operational efficiency
• Creates actionable intelligence from large data sets
• Poised to capitalise on structural trends towards asset optimisation
NewCo had approximately 5,000 employees as of September 30, 2024, and revenues of approximately EUR 980 million with an adjusted operating margin (EBIT1), before consideration of standalone costs, of approximately 35% for the 12 months ended September 30, 2024.
NewCo would be led by Mattias Stenberg who is currently President of Hexagon’s ALI division. Since joining Hexagon in 2009, Mattias has held various key leadership roles including Chief Strategy Officer and has played a vital role in strengthening Hexagon’s strategic direction.
“Hexagon has established itself as a leader in the technology sector, grounded in the understanding that its business is anchored in two distinct worlds: the physical and the digital. Hexagon’s expertise lies in the precise capture and measurement of real-world data, utilising advanced AI technology to enhance and optimise the physical and digital environment. Meanwhile, NewCo focuses on the digital realm, initiating the world's most complex projects in the design phase with a data-centric digital twin approach.
We believe Hexagon and NewCo will increasingly move in different directions so operating both as standalone companies with a laser focus on each of their respective target markets and technologies will significantly strengthen competitive advantages and add value for both organisations.” says Ola Rollén, Chairman of the Board for Hexagon.
"The potential separation of NewCo offers a unique opportunity to create two global leaders, each poised to thrive. For Hexagon, this means sharpening our focus on capturing and integrating real-time reality data into upstream software and AI-enabled autonomous platforms. This strategic shift will allow us to deliver more specialised solutions, improve capital efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities. It positions Hexagon to accelerate innovation, empower employees, and create greater value for our customers and shareholders," said Paolo Guglielmini, President and CEO Hexagon.
“ALI has grown strategically from a design & engineering technology player into an industry-leading, internationally recognised digital solution provider to asset-centric industries. We have, in the last 7 years, more than doubled our revenue and established a compelling business with an acclaimed product portfolio. I believe additional focus and targeted investment would help further accelerate innovation and revenue growth.” says Mattias Stenberg.
Process Details
Hexagon will provide additional information regarding the separation, spin-off and listing process, as well as future management team and board of directors for NewCo, at an appropriate time. It is the board’s current expectation that the separation process will take 12 to 18 months to complete.
The separation, spin-off and listing would be subject to the approval of the board and shareholders, as well as being subject to other conditions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurances a separation, spin-off or listing will occur.
