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The announced acquisition brings ECA Group and iXblue together under Groupe Gorgé, with the companies hoping to leverage synergies across robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics.
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As part of the acquisition, the companies hope to leverage a global workforce of 1,500 staff and a yearly turnover of €250 million.
“In addition to our complementary activities, both our companies share a common DNA centred around innovation and entrepreneurship. This acquisition by Groupe Gorgé, that puts iXblue and ECA Group under the same roof, will enable us to create new synergies and strengthen our capacity to invest in research and development to offer solutions that are always at the cutting edge of technology,” Fabien Napolitano, president and chief executive officer of iXblue, said.
It is hoped that the acquisition will enhance the offerings of both companies to their customer base.
“With the combination of the technological expertise and global footprint of the two companies, we will provide unmatched value to our customers through our comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions,” Dominique Giannoni, chief executive officer of ECA Group, continued.
“This operation consolidates our leadership in our markets and offers excellent growth prospects. The teams of our two companies have already started working closely together. We see great development opportunities that we are eager to share with our customers.”
The announcement came as ECA Group expanded its footprint in the Australian market.
In September, it was revealed that ECA Group entered into a partnership with CIMIC Group subsidiary UGL.
Specifically, the agreement aims to establish an Australian operations network for ECA Group’s mine countermeasures, military survey (MCM/MS), and autonomous system technologies.
This is tipped to build the company’s size and scale as part of ECA Group’s push to capitalise on local contract opportunities.
Giannoni said ECA Group’s new Australian subsidiary — ECA Robotics Australia (ERA) — would facilitate the training of Australian personnel operating and sustaining its technologies.
This would be supported by the company’s partnerships with universities and other research organisations.
“We are very proud of the impressive team we have put together to spearhead our Australian operations,” Giannoni said.
“Working with UGL will fast track our plans and ensure we have the local knowledge and spread of people, skill and resources to establish a sovereign capability and tailor our technologies to meet and sustain Australian Defence requirements for the long term.”
As part of its contribution, UGL is expected to leverage its 7,000 employees and supply chain of more than 4,300 Australian companies.
[Related: ECA Group partners with UGL to form Australian operations team]
