Groupe HLD Acquires Photonis (now Exosens) from Ardian
November 18, 2025
Groupe HLD (HLD Europe) acquired Photonis Group (rebranded Exosens) from Ardian in 2021 in a reported €370 million buyout. Under HLD ownership Exosens expanded through nearly ten add-on acquisitions, grew to roughly 1,600–1,900 employees with ~€394m turnover, and completed an IPO on Euronext Paris in June 2024.
- Buyers
- Groupe HLD (HLD Europe)
- Targets
- Exosens (formerly Photonis Group)
- Sellers
- Ardian
- Industry
- Aerospace & Defense
- Location
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- Transaction Type
- Buyout
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