Hexagon AB occupies a distinctive position in the European technology landscape: its software is built on measurements of the real world. Based in Sweden and listed in Stockholm, the group combines precision instruments, data capture solutions and professional applications. Its scope extends from industrial workshops to construction sites, with a consistent approach: turning physical data into actionable information for design, production and operations management.
A transformation driven by acquisitions
Hexagon’s current profile has been shaped by a series of acquisitions and a gradual refocusing on measurement technologies and software. The acquisition of Brown & Sharpe in 2001 strengthened its presence in industrial metrology. The acquisition of Leica Geosystems in 2005 expanded its expertise into surveying and geospatial data capture. This is the company specializing in measurement instruments, distinct from the camera manufacturer Leica Camera.
The acquisition of Intergraph in 2010 marked an important step in the expansion of its software business, particularly for engineering and geospatial applications. In 2017, the acquisition of MSC Software added expertise in numerical simulation. This trajectory explains a positioning that goes beyond that of a traditional software publisher: Hexagon has grown at the intersection of instrumentation, computing and business processes.
Measuring, modeling and putting data to use
The group’s technologies are used at different stages of a project. In industry, metrology equipment and software are used to check a part’s dimensions, compare its geometry with a reference model and document its conformity. These operations help detect manufacturing deviations and support quality improvement initiatives.
In construction and land-related professions, surveying instruments, laser scanners and processing tools make it possible to survey a site, represent a building or track progress on a construction project. The data collected can enrich digital models and facilitate exchanges between design offices and field teams. The value lies as much in the precision of the measurements as in their integration into the software used every day.
This interplay between hardware and software is a central element of Hexagon’s business model. It brings maintenance, training and support requirements that are particularly important when solutions are integrated into production lines or operations demanding a high level of reliability.
What’s next?
Hexagon’s prospects lie particularly in automating measurements and making faster use of collected data. Artificial intelligence can help identify anomalies or speed up certain processing tasks, but its value depends on the quality of the information available. Another challenge for the group will be to make technologies acquired through multiple acquisitions interoperable. In heterogeneous industrial environments, the ability to connect existing tools, secure data exchanges and demonstrate operational gains will remain crucial.