Hexagon acquires company within machine control

Hexagon has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of the Swedish company Svensk ByggnadsGeodesi AB, SBG (www.sbg.se). SBG develops, manufactures and supplies complete multidimensional systems for measuring, planning and machine control for excavators, graders, dozers and paving machines. The systems combine software and hardware for surveying and construction industry. With a common software structure, the information can be shared between different parts of the system for use in the office or in the field.

SBG had a turnover of 40 MSEK in 2006 and has in recent years shown an annual growth of approximately 30 per cent. The company is based in Stockholm, Sweden and employs 30 people. SBG will be consolidated as of 15 January 2007 and will immediately contribute to Hexagon's earnings.

"The acquisition of SBG is a vital piece in Hexagon's growth strategy and commitment to global expansion within the measurement market segment machine automation. SBG is the largest European software developer of three dimensional solutions for manoeuvring infrastructure machines with increased efficiency and precision. SBG complements Hexagon's software range and adds an additional well-known brand to our portfolio", says Ola Rollén, CEO and President of Hexagon AB.

"SBG has had a longstanding and successful collaboration with Scanlaser and Mikrofyn, which we acquired during 2006. The companies will now operate as independent businesses within the business area Hexagon Measurement Technologies. The combined product basket will be applied globally", says Ola Rollén.

In recent years the world market for machine automation has grown at a rate of approximately 25 per cent per annum and can today be estimated to approximately 5 500 MSEK. Market growth is driven particularly by the need for increased efficiency of infrastructure machines in the construction, agricultural and mining industries across the world.