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A strategic alliance to structure the oceanographic industry
This operation marks a major step in the consolidation of the marine and environmental technologies sector.
By integrating nke Group, Satlink not only strengthens its portfolio of ocean data collection, processing and analysis solutions, but also its geographical presence in Northern Europe and international scientific markets.
The new entity will generate sales of 100 million euros by 2025, with some 280 employees at 13 sites worldwide (Europe, America, Asia and the Pacific).
Two complementary areas of expertise to enhance our knowledge of the oceans
Based in Hennebont (Morbihan, France), nke Group has been designing instruments for measuring and monitoring water quality in both marine and continental environments for over forty years.
Its expertise is built around two main brands:
- nke Instrumentation, dedicated to scientific measurement systems (multiparameter probes, sensors, profilers, etc.);
- nke Marine Electronics, specialized in navigation instruments and onboard systems for yachting and ocean racing.
The Group also includes Aquaread, its British subsidiary integrated in 2023, expert in environmental measurement in coastal and river areas.
For its part, Satlink, founded in Madrid in 1992, has established itself as a major player in satellite tracking, sustainable management of fisheries resources and oceanographic data collection. The group already works with over 10,000 organizations in 130 countries, including research institutes, governments, NGOs and industrial partners.
A shared ambition: science, data and sustainability
This merger brings together two technological pillars under a single umbrella:
- precision oceanographic instrumentation, nke's core business,
- management and analysis of maritime data developed by Satlink.
The aim is to accelerate the development of integrated solutions for environmental monitoring, sustainable management of marine resources and prevention of risks linked to climate change.
The two companies intend to offer a complete platform, from in situ measurement to data visualization, capable of meeting the needs of scientific programs, industrial operators and public maritime policies.
Integration under shared governance
nke will continue to operate under its own brand name, in order to preserve its identity and the relationships of trust built up with its customers. Alain Boschet's current management team will remain in place, guaranteeing continuity of operations and corporate culture.
Mr. Boschet will also invest in Satlink's capital alongside its historical shareholders (Apheon, Artá Capital and Faustino Velasco).
Satlink's founding president, Faustino Velasco, underlines the significance of this union:
"We're joining forces to strengthen our innovation capabilities and, ultimately, improve ocean knowledge and sustainability through cutting-edge technology."
For Alain Boschet, CEO of nke Group, this alliance marks a natural evolution:
"Our combination with Satlink represents a unique opportunity to accelerate our international development and strengthen our R&D capabilities. "
A structuring step for the European marine technology sector
This merger illustrates the dynamic restructuring of the European applied oceanography market, hitherto dominated by a patchwork of independent SMEs.
By creating an integrated global player, Satlink and nke intend to position Europe as a reference in marine science and engineering, capable of competing with North American and Asian groups in the ocean and environmental data market.
