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09/2024100%

Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics acquired by Spectris

AUSTRIA Industrial Equipment / Special Machinery / Instrumentation & Measurement EV €100–350M

Context

Spectris plc has announced the acquisition of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics from AVL List GmbH, as part of its strategy to bolster its precision measurement technology offerings and solidify its position in the advanced sensor market. Following the transaction, Piezocryst will be integrated into Spectris' Dynamics division and become part of the HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær) business, which specializes in measurement, testing, and analysis solutions. The acquisition enables HBK to expand its product portfolio through Piezocryst's piezoelectric technologies, while strengthening its presence in the high-performance pressure and vibration sensor segments. The solutions developed by the Austrian company complement the group's existing capabilities in the automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial sectors. This acquisition marks a significant step in Spectris Dynamics' consolidation strategy, which aims to build a global reference platform in pressure and vibration measurement technologies for the most advanced applications. From a financial perspective, the transaction is expected to be immediately accretive due to the target's high profitability profile and is anticipated to generate commercial and operational synergies by 2027.

The acquisition of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics is part of the growth strategy of Spectris, which already has several external growth operations under its belt, notably Sciaps Incorporated in 2024.

Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics, which reported an EBITDA margin of 30.0% in 2024, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 16.2x, representing a premium to the average observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.1x in 2024).

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Target

Established in the 1950s and headquartered in Graz, Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics is a leading specialist in high-precision piezoelectric sensors designed for demanding industrial environments. The company primarily designs and manufactures pressure sensors and accelerometers that enable precise measurement of physical phenomena under extreme conditions of temperature, vibration, or pressure. Its solutions are deployed in various sectors, including automotive, aerospace and defense, energy, and advanced industrial applications. With several decades of expertise in piezoelectric technologies, Piezocryst has built a solid reputation for the reliability, durability, and accuracy of its products. The company's sensors enable its clients to optimize the performance of engines, machines, and complex industrial processes by providing highly accurate measurement data. This technical expertise has allowed Piezocryst to establish strong positions in niche markets characterized by significant technological barriers to entry.

Ent. Value

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€133.5m

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

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EV / Revenue

4.9x

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EV / EBITDA

16.2x

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (EUR)

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Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2024
27.5m
8.3m
[members only]
2023
€10–30M
€5–25M
[members only]

Other operations with Spectris

Other operations with Spectris
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
07/2025KKRSPECTRISUNITED KINGDOMLab & Scientific Equipment
07/2024SPECTRISSCIAPS INCORPORATEDUNITED STATESLab & Scientific Equipment
07/2024SPECTRISMICROMERITICS INSTRUMENT CORPORATIONUNITED STATESLab & Scientific Equipment
05/2022SPECTRISDYTRAN INSTRUMENTSUNITED STATESSensors & Optics
07/2021SPECTRISCONCURRENT REAL-TIMEUNITED STATESEngineering & Design Software
01/2018SPECTRISCONCEPT LIFE SCIENCESUNITED KINGDOMCRO / Clinical Trials

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €100–350M

Revenue range: €10–30M

EBITDA range: €5–25M

EV/Revenue range: 2x - 6x

EV/EBITDA range: 15x - 25x

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics by Spectris are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Press release: view release

Target: piezocryst advanced sensorics

Acquirer: spectris

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers Spectris’s acquisition of 100% of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics, an Austrian company specialised in Special Machinery, in 2024.

How was the acquisition of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics by Spectris valued, and what multiples were paid?

The transaction valued Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics at an enterprise value of €133.5m, implying an EV/EBITDA multiple of 16.2x and an EV/revenue multiple of 4.9x.

What were Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics reported annual revenue of €27.5m and EBITDA of €8.3m (FY 2024).

How does the valuation of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics compare to benchmarks in the Industry & Manufacturing sector?

At 16.2x EBITDA, the acquisition of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics was priced at a premium compared to the prevailing benchmark for the Industry & Manufacturing industry in 2024, which stood at 11.1x. The transaction’s EV/EBITDA multiple of 16.2x was above the 11.1x median recorded in mynth’s Austria Industry & Manufacturing transaction sample for 2024. The descriptive comparison is based on 15 transactions with available EV/EBITDA multiples from differences in size, growth, profitability that may affect comparability.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

The details of this transaction are sourced directly from the official corporate announcement published on the parties’ institutional website, ensuring primary-source verification of the closing and perimeter.

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