At what enterprise value was SMITHS DETECTION acquired in 2025?

During the acquisition of SMITHS DETECTION by CVC in 2025, the company was valued at an estimated revenue multiple of below 5x. The transaction's Enterprise Value is estimated to be in the range of 1b - 4b GBP. By registering for free, you get access to complete and exact transaction details including enterprise value, revenue, and EBITDA. Additionally, our database shows that the Industry & Manufacturing industry currently tracks an average EBITDA multiple of 11.1x, providing a valuable benchmark for this transaction.

What was the EV/EBITDA of SMITHS DETECTION when it was acquired by CVC?

The estimated EV/EBITDA multiple for SMITHS DETECTION is in the range of 10x - 18x. For comparison, the Industry & Manufacturing sector currently shows an average EBITDA multiple of 11.1x. Join our community for free to access full valuation data and industry trends.

When was SMITHS DETECTION acquired by CVC?

SMITHS DETECTION was acquired by CVC in 2025.

What was the revenue of SMITHS DETECTION at the time of the deal?

The revenue of SMITHS DETECTION at the time of the deal is estimated to be in the range of 500M - 1b GBP. Register for free to access the full transaction report and exact valuation multiples.

What was the EBITDA of SMITHS DETECTION during the acquisition?

SMITHS DETECTION's EBITDA is estimated to be in the range of 100M - 200M GBP. Join our community for free to access complete and exact deal data.

What is Enterprise Value (EV)?

Enterprise Value (EV) is a measure of a company's total value, often used as a more comprehensive alternative to equity market capitalization. EV includes in its calculation the market capitalization of a company but also short-term and long-term debt as well as any cash on the company's balance sheet.

What is the EV/EBITDA multiple and why is it used?

The EV/EBITDA multiple is a financial ratio that compares a company's Enterprise Value (EV) to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA). It is widely used in M&A and valuation because it allows for comparisons between companies with different capital structures and provides a clear view of operational profitability.

How is the data for the SMITHS DETECTION acquisition sourced and is it reliable?

Mynth data is contributed by a professional community of M&A and Private Equity experts. Each transaction, including the SMITHS DETECTION deal, is systematically cross-verified by our team using private deal documents and official sources. You can also find the official press release for this transaction here: https://www.smiths.com/news-and-insights/news/2025/smiths-group-plc-sale-of-smiths-detection

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Home Database Industry & ManufacturingSMITHS DETECTION

12/2025

SMITHS DETECTION acquired by CVC

UNITED KINGDOM Industrial Equipment / Safety & Security EV 1b - 4b GBP

Context

Smiths Group plc has entered into a definitive agreement to sell 100% of Smiths Detection to CVC Capital Partners, making the final major step in Smiths Group’s strategic portfolio reorganization. The strategic rationale for the deal is to reposition Smiths Group as a focused, high-performance industrial engineering company specializing in flow management (John Crane) and thermal solutions (Flex-Tek). For Smiths Group, the cash sale was preferred over a demerger as it provided immediate value realization for shareholders and capital for a £1 billion buyback program. For CVC, the acquisition represents a rare opportunity to acquire a global leader in the security technology space with high barriers to entry and an attractive financial profile, including a 16.3x operating profit multiple. The combined divestments of Detection and Interconnect represent a total enterprise value of £3.3 billion, effectively unlocking the group's "sum-of-the-parts" value.

SMITHS DETECTION, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2025, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.1x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Smiths Detection is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for the military, air transportation, homeland security, and emergency response sectors. The organization specializes in advanced sensors and software that identify explosive, chemical, biological, and nuclear threats, as well as narcotics and contraband. Its business model focuses on mission-critical security infrastructure for airports, ports, and border crossings, utilizing sophisticated X-ray imaging and trace detection technologies. With a history of technical innovation, the entity provides comprehensive life-cycle services and digital solutions to ensure the safety of global travel and trade. Prior to its divestment, it operated as a major division of Smiths Group plc, maintaining a high-margin profile driven by regulatory requirements and long-term service contracts.

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2024

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b GBP

Revenue range: 500M - 1b GBP

EBITDA range: 100M - 200M GBP

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

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Target: smiths detection

Acquirer: cvc