COBHAM, UK, July 14, 2025 – Thales has signed a five-year framework agreement with Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division to support quality assurance and operational performance across its sites in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The agreement establishes Hexagon as a technology partner, enabling the integration of metrology and data-driven tools into Thales’ production workflows.
The agreement appoints Hexagon as the supplier of metrology equipment, software, services, and maintenance for all Thales divisions and countries within EMEA. By simplifying procurement and standardizing access to measurement and quality assurance technologies, the partnership enables Thales teams to ramp up production while ensuring consistency and traceability in quality assurance processes.
The agreement was signed during the Paris Air Show 2025 by Didier Perrigault, global expenses procurement director at Thales, and Stephen Chadwick, president EMEA at Hexagon’s manufacturing intelligence division, a milestone in the companies’ collaboration.
Didier Perrigault commented: “Thales’ mission-critical systems and deep tech innovations are experiencing high demand, driving the need to scale up production in EMEA. Delivering consistent quality systems globally is paramount for our customers and working with Hexagon to align the operational processes in, and between, our sites will help us achieve this and also drive efficiency and sustainability as we scale.”
“This strategic partnership represents a major step forward in our relationship with Thales,” said Stephen Chadwick. “By streamlining access to Hexagon’s advanced metrology solutions and local expertise, we’re empowering Thales teams across borders to meet their production ramp-up challenges with greater agility and confidence in quality from parts, to assembly, to delivery.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to:
- Driving global quality: Standardization and the synchronization of measurement processes across Thales’ EMEA operations
- Accelerating procurement and deployment: Introducing metrology technologies such as laser, LiDAR, touch measurement systems and automation to enhance throughput and agility amid production demands
- Strengthening collaboration: Enabling teams and sites to improve consistency, traceability and to scale quality with democratized technologies that bring people and processes together and make quality repeatable
Having collaborated on key programs in France and Italy, the agreement between Hexagon and Thales paves the way for cooperation to support Thales’ industrial transformation and future goals.
Source: Thales
About Thales
Thales Group, headquartered in the La Défense business district of Paris, is a provider of advanced technologies for aerospace, defense, spatial, cyber and digital technologies. Established in 1893 and renamed in 2000, the company operates in more than 68 countries and employs approx. 83,000 people. Its core areas include avionics, air traffic management, radar systems, satellite communications, cybersecurity and secure communications. Thales serves government agencies, transportation networks, financial institutions and commercial aerospace customers. In 2024, the company reported revenue of about €20.6B, supported by €1.1B in self-funded R&D and a record order intake of more than €25B. Its technology is used in aircraft electronics, defense platforms, space systems and secure communications infrastructure. Thales continues to develop solutions for complex operational environments across both civil and military domains.
About Hexagon
Hexagon AB, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, provides digital reality solutions by integrating sensors, software and autonomous technologies. Its products and services are used across sectors including manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, aerospace, automotive and defense. Core offerings include reality capture, intelligent positioning systems, industrial design and situational intelligence tools. The company has pursued a growth strategy through acquisition, completing more than 170 acquisitions since 2000. As of Dec. 31, 2024, it reported net sales of about €5.4 billion and employed approximately 24,800 people across 50 countries. The company continues to expand its global customer base, reflecting a focus on innovation and digital transformation.