Satlink integrates France’s nke Group, forming Europe’s largest ocean tech platform with €100m sales, 280 staff, and 13 global offices
Satlink, the global leader in proprietary ocean technology solutions, has integrated nke Group, a French company with over 40 years of experience in providing innovative, end-to-end instruments for water quality measurement, monitoring, and navigation. Headquartered in Hennebont, Brittany, nke serves thousands of public and private customers worldwide.
This transaction brings together two of the most established players in the sector and represents one of the most significant milestones in the European ocean technology industry in recent years. It creates the largest independent European organisation dedicated to ocean science, data, and innovation.
Following the integration, Satlink now serves more than 10,000 organisations across 130 countries, including governments, research institutions, NGOs, and industrial partners. With 13 offices in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and a network of global partners, the group will close 2025 with projected sales exceeding €100 million and a combined workforce of 280 employees.
Strengthening Global Reach and Innovation
The combination accelerates Satlink’s development of advanced data collection and analysis solutions, enabling better understanding and management of the oceans and their resources while supporting long-term sustainability.
nke brings recognised expertise in water monitoring and has made major contributions to international programmes such as Argo. Together, Satlink and nke will create a unique platform combining world-class instrumentation with advanced data analysis and science-based proprietary solutions to protect and manage marine resources more effectively.
Preserving Brand Identity and Continuity
nke will continue to operate under its own brand, maintaining its identity and trusted customer relationships. The leadership team remains unchanged, ensuring business continuity and preserving the company’s established reputation.
The integration also includes Aquaread, a UK-based manufacturer of portable and fixed water-quality monitoring instruments that is part of the nke Group. This expansion extends Satlink’s capabilities into inland and coastal water monitoring, complementing its existing ocean technologies.
As part of the agreement, nke CEO Alain Boschet will invest in Satlink Group alongside existing shareholders Apheon, Artá Capital, Faustino Velasco, and Satlink’s management team.
Leadership Comments
Faustino Velasco, Founder and Executive Chairman of Satlink, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome the entire nke team, with whom we partner to accelerate innovation, expand our portfolio of solutions, and improve ocean knowledge and sustainability through proprietary technology. The integration strengthens our global reach and, most importantly, brings in an extraordinary team that shares our values and ambition to make a difference.”
Alain Boschet, CEO of nke, said:
“Joining forces with Satlink represents a unique opportunity to accelerate growth and expand our international presence while further enhancing our R&D capabilities. We are confident that this step will bring nke to the next level, and we are very excited to begin this new chapter alongside Faustino and the Satlink team.”