ALTIOS supports CLS in the acquisition of Ground Control

A strategic acquisition strengthening CLS’s global leadership in satellite IoT, serving the environment and critical infrastructure security

CLS, a leading provider of innovative satellite services, has acquired Ground control, a UK- and US-based specialist in satellite IoT devices and cloud-based monitoring platforms.

Founded in 1986, CLS is a French company designing and deploying space-based solutions to understand, protect, and sustainably manage the planet’s resources. The company focuses on five strategic sectors: Environmental and climate monitoring, Sustainable fisheries management, Maritime security, Mobility, and Energies and infrastructures. With 35 sites worldwide, CLS employs 1,100 people and generated revenue of nearly €200 million in 2024. As the long-standing operator of the Argos satellite-based data collection and localization system, CLS was tracking objects long before GPS existed. A subsidiary of CNES (French Space Agency) and the investment company CNP, CLS pioneered satellite data collection and geolocation services, which remain at the core of its activities. Over the years, the company has become a global player in satellite IoT solutions.

Founded more than 30 years ago, Ground Control is a leading provider of intelligent satellite IoT connectivity solutions. The company serves enterprise and government clients by simplifying the deployment and management of remote critical assets. The company has earned a strong reputation for designing and manufacturing compact, low-power satellite IoT devices and two-way trackers, used across sectors where connectivity is essential, even in the most remote locations. At the core of Ground Control’s offering is Cloudloop, a flexible and secure platform for device and subscription management, enabling seamless provisioning, optimized data routing, and operational visibility across diverse asset fleets worldwide.

The acquisition of Ground Control adds recognized expertise to CLS in designing rugged satellite communication terminals, ranging from cost-effective, plug-and-play RockBLOCK modules for simple sensor and gateway connectivity to the RockREMOTE series, built to support more advanced IoT and M2M requirements. It also enhances CLS’s portfolio of web-based platforms with Cloudloop, already trusted by critical sectors such as energy, transport, and emergency communications.

Ground Control’s technologies enrich CLS’s extensive ecosystem, which includes beacons, services, decision-support cloud platforms, forecasting models, and AI tools. While CLS and Ground Control sometimes operate in the same strategic sectors, they serve complementary customer bases and provide distinct yet interoperable technologies.

An operation led by ALTIOS Corporate Finance

ALTIOS Corporate Finance advised and supported CLS in its external growth strategy. The mandate included identifying companies, initiating contact with relevant targets and analysing the strategic positioning of Ground Control.
With the successful completion of this transaction, ALTIOS Corporate Finance reaffirms its ability to support its clients through complex operations and to successfully carry out strategic cross-border transactions.
ALTIOS Corporate Finance further solidifies its position as a buy-side M&A advisor in international small and mid-cap external growth operations.

Client Testimonial — CLS

“Combining CLS’s space-based IoT services with Ground Control’s robust hardware and cloud platforms makes perfect sense. This move will allow us to better serve our clients with enhanced proximity, agility, and a broader portfolio of tools adapted to their operational environments.
Thank you, Altios team, for having identified this opportunity. You have demonstrated a good understanding of our strategic ambitions and responsiveness.”
Sébastien THOMAS
Deputy CEO – CLS

ALTIOS Corporate Finance Testimonial

“We are delighted to have facilitated this value-creating partnership for the CLS group, accelerating their international development and enabling complete solutions for their clients. The close and trusting relationship with the management of CLS enabled the successful completion of this transaction under the best possible conditions.”
Alexandre KAPLAN
M&A Director and Partner — ALTIOS