History

1980

Higher Technical School of Engineers Professor Dr. Juan José Martínez García creates the working group for the Flight Mechanics Chair as the true foundation of GMV.

1984

With a small core of collaborators, Juan José Martínez García founds the first company in what today is the GMV international business group and lands a contract for the European Space Agency’s Operations Center (ESOC).

1988

GMV is distinguished as a Center of Excellence in Orbital Mechanics by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Early 1990s

GMV decides to diversify its activity to other sectors: transportation, telecommunications, and information technology. GMV’s introduction into those sectors make the company a pioneer in fields such as the Internet and satellite navigation applications.

1994

GMV installs the first firewall system in Spain.

GMV develops the first GPS-based fleet location and management systems. This enables the company to start transferring the knowledge and experience obtained in the space sector to other markets.

1998

GMV implements the first SMS-Internet gateway in Spain.

1990s

The 1990s also saw GMV consolidate its position in defense, especially in the field of command and control systems, military applications of satellite navigation systems and simulation.

Late 1990s

GMV has nearly 300 people in its workforce. Revenue is now over €20 million, of which nearly 50% comes from sectors such as Transportation, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.

2000

GMV and the leading companies in the Spanish aerospace sector create the company Galileo Sistemas y Servicios, S.L. (GSS) to promote the development and operation of the European satellite navigation system Galileo. GSS obtains a 12% stake in the European consortium Galileo Industries S.A.

2001

GMV founder and chairman, Dr. Juan José Martínez García, dies, leading to a change in GMV's executive structure. The position of chief executive officer is created, and Dr. Mónica Martínez Walter becomes chairwoman.

2004

GMV begins its international expansion with the creation of a subsidiary located in the United States. The activities of the new subsidiary focus on the American aerospace market and it aims to become a trusted supplier in that sector.

2005

GMV reaffirms its international development and growth strategy with the acquisition of 58% of Skysoft, a Portuguese company with lines of business and target markets complementary to GMV’s. In 2007, the operation is completed with the acquisition of 100% of Skysoft, making it possible to increase the level of organizational integration with the rest of the business group.

2006

In September 2006, the new corporate identity of GMV is officially launched. All brands are unified under a single name, so all subsidiaries now have the new GMV brand as their sole corporate identity.

2007

In 2007, GMV acquires a and 66% in Masisconvi, SA, a company dedicated to the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of advanced payment solutions. In early 2011, GMV completes the acquisition of 100% of Masisconvi, SA, and in 2012, it culminates the integration of the company with its merger through absorption by GMV.

2008

Between 2008 and 2015, GMV continues to grow, but at a more moderate pace. Through GMV’s high level of specialization and excellent competitiveness, as well as its growing international implementation, the effects of the financial crisis are limited. During these years, major contracts are awarded by new clients and firm expansion begins in growing areas of business.

2009 – 2014

GMV opens an office in Malaysia and establishes new subsidiaries in Germany, Poland, Romania, France, Colombia and the United Kingdom.

2015

GMV and the California-based technology firm Syncromatics Corp, provider of SaaS solutions for the intelligent public transportation systems market, sign an agreement through which GMV makes a strategic investment in the capital of Syncromatics. One year later, through its investee Syncromatics, GMV acquires 100% of Mobilitat Works Inc., a technology company specializing in providing solutions on the American market for intelligent on-demand public transportation systems or Paratransit.

2016

In 2016, GMV GmbH, GMV’s German aerospace subsidiary, present on the aerospace, defense, ICT and ITS markets, and INSYEN AG, a leading German company in the field of space mission operations, sign a merger agreement to create the company GMV Insyen AG (under the GMV INSYEN brand), which becomes part of the GMV group.

Late 2016

In late 2016, GMV becomes a shareholder in PLD Space, a young Spanish space start-up that has worked on the design and testing of space launching technologies.

2018

In 2018 and within the investment and growth strategy in which the company is immersed in the ITS sector in the USA, GMV completes the acquisition of Syncromatics, which from then on begins to operate under the GMV SYNCROMATICS brand. With this new investment, GMV expands its expansion capacity in the US, and consolidates its position in the global market for ITS systems for transportation.

Late 2018

GMV is awarded an important contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the maintenance and evolution of the Galileo Ground Control Segment (GCS), the European global satellite navigation system, the flagship of the growing space activity of the European Union. This is the largest contract signed by GMV in its history, in addition to being the largest contract signed by the Spanish space industry to that date.

2020

In 2020, GMV Innovating Solutions Limited, GMV’s British aerospace subsidiary, present on the aerospace, defense, ICT and intelligent transportation systems markets, and Nottingham Scientific Limited (NSL), the leading British company in the field of satellite navigation and critical applications, sign a merger agreement through which GMV becomes NSL’s sole shareholder, creating the company GMV NSL Limited, integrated into the GMV company group.

Late 2020

As a result of the international expansion process that began in 2004 with the creation of the American subsidiary, in late 2020, GMV has operational subsidiaries in Germany, Colombia, Spain, USA, France, Malaysia, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom and Romania, as well as permanent establishments or project offices in Morocco, Cyprus, Mexico and beyond.

2022

GMV signs an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the development of the processing and control centers of the SouthPAN system. This is a joint initiative of the government of Australia and New Zealand to provide both countries with satellite navigation and precise positioning services with satellite integrity. 

2023

GMV is awarded the contract for the development of the Galileo Second Generation in-orbit validation Ground Control Segment. This contract provides continuity and expands upon the previous major contract GMV won in 2018.

GMV and Alén Space, pioneering New Space startup based in Spain, enter into an acquisition agreement which makes Alén Space part of GMV's global business group. This agreement presents a significant increase in GMV’s commitment to the New Space, a field in which the company has been working for years. 

In 2023, once the investment objectives in PLD were met, GMV exits its shareholding position in PLD.

2024

GMV is awarded a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA)  for the development of key technologies aimed at demonstrating the benefits of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT).

Additionally, in 2024, GMV acquires Autek, a Spanish company specializing in cross-domain systems, which strengthening its strategic position in the defense sector.

GMV is also awarded the leadership of the GOVSATCOM Hub, a contract that was key to the future of communications in the European Union.

Today

GMV is currently a multinational group with a presence in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with a workforce of mote than 3,500 people, operating in different high-tech sectors. It has a vast international client portfolio covering every continent.