Key Takeaways
- • ASSA ABLOY has agreed to sell HID's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) business unit to Vista Equity Partners, according to the company's announcement.
- • The PKI unit generated approximately $58 million (roughly SEK 570 million) in sales in 2025 and was described by ASSA ABLOY as having a strong operating margin.
- • The unit's portfolio includes PKI SaaS offerings, IdenTrust and HydrantID credential-management capabilities, and ZeroSSL.
- • The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
- • ASSA ABLOY positions the divestiture as narrowing its portfolio while placing the business with a software-focused long-term owner.
Summary
ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to sell HID's Public Key Infrastructure business unit to Vista Equity Partners. The unit provides digital trust, identity, authentication, encryption, and certificate-management solutions, and generated approximately $58 million, or roughly SEK 570 million, in sales in 2025. ASSA ABLOY said the unit produced a strong operating margin on those sales.
The PKI portfolio comprises PKI SaaS offerings, IdenTrust and HydrantID credential-management capabilities, and ZeroSSL. According to the announcement, the transaction is intended to place the business with a software-focused long-term owner as identity and authentication markets continue to evolve. Vista Equity Partners specializes in enterprise software and technology-enabled companies and is expected to provide additional resources for product development and growth.
For HID, the divestiture narrows the portfolio while allowing the PKI business to operate under an owner focused on its specific market. ASSA ABLOY management described the transaction as a positive outcome for customers and employees. Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY, said: "I find it very satisfying that with Vista, the PKI business unit and its employees and customers gain a committed long-term investor, creating new opportunities for the future." Bjorn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID, said: "Our PKI team has built a strong business with a strong customer base, and Vista has the expertise to take it forward as the market evolves."
The sale is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026. ASSA ABLOY employs approximately 64,000 people globally and reported annual sales of about SEK 152 billion. The company operates across physical and digital access markets, including door-opening solutions, trusted identities, and entrance automation.
The PKI portfolio comprises PKI SaaS offerings, IdenTrust and HydrantID credential-management capabilities, and ZeroSSL. According to the announcement, the transaction is intended to place the business with a software-focused long-term owner as identity and authentication markets continue to evolve. Vista Equity Partners specializes in enterprise software and technology-enabled companies and is expected to provide additional resources for product development and growth.
For HID, the divestiture narrows the portfolio while allowing the PKI business to operate under an owner focused on its specific market. ASSA ABLOY management described the transaction as a positive outcome for customers and employees. Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY, said: "I find it very satisfying that with Vista, the PKI business unit and its employees and customers gain a committed long-term investor, creating new opportunities for the future." Bjorn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID, said: "Our PKI team has built a strong business with a strong customer base, and Vista has the expertise to take it forward as the market evolves."
The sale is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026. ASSA ABLOY employs approximately 64,000 people globally and reported annual sales of about SEK 152 billion. The company operates across physical and digital access markets, including door-opening solutions, trusted identities, and entrance automation.
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