Global giant acquires materials handling supplier

Mining and construction equipment manufacturer Metso signed an agreement to acquire privately-owned Australian company Brouwer Engineering in July.

Brouwer Engineering specialises in automation, control systems, and electrical solutions for bulk materials handling solutions in industrial and mining and mineral processing sectors.

Combining Metso’s extensive experience in materials handling equipment and related services with Brouwer Engineering’s electrical and control system capabilities will further strengthen Metso’s position to provide a more comprehensive range of solutions to its clients.

Additionally, the acquisition strengthens Metso’s bulk materials handling services business in Australia, with potential to expand these capabilities globally.

“This acquisition is an important step toward Metso Services' ambition to strengthen our automation and control capabilities,” says Metso Services business area president Sami Takaluoma.

He adds Brouwer’s expertise will complement Metso’s capabilities in large mechanical upgrade projects.

“Together, we will offer comprehensive service packages for bulk materials handling equipment upgrades and ensure fast commissioning,” he enthuses.

He states that the company is delighted to welcome new colleagues to Metso and looks forward to starting a journey of collaboration to become the industry’s preferred services provider.

Brouwer Engineering has 31 employees at its office in Perth, Western Australia, and it serves the mining and minerals processing sector.

The company also has extensive design and development experience with all key software and hardware platforms, and it delivers fit-for-purpose, end-to-end solutions using all major programmable logic controller, supervisory control and data acquisition, and human-machine interface platforms.

“We are excited about the acquisition and the opportunities it will bring,” Brouwer Engineering MD Hu Sciberras says, adding that “. . . the acquisition is a great opportunity for our employees to leverage their technical expertise and as a part of Metso, our offering can be scaled up globally”.

Metso has been an industry leader in the bulk materials handling industry for more than a century, with more than 8 000 machines installed globally.

It provides “state-of-the-art solutions” for all mining and aggregate customers.

The acquisition is expected to be closed this month, and the parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value, which has no material impact on Metso’s financials.