Norton Rose Fulbright advises Sandvik on Australian tech company acquisition

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised global high-tech engineering group Sandvik on its agreement to acquire Australian advanced optimisation software and services company, Polymathian Industrial Mathematics.

The acquisition of the Brisbane-based company strengthens Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ optimisation and simulation capability, which uses advanced technology to help mining companies boost productivity. The addition of Polymathian’s software will provide resources companies with a means to optimise their data-driven operations across their entire value chain.

The deal is yet another example of the growing appetite for digital transformation solutions targeted at major resources companies to assist them in modernising their businesses and adding further sophistication to the industry. It is core to Norton Rose Fulbright’s offering to be an advisor across industries on the opportunities to be gained from digital transformation around the world.

The acquisition follows Sandvik’s acquisition of another Brisbane-based consulting and technology business, Deswik Group, earlier this year, which the firm also advised on.

Norton Rose Fulbright corporate M&A partner Marshall Bromwich commented:

“This important acquisition for Sandvik allows it to continue its digital transformation. It builds on Sandvik’s acquisition, earlier this year, of Deswik’s software tools for planning and managing production by combining Polymathian’s automated decision-making and process optimisation capability. We are pleased to be able to continue to advise Sandvik as it furthers its digital strategy for the benefit of its international business.”

The Norton Rose Fulbright team advised on all aspects of the deal, including legal due diligence and negotiating transaction documents. Marshall led the team and was supported primarily by senior associate Linda Lau and associates Neil Nguyen and Michael Lacey.

Norton Rose Fulbright has also advised on a range of technology deals in the energy and resources sector, including:

• advising Sandvik on its proposed acquisition of Deswik Group, a Brisbane-based software business that focuses on mining industry products.
• acting as legal advisors for Gaw Capital Partners on its majority investment in Maoneng Group’s portfolio of BESS and solar development projects across Australia. 
• advised the leading green fuel developer InterContinental Energy on bp’s entry into the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (also known as the AREH project).
• advising Federation Asset Management on its investment in the Riverina and Darlington Point Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in New South Wales.
• advising in relation to bp’s entry into the Asian Renewable Energy Hub – the world’s largest renewables and green hydrogen energy hub planned for the Pilbara region of Western Australia,
• advising ENEOS on its Joint Venture with TotalEnergies to develop onsite B2B solar distributed generation across Asia.