Double acquisition to better serve customers 07 Dec 2017

Swedish provider of construction and related equipment, Atlas Copco, is to acquire two companies. It will acquire the assets of US based Cate Drilling Solutions, a company that distributes and services Atlas Copco drilling equipment and components, and has agreed to acquire Rockdrill Services Australia, a rock drills specialist serving the Australian mining industry. The purchase figures are not being disclosed.

Atlas Copco surface drill rig

Rockdrill developed by Rockdrill Services

Cate Drilling Solutions serves the states of Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Idaho and has a remanufacturing shop and 35 employees.

“Adding the team at Cate Drilling Solutions to our group will enable us to get closer to and better serve our underground construction customers in Central United States,” said Helena Hedblom, President of Atlas Copco’s mining and rock excavation technique business area.

Rockdrill Services Australia is based in Melbourne and has service shops in Kalgoorlie and Townsville. The company develops, remanufactures, services and repairs rock drills used for rock excavation andhas 37 employees.

“The team at Rockdrill Services Australia will be crucial as we expand our presence in Australia and further increase productivity for our customers,” said Hedblom.

Both acquisitions are expected to complete in the first quarter of 2018 and both will also become part of the underground rock excavation service division in Epiroc, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas Copco that will be listed on the stock exchange in 2018 provided shareholders’ approval.

Atlas Copco provides compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and excavating equipment, power tools and assembly systems. It develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics.