Telstra Purple, which brings together Telstra Enterprise’s business technology services capabilities and a number of its recently acquired companies, has announced a plan to acquire two Australia-based companies with mining exposure to bolster its IoT capabilities and accelerate its industry vertical growth ambitions.
Alliance Automation is, Telstra says, one of Australia’s largest independent providers of IoT industrial automation solutions and control systems. Founded in 2010, it is headquartered in Brisbane with several offices around Australia staffed by more than 250 engineers and consultants. It provides services in technical advisory and design, electrical and automation engineering, project management, site installation, business intelligence, operational technology cyber security and continuous support.
Aqura Technologies delivers key technology and telecommunications infrastructure solutions including industrial wireless, complete access networks, unified communications and industrial IoT. A wholly owned subsidiary of ASX-listed Veris, Aqura Technologies has more than 90 staff across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne as well as a fly-in-fly-out workforce that services all parts of Australia.
Following the acquisitions, Telstra Purple will be able to offer professional and managed services capabilities to deliver industrial-grade wireless and fixed networks in remote and underground operations (Aqura Technologies), while expanding the potential for digital transformation services, industrial automation capabilities, digital twins, smart spaces and operational technology cyber security (Alliance Automation), it said.
These acquisitions will bolster Telstra Purple’s presence across mining, energy, oil and gas, utilities and defence projects, and increase its automation and digital transformation engagements, according to the company.
Head of Telstra Purple, Christopher Smith, said the deals were testament to Telstra Purple’s successful growth strategy.
“As our 10th and 11th acquisitions, Alliance Automation and Aqura Technologies will accelerate Telstra Purple’s growth, particularly in IoT, cloud and security, across key industry verticals, which are important building blocks of our T25 strategy,” Smith said.
“Both companies have demonstrated consistent historical growth, close customer and vendor relationships, backed up by a deep pool of specialist talent with a strong pipeline and growth outlook. We were impressed by their people, expertise and capabilities and believe they will be very valuable additions to the Telstra Purple team.”
Managing Director and CEO of Alliance Automation, Matthew Griffiths, said: “The opportunities that arise out of our complementary capabilities, but shared customer and employee centric services base will enable us to jointly provide world class digital transformation strategies to improve operational efficiencies for all our customers.
“Joining Telstra Purple will provide unparalleled value propositions for both our employees and our customers, taking Alliance Automation to the next level of technical capability and accelerating our push toward Industry 4.0 excellence for all of our customers.”
CEO of Aqura Technologies, Travis Young, said: “Our specialist capabilities, coupled with the highly complementary service offerings of the broader Telstra Purple family will deliver more powerful and compelling solutions.
“We can now more rapidly accelerate our growth to meet the significant demand of organisations who are looking to leverage next-generation connectivity as part of their broader digitisation strategies.”
Alliance Automation has the likes of Evolution Mining and Bloomfield Group on its mining project reference list, while Aqura is working with Fortescue Metals Group, BHP and Roy Hill, among others, in the mining sector. Aqura is also taking part in the government-backed 5G Innovation Initiative.
