Cummins Inc today announced the acquisition of assets of First Mode, a leader in retrofit hybrid solutions for mining and rail operations. The acquisition includes hybrid mining and rail product lines, and the full IP portfolio which includes hydrogen and battery powertrain solutions. Cummins says this technology “represents the first commercially available retrofit hybrid system for mining equipment, significantly reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) while advancing decarbonisation in operations.”
In addition, Cummins is acquiring First Mode’s commercial portfolio, manufacturing and technical teams in Australia, the United States and Chile. First Mode will continue to serve customers through the transition and is dedicated to meeting customers’ needs by shipping product in Q1 2025.
This acquisition “reinforces Cummins’ commitment to providing innovative and effective decarbonisation solutions and will allow the company to elevate our product portfolio while meeting the needs of our customers on their transition to a lower-carbon future.” First Mode will operate within the Power Systems industrial segment.
“This acquisition is an important step forward in our goal to lead our Power Systems customers through the energy transition,” said Jenny Bush, President of Power Systems at Cummins. “With First Mode’s hybrid retrofit technology, we are accelerating our ability to provide decarbonisation solutions that meet miners’ need to drive down operating costs today.”
Cummins states that it is at the forefront of developing multiple technology pathways to help the mining industry transition to a sustainable future. Through product hybridisation and clean fuels such as ethanol and methanol, Cummins is developing bridge technologies that enable miners to maximise the life of existing fleets while reducing carbon emissions.
“Cummins’ dedication to partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and miners ensures that these technologies are developed and tested in real-world environments,” Bush added. “With hybrid retrofit kits, modular component upgrades and scalable solutions, we are bringing miners the flexibility and confidence they need to decarbonise operations while adapting to evolving technologies and infrastructure.”
With its vast global service network, Cummins says it is prepared to support newly developed bridge technologies, ensuring seamless integration and ongoing support for mining and rail applications.
The news follows the 2024 decision of First Mode’s majority shareholder, Anglo American, to conclude its funding of First Mode as part of its capital prioritisation programme.
First Mode stated: “As of 11 February 2025, we are excited to confirm that the world-class technical innovation and speed-of-delivery of the First Mode team will combine with the global footprint and manufacturing scale of the Cummins Inc Power Systems business unit to create a new industry-leading organisation.”
It added: “Thank you to all the global First Mode teams, some who will carry on the journey with the new Cummins Inc-owned organisation, and some who are following new paths. Thank you too to our loyal supply chain partners and stakeholders. Everybody’s contributions live on, having been true entrepreneurs and innovators, and leading decarbonisation and electrification of the mining and rail industries.”
First Mode further states: “We have a robust customer pipeline that we will deliver to this year, and then scale our commercial trials into fleet trials in 2026. The acquisition of First Mode by Cummins Inc will bring even tighter collaboration with industry partners, removing any challenges to market entry and scale.”