Accenture to Acquire ATAN, Brazilian Provider of IT and Automation Solutions

Accenture has agreed to acquire ATAN, a privately held provider of industrial information technology (IT) and automation solutions based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The acquisition is designed to accelerate Accenture's expansion into automation and industrial IT services globally and further enhances the company's capabilities in management consulting, systems integration and technology consulting within the global metals and mining, energy and utilities industries.

ATAN was founded in 1987 by two Brazilian engineers, Andre da Matta Machado and Alexandre Oliveira. ATAN employs approximately 500 professionals across three major divisions: Automation Technology, Industrial IT, and Special Solutions, designing custom hardware and software solutions.

The worldwide market for automation and industrial IT services is growing rapidly as companies seek to improve the performance of industrial assets by applying new technology solutions.

"In recent years, rising commodities prices have led resources and related companies, particularly in Latin America, to make significant investments in their core operations," said Sander van't Noordende, group chief executive of Accenture's Resources operating group. "ATAN has played an important role in helping companies make the most of their investments by combining the best practices in consulting with innovative approaches to the use of technology in industrial situations. Global demand should continue to drive the need for increased investment and better utilization of plants and other industrial assets, and this acquisition will better enable us to help clients address these challenges."

Alexandre Oliveira, ATAN's managing director, said, "By becoming part of Accenture, we will not only gain access to the premier global operating platform, we will be able to apply our insights into industrial IT and automation solutions transformation to a broader range of clients. Our clients will gain access to Accenture's capabilities in the full range of management consulting and outsourcing disciplines."

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close within 60 days.

Source: Accenture