Australian-based mining communications company Mine Site Technologies (MST) has acquired the Queensland-based Nixon Communications in a major business expansion.
Nixon’s is a communications infrastructure provider to mining, oil, gas, remote construction and coal seam gas sectors across Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It was founded in 1977 by John Nixon, who will remain with the newly merged company for at least 18 months as a consultant and adviser.
MST says its customers will be able to draw on Nixon’s expertise and resource pool in surface mining and pipeline communications. Nixon’s will retain its branding, management team and continue its current operations while becoming a key part of MST’s Australian field operations.
MST chief executive officer Lloyd Zenari says, “Nixons will continue to operate under its current name and retain its current autonomy, entrepreneurial character and flexibility, but now also benefits from the resources and critical mass of the expanded group, able to scale up for our customers without compromising responsiveness and service.
He says the cultural match between the two companies was a crucial factor in the acquisition. “Both MST and Nixons have a very strong safety focus, with field teams looking out for each others’ safety onsite in remote, often hazardous and difficult locations. We also share a long commitment to mining and adjacent sectors, developing fit-for-purpose services and products, and a focus on building the capability of our people.”
Nixon’s managing director John Nixon says, “Nixons will benefit from MST’s underground mining communications strengths and international market leadership in that sector, while we will contribute our leading experience and expertise in surface mining and pipeline communications to MST’s customers both in Australia and internationally.
“We look forward to starting to work together to develop business and opportunities for Nixons to grow outside of our core Queensland market.”
Since its establishment in 1989, MST has installed its communications systems in more than 500 mines worldwide. The company has grown to become a global leader in mining communications, developing purpose built technology for underground mines and advanced wireless mesh communication systems for open pit mines.