Pollux provides solutions to optimize manufacturing and logistics processes. The company designs, engineers and deploys fully functional assembly lines that include robots and other hardware, plus the software that controls them.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Pollux, a provider of industrial robotics and automation solutions, headquartered in Joinville, Brazil. The acquisition will expand Accenture's capabilities for clients in consumer goods, pharmaceutical and automotive industries seeking to make their factories, plants and supply chains more productive, safe and sustainable.

Pollux provides solutions to optimize manufacturing and logistics processes. The company designs, engineers and deploys fully functional assembly lines that include robots and other hardware, plus the software that controls them. Pollux also offers visual analytics inspection solutions, autonomous mobile robots and robots as a service for shopfloors and warehouses.

Founded in 1996, Pollux has implemented more than 1,000 projects for manufacturing companies, primarily in Brazil. Many of the world's largest pharmaceutical and food companies use technology solutions from Pollux in their Brazil operations, and a high number of vehicles made in the country involve Pollux's manufacturing solutions.

This is Accenture's first acquisition of an industrial robotics solutions provider and will encompass Pollux's operations in Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada and the United States. Pollux's more than 290 professionals will join Accenture's Industry X group, which embeds intelligence in how clients run factories and plants, as well as design and engineer connected products and services.

Nigel Stacey, global lead for Accenture Industry X, said: "Automation and human + machine collaboration are digitally transforming manufacturing and supply chain operations to be more flexible, resilient, sustainable and safe, and to better meet ever-changing customer demands. Tangibly seeing these benefits in practice requires a true integration of information technology and operations technology, which is what Pollux will allow us to offer our manufacturing clients."

Renato Improta, Latin America lead for Accenture Industry X, added: "Pollux's expertise and experience in robotics and automation solutions will complement our industry consulting skills and industrial IT and applied intelligence capabilities. This combination will enable us to deliver real-time supply chain and operations orchestration with flexible manufacturing functions to our clients."

José Rizzo Hahn Filho, CEO and founder of Pollux, commented: "As part of Accenture Industry X, we can offer existing and new clients complete transformation of manufacturing and logistics processes. Combining IT innovations with industrial automation can enable powerful new business models, in which, for example, a consumer's purchase at home immediately triggers a robot's next move in a factory on the other side of the planet."

Pollux will be the latest acquisition Accenture has made to strengthen its digital manufacturing, operations and supply chain capabilities. Recent acquisitions include industrial operations consulting firm Myrtle (US), technology consultancy SALT Solutions (Germany), PLM Systems (Italy), Callisto Integration (Canada), Silveo (France) and Enterprise System Partners (Ireland).

In Brazil, Accenture recently purchased information security firm Real Protect and cloud specialist Organize Cloud Labs.

Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 514,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture Industry X embeds intelligence in how clients run factories and plants, as well as design and engineer connected products and services — making manufacturing and operations more efficient, effective and safe; enabling companies to transform how they make things, and the things they make, for sustainable growth. To learn more, visit www.accenture.com/industryx.