Mitsui & Co has invested in Position Partners to accelerate digital transformation in the resource and construction sectors, strengthening the over $15 billion investment it has made in Australia in the last decade.
The Japanese company’s investment in Position Partners aligns with Mitsui’s strategic goal of optimising business processes through artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
Position Partners is Australia’s provider of positioning and machine control solutions for surveying, civil works and building activities.
Mitsui, on the other hand, has been involved in Australia’s iron ore industry through its investments in four iron ore projects operated by BHP in the Pilbara. Its holdings company Mitsui Coal Holdings also has involvement in 14 coal projects.
“Mitsui’s reach and vision into global business optimisation is considerable and the company’s investment in Position Partners will assist us to identify and leverage technology that is evolving both within and beyond our core industries,” Position Partners chief executive Martin Nix said.
“By tapping into how various businesses are applying artificial intelligence and Internet of Things systems, we can continue to offer customers the latest developments to improve their productivity.”
Mitsui now holds 20 per cent of Position Partners, with Daniel Shibata from Mitsui to join the latter’s executive steering team, aimed to support Position Partners’ strategic interests through the Mitsui network. Mitsui has also appointed a director to the Position Partners board.
“Mitsui is committed to assisting Position Partners achieve its strategic objectives and we look forward to introducing the company to our partners, particularly in the resources sector and in South East Asia where we have already identified opportunities,” general manager of Mitsui Australia’s mobility business division Daniel Todd concluded.