Stephenson Harwood has advised Hitachi Rail on its successful acquisition of Omnicom.
Omnicom is a Balfour Beatty-owned business that provides software and hardware to support the surveying, inspection and monitoring of rail infrastructure assets. The monitoring technology can be installed on trains and uses cutting-edge technology to provide near real-time anomaly detection on rail tracks, allowing for improved decision making across the asset’s lifecycle. This strategic acquisition complements Hitachi Rail's new digital asset management business (known as HMAX), which optimises railway operations and maintenance.
This transaction highlights the firm's extensive cross practice expertise across the transportation, technology and energy transition sectors.
Partner Jonathan Cripps, Head of Energy Transition, led the team, with support from Managing Associates Bertie Chilton and Phil Harris, Associate Sophie-Anne Brown and Trainee Georgia Butt, alongside support from Real Estate Partner Alex Chadwick. . Further specialist advice was provided by Partners Marta Garcia, Alexandra Pygall, Simon Bollans, Of Counsel Bryony Roy, Managing Associate Laura Anderson and Associates Alice Routh, Nic McMaster, Dermot Neligan and Sam Cutler.
