Fortescue to acquire Williams Advanced Engineering in race to net zero

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) are setting the pace for ground-breaking innovation in the green energy space, as Fortescue Metals (Fortescue) enters into an agreement to acquire the UK-based WAE.

This brings together thinkers and engineers under one family brand to drive progress and combat climate change.

WAE, an offshoot of the Williams F1 team founded by the revered, late Sir Frank Williams CBE, is a world technology and engineering business renowned for its ground-breaking projects in high performance battery systems and electrification.

WAE will bring its race bred critical battery technology to FFI, which will in turn enable Fortescue, one of the largest iron ore producers in the world and a heavy carbon emitter, to realise its industry 2030 net-zero target. This will be achieved by working together to help bring green energy to life in Fortescue’s 3km long freight trains, 400 tonne haul trucks and industrial heavy mobile equipment.

One of the first major projects to be developed will be a world battery electric train concept. Fortescue and FFI will announce further details on this early in 2022.

This partnership will also enable Fortescue to become a major player in the growing global market for green industrial transport equipment.

The heavy industrial sector accounts for more than 20 per cent of global carbon emissions. £164 million investment means Fortescue and FFI will acquire critical capabilities needed to help decarbonise this industry world-wide, utilising FFI’s green electricity, green hydrogen and ammonia which will contain zero carbon.

FFI will utilise this expertise and technology to demonstrate to the world that the decarbonisation of heavy industry is possible and then deliver that technology to the significant global market.

The investment in WAE will continue to grow value for Fortescue shareholders as the company diversifies into a global, green renewables and resources company.

Fortescue Founder and Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest AO said, “This is the race of our lifetimes – the race to save the planet from cooking. The speed at which we move matters.

“Together FFI and WAE will work to decarbonise Fortescue – with the aim of achieving that faster and more effectively than anyone else in the world.

“This is an historic moment in the future of our company as we welcome the WAE family into the Fortescue family to work together to decarbonise heavy industry and hard to abate sectors for the good of our planet, and the benefit of our shareholders.

“This announcement is the key to unlocking the formula for removing fossil fuel powered machinery and replacing it with zero carbon emission technology, powered by FFI green electricity, green hydrogen and green ammonia.

“For decades, Sir Frank Williams’ F1 racing business was at the forefront of innovation in engineering and I thank him for his pioneering vision in founding WAE over a decade ago. I was sorry to hear of his passing last year and I pay tribute to him. I have huge respect for him, his family and the Williams’ business,” Dr Forrest said.

Former deputy team principal of the Williams F1 Racing Team, Claire Williams OBE, welcomed announcement.

“Since the team sold a majority shareholding in WAE to EMK Capital a couple of years ago, EMK and the Management Team have done a fantastic job in taking the business forward. We are delighted that Fortescue are now taking over that mantle and see the value in the company and its people in tackling some of the biggest issues facing our world. I am sure that they will continue to drive considerable success through the business and achieve further results in decarbonising heavy industry and tackling the issue of global warming.”

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines said, “Fortescue and WAE share strong cultural alignment with a focus on technology and innovation to support carbon neutrality, both companies being leaders in their respective industries.

“We have been working with WAE since early 2021, with WAE designing and building a battery system to power an electric mining haul truck; an important first step in the decarbonisation of Fortescue’s mining haul fleet. WAE’s expertise in battery systems and electrification further complements FFI’s green hydrogen projects for haul trucks and mobile fleet to further underpin our technical leadership.

“We look forward to working together to apply this technology-first strategy to our emissions reduction pathway while also empowering the highly capable WAE team to achieve growth opportunities in new products, services and markets,” Ms Gaines said.

FFI Chief Executive Officer, Julie Shuttleworth AM said, “The acquisition of WAE adds cutting edge technology, intellectual property and engineering capabilities to support and accelerate FFI’s Green Fleet technology pathway.

“Rapid growth of WAE’s world technology and engineering business and an expansion of its manufacturing footprint further enhances FFI’s position to become a major player in the global market for decarbonisation of the global heavy industry sector.

“Under Fortescue’s ownership, WAE will continue to service its customers while rapidly expanding its battery and electrification technologies, engineering and manufacturing offerings.

“Joining the Fortescue Family will also allow WAE to invest in new technologies and to further commercialise world electrification products in new markets. It is also an opportunity to continue to grow the Williams’ family vision of creating cutting edge technology operating at the forefront of innovation in engineering and business,” Ms Shuttleworth said.

Craig Wilson, Chief Executive Officer WAE said, “High performance battery and electrification systems are at the core of what we do at WAE, and this acquisition and investment will enable the company’s further growth to support the delivery of zero emission products and services across existing sectors – such as automotive, motorsport and off-highway – and new sectors too. This will benefit all of our stakeholders along with current and future customers who are very important to us. My thanks also to EMK Capital for their support during the past two years that has enabled us to accelerate the successful progress of WAE and development of technologies to help tackle climate change”.

“We are delighted to play a key role in Fortescue’s decarbonisation strategy, contributing to the delivery of their emissions reduction targets through high performance battery systems, green hydrogen and related technologies. We will also be focusing on addressing the sector-wide challenges in the off-highway sector. Both companies have a shared culture of innovation, setting and achieving challenging objectives and a genuine commitment to creating a sustainable future.”

Together FFI and WAE will work together to help achieve the goal to make zero emissions energy available at an industrial, global scale as we become the world’s best, fully renewable energy and green products company.