SCD Advisory acted as exclusive sell side advisor to Bluefin3 on its sale to RSK Group

RSK Group has announced the acquisition of Perth-based engineering, advisory and digital consultancy BlueFin3, strengthening the group’s specialist capability across the rail, transport, resources and infrastructure sectors in Australia and supporting continued growth across the Asia-Pacific region.

BlueFin3 provides expertise in systems engineering, rail signalling, operational readiness, organisational change management, project delivery, digital data and automation, complementing RSK’s existing multidisciplinary service offering.

Supporting complex projects from concept to operation

BlueFin3 supports clients throughout the project life cycle, from concept development and systems engineering through to operational readiness and digital enablement. Its specialist capability and established relationships across major rail, mining and infrastructure markets create opportunities to connect BlueFin3’s services with expertise from across RSK Australia and the wider group.

The acquisition also combines BlueFin3’s strong presence in Western Australia with RSK’s wider Australian network, creating opportunities to support clients and projects across the country.

Multidisciplinary engineering, advisory and digital expertise

Founded in 2022 and based in Perth, Western Australia, BlueFin3 employs around 50 people across the engineering, advisory and digital disciplines. The business provides expertise in:

• engineering: systems engineering, rail signalling, safety and systems assurance, intelligent transport systems, human factors and decarbonisation
• advisory: organisational change management, operational readiness and project management
• digital: data analytics, artificial intelligence, automation and service management.

BlueFin3 works with Tier 1 clients across rail, mining and infrastructure and is expanding its work in public infrastructure and the energy transition. The business also brings practical experience in applying data, automation and artificial intelligence to business operations and client delivery. Clients include CBH, Rio Tinto, BHP, Hancock, Fortescue, Hitachi, Alstom, Arc Infrastructure and the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.

Recent projects include the following:

• Hancock Iron Ore (Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) Project) – BlueFin3 is providing specialist engineering, systems assurance, service management and operational readiness expertise to support the transition of Hancock Iron Ore’s AHS from project delivery into business-as-usual operations. Its involvement includes developing operational support models, service management processes, verification and validation frameworks, and engineering governance arrangements to enable the safe, reliable and sustainable operation of autonomous mining systems.
• CBH Group (Rail Fleet Acquisition Project) – BlueFin3 is providing end-to-end project management, engineering and commercial advisory services to support CBH Group’s major rail fleet acquisition programme, involving new locomotives and approximately 650 wagons. Its role spans procurement, technical specifications, supplier and interface management, engineering assurance, testing and commissioning and operational readiness, supporting the successful introduction of new rolling stock into CBH’s rail operations.
• BHP (Rail Technology Programme) – BlueFin3 is providing project delivery, operating model and operational readiness support for a major transformation introducing an advanced, SIL4-rated train control and signalling system to enable moving-block operations, helping BHP manage the complex people and process transition to a modernised rail operating environment.
• Rio Tinto (Autonomous Haulage Expansion) – BlueFin3 provides a comprehensive range of specialist engineering, technical advisory and operational support services to Rio Tinto, supporting the ongoing development, optimisation and safe operation of its integrated Pilbara mining and rail operations. Its services include enhancements to Rio Tinto’s world-leading Autonomous Heavy Haul rail network (AutoHaul®), encompassing systems engineering, rail signalling and communications, technology integration, operational readiness, engineering assurance and performance optimisation.

Strengthening RSK’s Australian platform

RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said: “BlueFin3 brings together engineering, advisory and digital expertise in sectors that are central to Australia’s growth and RSK’s growth across the country. Its strong client relationships, specialist technical capability and experience across rail, transport, resources and infrastructure make it a valuable addition to our Australia and Asia-Pacific platform.”

Speaking on behalf of BlueFin3’s leadership team, Director Warren Burnett said: “Joining RSK gives us the scale and wider network to build on the strong foundations we have established while retaining the employee-driven culture, technical excellence and responsive service that define BlueFin3. Our leadership team will remain with the business, providing continuity for our clients and colleagues as we pursue new opportunities across Australia and the wider region.”

RSK Divisional and Board Director Steve Abbott said: “BlueFin3 adds specialist expertise in systems engineering and assurance, signalling, operational readiness, human factors, data and automation. Its strong position in Western Australia complements RSK’s wider Australian network and creates opportunities to provide more integrated support for complex rail, transport and infrastructure programmes across the country. Connecting this capability with RSK’s multidisciplinary services will create valuable opportunities for collaboration and provide clients with access to broader support throughout project delivery.”

On the role of SCD Advisory, Warren Burnett (Co-Founder and Director) said:

Our journey with SCD began with a strategic review that laid the foundation for a successful transaction. The team quickly understood our sector, our business, and our objectives, and introduced a number of strong potential partners, giving us genuine choice throughout the process. Their hands-on support at every stage, combined with their advice on deal structure and negotiations, gave us the confidence that RSK was the right long-term home for our team and our clients

Pierre Briand, Founder of SCD Advisory added:

his transaction exemplifies the core of what we do: advising successful B2B services businesses on strategic M&A transactions. In this case, Bluefin3 has joined a leading international engineering and environmental services group with a strong growth platform in Australia. We congratulate Matt, Warren, Richard, Anthony, and Bruce on building an outstanding business and wish RSK every success as they leverage the significant opportunities and synergies created by this partnership.

At SCD Advisory, we offer a range of services from deal preparation to transaction execution. Contact us at info@scdadvisory.com to find out more.