Technology group Halma has announced the acquisition of Dutch company Brownline in a deal worth £129m.

Halma, which makes products for hazard detection and life protection and is listed on the FTSE 100, revealed the deal would be on a cash and debt-free basis, and to be funded from its own existing facilities.

Brownline provides advanced gyroscopic locating systems which are used by horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractors in trenchless underground drilling. The Netherlands-based company’s principal markets are across energy – including traditional, renewable and distributed energy systems – as well as fibre connectivity, and water.

The Dutch company’s unaudited revenue for the 12 months to 31 March 2025 totalled £32m.

“Brownline’s technology is a game-changer for safely installing underground infrastructure,” commented chief executive of Halma, Marc Ronchetti. “Its ability to deliver pinpoint accuracy without surface disruption is increasingly vital as cities continue to expand and electrification accelerates.

“Brownline is a strong strategic fit with Halma’s purpose, supporting the global energy transition. We're proud to welcome the company to Halma and look forward to supporting its continued growth and success.”

Under the terms of the move, Brownline will be a standalone company within Halma’s environmental and analysis Sector, led by its current management team.

Founder and CEO of Brownline, Bertjan Molenaar, added: “I would like to thank Mentha for their partnership over the last seven years during which we made great progress in further professionalising the company and growing our business.

“Joining Halma marks an exciting new chapter for Brownline. We’ve built our reputation on precision, innovation, and reliability-values that align closely with Halma’s purpose and long-term vision. Their decentralised model gives us the autonomy to continue doing what we do best, while benefiting from the strength of a global group committed to solving critical infrastructure challenges.”

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