Beam Global has signed a definitive settlement to accumulate Norwegian industrial drone firm ScoutDI for about $24 million, with plans to fabricate its inspection drones in the USA.
ScoutDI develops drone techniques and AI-enhanced software program for inspecting confined areas and different difficult-to-access industrial property, decreasing the necessity for staff to enter tanks, cargo holds and different hazardous environments.
Its clients span 30 international locations and embrace ExxonMobil, Chevron, Oceaneering and Ørsted, whereas its know-how can also be deployed by Shell, Petrobras and Equinor.
Beam can pay for the acquisition by means of a mixture of money and customary inventory. The transaction is anticipated to shut in November 2026, topic to customary closing circumstances.
Following completion, Beam plans to fabricate ScoutDI drone techniques for the US market at its current US factories, whereas its European services, along with ScoutDI’s operations, will serve Europe and the Center East.
Desmond Wheatley, chairman and CEO of Beam International, stated: “The ScoutDI acquisition shall be a extremely advantageous evolution of our present enterprise, as ScoutDI already has a longtime world drone and software program enterprise with spectacular margins and recurring revenues, serving Fortune International 500 and different important firms.
“Moreover, the ScoutDI know-how lends itself to many different functions and alternatives for each enterprise and authorities clients, which we intend to vigorously pursue by means of our world community.”
The acquisition additionally expands Beam’s current actions in robotics infrastructure. The corporate already manufactures batteries for drones, robots and submersibles and has developed BeamFlight, a know-how designed to allow distant drone recharging with out grid infrastructure or building.
ScoutDI’s Scout 137 Gen3 was the primary European drone system, and one of many first 4 techniques total, to obtain Conditional Approval from the US Division of Protection.
The approval allows the system to be marketed within the US and exempts it from the Federal Communications Fee’s Lined Listing, topic to compliance with ScoutDI’s US onshoring plan and continued authorities vetting.
Nicolai Husteli, CEO of ScoutDI, stated: “Becoming a member of Beam is an thrilling subsequent step for ScoutDI. Our clients already depend on our merchandise to examine confined areas which might be harmful and dear to enter, and Beam brings the US manufacturing, world footprint, and vitality experience to scale that a lot quicker.”
Husteli will proceed to steer ScoutDI following the acquisition. Beam says it intends to develop the know-how past its established maritime, oil and gasoline and vitality markets into areas together with mines, tunnels, sewers, public security and safety.
