In a move to further expand its engineering offerings and increase its presence in the Canadian oil and gas markets, Rockwell Automation, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., agreed to purchase the majority of the assets of Rutter Hinz Inc., an engineering company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Rutter Hinz, with annual revenues of approximately $35 million (U.S.), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rutter Inc., a publicly held Canadian company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Rutter Hinz has engineering expertise in industrial automation, process control and power distribution, specifically for the oil and gas industry, in addition to the pipeline, utility, mining, forestry and food and beverage sectors. The company's management team and approximately 220 employees will join Rockwell Automation's Systems & Solutions business unit.

“This acquisition accelerates the growth of Rockwell Automation's business and reach in Canada's heavy industries and oil and gas market, enhances our Canadian oil sands opportunities, and establishes a robust delivery capability in a major market with critical expertise,” said Terry Gebert, vice president and general manager, Rockwell Automation Systems & Solutions.

The acquisition includes Rutter Hinz's engineering and automation businesses in Canada and the United States, but not its Newfoundland consulting engineering business or the assets of Rutter Technologies Inc. These operations will continue as part of Rutter Inc. The acquisition is expected to close during the current quarter.