Accenture: Redefining Digital Twins and Factory AI

Accenture has agreed to purchase Industries eXcellence Group, known as IndX, which operates as a division of Engineering Group and serves as a long-term partner to Siemens Digital Industries. 

This acquisition is designed to boost Accenture’s capacity to help industrial companies modernise how they develop products, handle production and oversee supply chain operations. 

The integration will rely on advanced software, data and AI-enabled technologies to achieve these goals.

“Manufacturers are increasingly investing in software, data and AI to make engineering and factory operations more flexible, intelligent and connected,” says Tracey Countryman, Global Supply Chain and Engineering Lead at Accenture. 

“But many companies struggle to integrate these technologies across their products, factories, plants and supply chains. We will combine IndX’s proven expertise in Siemens technologies with Accenture’s AI capabilities and industry knowledge to solve this challenge for clients faster.”

The financial specifics of the transaction have not been revealed. 

Additionally, finalising the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.

Supporting growth

With its main offices situated in Rome, Italy, and Chicago, Illinois in the US, IndX provides deep expertise regarding Siemens software solutions for process and discrete manufacturers. 

The business focuses on delivering digital thread solutions that bridge automation, engineering and manufacturing across operational technology and IT infrastructure. 

Its expertise spans product lifecycle management, simulation, digital twins, SCADA, industrial edge computing and cloud computing.

Once the transaction is finalised, IndX’s personnel and technological capabilities will support the ongoing expansion of the Accenture Siemens Business Group. 

This dedicated global practice was launched last year to combine industrial technology with AI-driven engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

Leaders from both organisations have expressed strong support for the merger.

“Accenture’s acquisition of IndX is a milestone for the Accenture Siemens Business Group,” says Tony Hemmelgarn, President and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software.

“It brings proven skills in our industrial solutions for digital manufacturing, engineering, automation, digital twin and simulation, plus long-standing relationships with clients that apply them.”

Vivek Kaushik, Global Lead of Accenture Siemens Business Group at Accenture, says: “Together with Siemens, we develop industrial AI-enabled solutions that shorten engineering time to market, increase manufacturing efficiencies and strengthen the digital core for our clients.

“IndX will strengthen the Accenture Siemens Business Group and help deliver on Accenture and Siemens’ shared ambition to scale these AI solutions.”

Expanding global reach

The clientele of IndX includes leading enterprises in fields such as aerospace and defence, automotive, high tech, consumer goods, energy, industrial equipment, life sciences and utilities.

The firm employs a global team of more than 650 specialists located in Italy, the US, India, Germany, Mexico and other European countries. 

Once the deal is finalised, Accenture will integrate IndX’s services and assets tied to other technologies into its respective business units.

Additionally, Accenture intends to establish two new Centres of Excellence for Siemens DI solutions, which will be based in Italy and India. 

These specialised hubs will gather professionals skilled in industrial software and advanced digital tools to assist clients in upgrading product design, factory operations and supply chain management.

“Italy has a unique combination of manufacturing excellence, engineering capabilities and innovation talent,” says Teodoro Lio, Market Unit Lead of Accenture Italy. 

“By expanding our Siemens industrial software capabilities and creating a new Centre of Excellence in Italy, we are strengthening an ecosystem that can help Italian industry become even more competitive at the global level, accelerate digital transformation, and create highly specialised skills and jobs for the country.”