The Bristol offices of financial and professional services firm Smith & Williamson and law firm Clarke Willmott have advised a Welsh specialist software firm on its major cross-border acquisition by a multi-billion dollar Japanese industrial group.
Swansea-based RAP International specialises in risk assessment software used in high hazard industries by a client base comprising many of the world’s blue-chip oil and gas companies. It trades from 100-plus sites in more than 30 countries across the world.
Yokogawa Electric Corporation, the world leader in industrial automation and control, test and measurement, information systems and industrial services, has acquired 100% of RAP’s shares.
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Yokogawa’s global network includes 113 companies spanning 60 countries and generating sales of $3.6bn last year.
The Smith & Williamson team was led by Martyn Fraser and Ronan Brophy while legal advice to the shareholders was provided by Simon Smith and Lucy Fairbrother from Clarke Willmott. 
Martyn, pictured, head of the firm’s 11-strong corporate finance team, said: “We were delighted to work with RAP in identifying the right partner for the next phase of its development.
“With the backing of Yokogawa’s global sales network more companies are going to benefit from the enhanced protection RAP’s solutions offer. That is a win-win outcome for all involved.”
RAP International managing director Mark Carter said integrating RAP International’s electronic risk assessment and permit to work software solutions with Yokogawa’s real-time plant condition monitoring would drive safety assurance, reduce turnaround times, and support customers in providing enhanced protection for their people, assets, and the environment.
Mark Carter said: “Having overseen RAP since its foundation in 1994 the decision by the shareholders to sell the business was not easy.
“It was crucial to us that we found a global partner who shares our vision for the business and Smith & Williamson’s international reach was key to this. Its hands-on support throughout the project has been first class and we would not hesitate to recommend them to other business owners.”
RAP also has operations in Houston, Texas and Doha, Qatar.
