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Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank Group is considering acquiring Allied Universal, one of the world’s largest private security companies, in a potential transaction valued at nearly $30 billion, as the technology investor explores new ways to deploy artificial intelligence and robotics across industries.
The proposed acquisition could value Allied Universal’s equity at as much as $18 billion, while approximately $12 billion in publicly traded debt could bring the total transaction value close to $30 billion, Bloomberg reported on October 16. The discussions remain preliminary, and no final decision or purchase price has been agreed.
Allied Universal is a major provider of security personnel and related services to businesses, venues and major events. The company also has a growing presence in the data centre sector, where it supports the development and operation of facilities.
The potential acquisition would give SoftBank access to Allied Universal’s extensive workforce, customer relationships and physical security operations, creating a possible platform for introducing AI-powered robotics into the industry.
According to the reports, SoftBank is exploring how robots could eventually take over some security duties currently performed by human employees. However, the deployment of humanoid security workers remains a longer-term prospect, and the proposed acquisition does not guarantee that such a transition will occur.
The move would extend Son’s efforts to position SoftBank around artificial intelligence, robotics and the infrastructure required to support the technology.
SoftBank has expanded its AI commitments through investments in OpenAI and semiconductor company Arm. It has also agreed to acquire the robotics business of Swiss engineering group ABB for $5.4 billion, strengthening its exposure to industrial automation.
Allied Universal is backed by private equity firm Warburg Pincus and Canadian pension fund La Caisse. The company expanded its international footprint in 2021 through its acquisition of British security group G4S in a transaction worth approximately $5.1 billion.
A sale to SoftBank would represent a major change of ownership for the security company and give Son another established business through which to pursue the commercial use of robotics.
However, the potential transaction faces considerable uncertainty. SoftBank declined to comment on the reported discussions, while Allied Universal did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
For now, the proposal remains under consideration. Whether SoftBank proceeds with an acquisition, and whether it can successfully integrate robotics into Allied Universal’s operations, remains uncertain.
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