It is understood Atlas Copco has made a number of approaches to NPE in the past five years.

Formed in Mackay in 2001, NPE is the largest pump rental and specialty dewatering company in Australia.

Its services include dewatering, bypass pumping, pump hire and sales, generator hire, pipeline and construction, engineering, remote telemetry and disaster recovery management for the mining, oil and gas, civil construction and municipal industries.

The business expanded in 2021 with the acquisition of Perth-based Vortex Group.

NPE has 420 employees and had revenue of roughly A$205 million in 2022.

"NPE has strong market recognition and great expertise," Atlas Copco business area president Power Technique Andrew Walker said.

"The acquisition will strengthen our presence in dewatering and water treatment, which is an area where needs are increasing due to climate change and more frequent flooding events. This is driving the need for fast response and specialty dewatering solutions."

NPE will become part of Atlas Copco's specialty rental division within the Power Technique business area.

The NPE brand will be maintained and the current management team will stay on, including managing director Dave Campbell and chief financial officer and company secretary Jennifer Miller.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close during the current quarter.