Barcelona - Applus+, the top Spanish multinational in testing, inspection, certification and technological services, and one of the ten largest worldwide companies in that field, announces today the acquisition of two companies in France and Poland: Contrôles Techniques Services (CTS) and Ekopol, respectively. Both companies, devoted to non-destructive testing (NDT), are leaders in their markets and specialised in radiographic inspections (CTS) and ultrasonic testing (Ekopol). With these acquisitions, Applus+ strengthens its presence in Europe and its leadership in terms of NDT, a sector in which it is now the world’s leading company.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a series of techniques and technologies used to determine and test the state and safety of installations and objects without altering their integrity. These inspections are used especially in the petrochemical industry and in other similar areas (gas, energy, etc.) and generate a business volume of € 2.5 billion worldwide.

“We are very pleased to announce these acquisitions in the current context” stated Joaquim Coello, Applus+ CEO. “We have concluded three acquisitions this year and will continue to strive to reach our growth targets”, he added. The company’s strategic plan, which was released in 2007 and supported by the company shareholders, aims to turn Applus+ into one of the five leading companies in its sector, doubling its turnover to reach a total of € 1.2 billion in 2012. Applus+ sales grew by 24% in 2008, reaching a total of € 837 million.

CTS and Ekopol will be integrated into Applus+ non-destructive testing division. This business area is known as Applus+ RTD and its headquarters are in the Netherlands. It employs over 2,500 people and works with the main oil and gas companies in the world. With over 2,000 clients, the company’s turnover amounted to over € 300 million in 2008.

“The acquisition of CTS will strengthen the presence of Applus+ RTD in France, expanding both our capacities and resources. Ekopol will enable us to start operating in Poland, a critical market due to its potential for growth and its strategic position in the Baltic” states Rob van Doorn, managing director of Applus+ RTD division. “Increasing our presence in Europe, where we are market leaders in terms of business volume and technology, will allow us to offer a better service to our clients wherever they are and wherever they need us”, concluded van Doorn.

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Contrôles Techniques Services
Founded 24 years ago, Contrôles Techniques Services operates in the field of non-destructive testing and inspection in the French market from its strategic location in the Marseille suburbs, near Etang de Berre, where several refineries are located. CTS provides services to the largest companies in the petrochemical and energy sector in France and is a market leader in non-destructive radiographic inspections. The company performs three types of inspections: investigations of defects at refineries and plants; technical shutdowns of installations and maintenance operations.

So far Applus+ activities in France have been operated from its offices in Lyon and Le Havre. The incorporation of CTS will enable the company to increase its field of activity and to capitalise on the prestige and technical capacity of one the key players in the non-destructive testing and inspection business in the country.

Ekopol
From its headquarters in Katowice, one of the largest industrial centres in Poland, Ekopol, Central Laboratory for Non-destructive testing and Technical Services, works with companies in the petrochemical and energy sector and also for other related industries. The company’s business is focused on ultrasonic inspections of installations and plants.

Poland is of major strategic importance in the non-destructive testing and inspection market, both due to the potential for growth of its domestic market and its significant location and role in supplying Europe and the Baltic area. Ekopol’s combination of local experience and knowledge, together with Applus+ RTD’s technological leadership, will enable the company to consolidate its leading position in non-destructive testing in Poland.

WORLD LEADER IN NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
In April 2006, Applus+ acquired 100% of the Dutch RTD Group, which became the Applus+ RTD division dedicated to inspections and non-destructive testing in the chemical and petrochemical industry, and other similar sectors (gas, energy, etc.).

Today this division contributes to approximately 40% of Applus+ turnover, and has experimented strong growth in recent years. In 2008, Applus+ acquired the companies MB Inspection and JanX, market leaders in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively, making it the world leader in non-destructive testing and inspections.

Applus+, a global company in terms of conformity assessment
Applus+ is a leading company in testing, inspection, certification and technological services. It is also one the 10 largest companies in the conformity assessment sector worldwide and the largest Spanish multinational in the field. The company also has a worldwide leading position in vehicles inspection and non-destructive testing, and it is in the top three at European level in inspection, technical assistance and laboratories.

The company, whose CEO is Joaquim Coello, employs over 10,000 people and had a turnover of € 837 million in 2008. With presence in all five continents, it serves more than 25 industrial sectors. In November 2007, Applus+ was acquired by The Carlyle Group, the global private equity firm.

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