Global Testing, Inspection

and Certification
M&A update

Summer 2012

Buoyant M&A market, Perfect time for sellers in highly

high transaction
multiples
acquisitive market
The global testing, inspection and
certification (TIC) market is valued
at €100 billion. Globalisation and
the widespread implementation
of tougher rules and regulations
in product safety and efficiency
are driving its development. These
factors combined with the greater
use of outsourcing means the
industry is growing faster than
most other service sectors.
“There are many opportunities
Whilst the industry is highly in the TIC sector as growth
fragmented, consolidation is under continues unimpeded by the
way, as the market leaders and
mid-sized players continue to pursue global economic uncertainty”
acquisition strategies. This presents Michel Degryck, Partner
a great opportunity for sellers.

The key observations from All of the major players and mid-
sized challengers have been highly
our research:
acquisitive. SGS has completed 32
The TIC industry is characterised deals since 2010 and Bureau Veritas
Companies widening by high growth rates, double digit has acquired 50 businesses in the
operating margins and a last five years.
their expertise and non-cyclical nature.
Transaction multiples have averaged
geographic presence
The ten largest companies worldwide 8x operating profit for small cap
through M&A are all headquartered in Europe but businesses and have reached 10x to
all operate globally. The combined 12x for mid-sized companies.
geographical revenue breakdown of
Valuations are even higher for
the top three is 45% EMEA*, 31%
businesses offering established
Asia Pacific and 24% Americas.
positions in sectors with high barriers
to entry.
*EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Figure 1: TIC market structure

TIC companies serve manufacturers, traders, consumer retailers and governments across a variety of
industries globally.

Inspection of finished products or commodities

Testing of commodities to before/after shipment to check compliance with
confirm exploration potential the buyer’s specifications (quality, quantity
and quality of products. and/or customs agencies).

Certification of systems and processes (factories, Testing of products against

industrial equipment, manufacturers) on various safety, regulatory, quality and
criteria: security, environmental impact, compliance performance standards.
to standards.

Source: Mergers Alliance

Application of TIC Industry

services broadening characteristics
TIC companies ensure that their clients
meet the required health and safety and
quality requirements.

Specifically, they engage in the provision

of inspection, verification, testing and
certification services (and related auditing,
consultancy and training services).

The purpose of these services is

to help increase productivity, help local TIC is primarily a service industry, where the
manufacturers meet global standards, key success factors are people, proximity,
manage risk and improve the quality, flexibility, workflow and IT systems. The
safety and compliance of a company industry is therefore not capital intensive,
and their products or services. with CAPEX ratios averaging around 2%
to 3% of revenues for inspection and
In effect, the TIC market is the sum of certification businesses (mainly IT) and
numerous small niches all of which depend 6% to 8% for laboratory testing.
on a mix of local and international rules
and regulations.

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 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

We estimate the global TIC market to

be worth approximately €100 billion. Figure 2: Industry overview Only 40% of the TIC
Circa 60% of this market is conducted In-House industry currently
in-house, a process that is particularly outsourced
evident in the life science, utilities and TIC
60% market
public sectors.
c. €100bn
The rest of the market is served by 40%
independent service providers (companies
whose primary business activities are
providing TIC services). Outsourced

Source: Société Générale, Capital Partner

Key growth factors Figure 3: Outsourced market New standards

The outsourced TIC market is expected compound annual growth rate and regulations
to increase by €10 billion over the
2011/2015 period. This growth will be
driving the market
underpinned by a number of drivers:
R
CA G
o 6%
%t
Regulations and standards: New and
5
tougher regulations combined with a
clear shift towards more complex
standards and rules are creating new
market opportunities and are generating
additional growth in existing markets. 40bn 50bn
Initiative examples include: Reach, EU
Toy Safety Directive, GHS, EU Energy
Using Products directive.

Outsourcing: Large companies are

increasingly outsourcing inspection 2011 2015
and testing in an attempt to reduce
costs, since the increasing levels of
regulations make it progressively costlier Source: Société Générale, Capital Partner
to test in-house. They are fostering a
focus on core activities and passing on
responsibility to independent third Product diversity and
parties for compliance. sophistication: The rise in innovation, Shorter lifecycles of
diversity and shorter lifecycles of many
Global trade: Global trade is a major consumer products is increasing the
consumer products
driver of growth due to its correlation application and volumes of services contributing to
to the size of inspected volumes. offered by TIC companies.
Conversely, varying degrees of
TIC growth
protectionism are also contributing to
growth. Local rules and regulations
create barriers to entry and protect
local manufacturing.

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 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Safety and quality concerns:

Product recalls The cost of liabilities due to non- Figure 4: Product recalls in the
stimulating TIC in the conformity has been rising. This, added UK market
to the fact that bad press spreads
consumer segment quicker and more effortlessly than ever 350
before, means that corporates are 300
looking to defend themselves through 250
pre-emptive measures, which include
200
third-party certification – see Figure 4
for a UK market sample. 150

100
Emerging markets: The TIC market in
50
Expanding TIC in the the developing regions has the potential
to grow at a rapid pace due to: 0
emerging markets, 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

boosted by global - The increase in the export of goods, Consumer Goods

all of which need to be compliant with Food
trade, new Western standards. Moreover, there Pharma

infrastructure is an increasing trend for Western

companies to control the entire Source: Reynolds Porter Chamberlain
standards and political value chain. Most of the inspected
volumes are currently done
pressures
pre-shipping.

- New rules and standards are

being imposed, especially in
the infrastructure and oil
& gas segments (in Brazil
for example).

- New regulations for

products sold to the
developing domestic
markets which are
growing quickly thanks
to an expanding middle
class, especially in the BRIC
nations. The big challenge for
the emerging economies is to
ensure companies apply the existing
rules and standards to their domestic
markets to avoid health and safety
crises such as the Chinese milk
scandal when infant milk was
adulterated with melamine.

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 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Trade buyers
SGS and Bureau Veritas hold a Campbell (Australia) and UL (USA)
cumulative 18.5% share in the highly which rank eleventh and twelfth A fragmented industry
fragmented outsourced market where respectively.
for-profit players compete with
led by SGS and
non-profit organisations. Their growth An interesting feature of the industry is the Bureau Veritas
has been boosted by M&A and their number of top companies that are held by
acquisitive strategies are being foundations and professional associations.
replicated by other top TIC players Five of the 12 leading players (Dekra, TÜV
and market challengers. Süd, TÜV Rheinland, DNV and TÜV Nord)
are non-profit organisations, as are many
Whilst the top ten leading companies small local players, particularly in
generate more than €1 billion each in continental Western Europe.
revenue, over 50% of the market is
made up of mid-sized and very small
companies, many generating less than Figure 5: Market share
€10 million each.
SGS 10%
SGS (Switzerland) and Bureau Veritas
(France) are the global industry leaders, Bureau
Veritas 8.5%
with €4 billion and €3.4 billion in
revenues respectively in FY2011. Intertek 5%
Following the acquisition of Moody in
April 2011, Intertek (UK) has moved into Dekra 5%
third place with revenues in excess of TÜV SÜD 5%
€2 billion. TÜV
Rheinland 4%
From a global perspective, the sector DNV 3%
is dominated by European companies, Others 59%
with the top 10 players all based in
Western Europe. Just behind them is Source: Capital Partner estimates

Figure 6: Key market leaders Figure 7: Revenue: Geographical

(ranked by FY 2011 revenues) breakdown (€ million)
bn

4 100%
90%
1114 940
80% 750
3 70%
60% 845 672
50% 682
2 40%
30% 1991 1746
20%
663
1 10%
0%
SGS Bureau Intertek
Veritas
0
Ve GS
Int as

TU U r a
ein d
d
Ap V
Llo TUV plus
Re d
Ca ister
ell
UL
De k
te

Asia Pacific
Rh u
lan

’s or
DN
k
rit

pb
V VS
S

er

yd N
g
m

Americas
T
au

Europe/Africa/Middle East
re
Bu

Source: Company reports, Bureau Veritas, Source: Capital IQ

Capital Partner estimates
5
 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Investors driving top Current valuations

company valuations TIC companies have been outperforming wider European stock indices since
higher January 2010. This can be attributed to the non-cyclical, profitable and high
growth nature of the industry. It should be noted, the strong Swiss franc and
the lack of major acquisitions over the past two years by SGS has seen the
company’s performance fall back slightly relative to its competitors.

Figure 8: TIC index

SGS Bureau Veritas Intertek Eurofins CAC40 FTSE100

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40
Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Jan-11 Apr-11 Jul-11 Oct-11 Jan-12 Apr-12

Source: Bloomberg

Buyers paying M&A activity SGS and Bureau Veritas offer the most
comprehensive range of services,
covering almost all the business segments.
premiums to enter There has been significant M&A activity The rest of the industry players are missing
into new strategic in the TIC sector during the last ten key sub-segments, geographies and/or
years. The leading players have market share. To penetrate these markets,
segments completed infill acquisitions to broaden the larger companies have adopted
or reinforce their service matrix (see acquisition strategies. The acquisition of a
Figure 9) as well as expand their mid-cap player in particular is often the
geographical footprint. quickest way to enter a specific market
segment, a process that would take years
Transaction multiples for mid-cap
to develop internally.
companies can reach 10x to 12x operating
profit whilst multiples for smaller companies The premiums offered to mid-cap
tend to be slightly lower at 8x operating companies are often justified by the
profit. Acquisition premiums of up to 50% immediate synergies they deliver as well
are being presented to targets offering as their strategic relationships with key
strong positions in high barriers to entry client accounts and the stronger barriers
sectors, for example the nuclear and to entry they afford.
medical segments.
6
 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Figure 9: Market leaders and listed comparables

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*
X X X X X X X X X X 2.9x 13.8x 17.8x

X X X X X X X X X X 2.6x 14.9x 18.5x

X X X X X X X X X 2.7x 14.6x 20.0x

X X X X 4.4x 20.5x 13.6x

X X X X X X X 2.1x 13.1x 20.3x

X X X X X X X * Based on May 3rd stock price

and the most recent published net
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X X X X X X

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In September 2010, Bureau Veritas the global energy market (currently #2

acquired UK based Inspectorate. The behind SGS), especially in the strategic
acquisition gave Bureau Veritas over upstream division.
€300 million of additional revenue and
has allowed the company to enter the Eurofins doubled its pharmaceutical
oil, gas and agri-commodities operations with its acquisition of
inspection markets as well as double its Lancaster Labs (February 2011). The
market share in the minerals trading acquisition, which added €84 million to
segment. The acquisition provided its life science business, also allowed
Bureau Veritas access to a global Eurofins to enter the attractive North
network required to compete with American markets. Eurofins’ also
SGS and Intertek in this segment. recently acquired IPL (Institut Pasteur
de Lille) which doubled Eurofins market
In April 2011, Intertek acquired Moody share of the French environmental
International for €508 million or 13.5x testing market.
EBITDA. The acquisition has enabled
Intertek to strengthen its position in

7
 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

SME trends Private equity activity

Numerous smaller Small to medium sized companies are PE investors have been active in the
deals well positioned in these current industry industry since the early 2000s. TIC
conditions and have themselves been companies currently owned/partly
highly acquisitive over the past three owned by a private equity house
years. We expect this trend to include, amongst many others: Bureau
continue as they seek scale and Veritas (Wendel), Applus (Carlyle), Exova
internationalisation. (CD&R), Socotec (Qualium), LGC
(Bridgepoint), TestAmerica (HIG) and
Specialised TIC companies generating ESG (3i).
Strong, longstanding more than €10 million in revenues are
often considered to have reached a During the past three years we have
private equity critical mass in their niche and become seen trade buyers regularly outbid
investment attractive targets for the large players. financial buyers in auction processes.
Therefore private equity firms have
concentrated on minority stake
Figure 10: Transaction multiples for small and mid-sized firms opportunities or transacting when
10x / 12x corporates have not been invited to
EBIT
the bidding process to guarantee a
successful MBO (be it primary or
Strategic value drivers secondary).
8x
EBIT
Reinforce market/size/global positioning
Recent secondary MBO transactions
Strategic
Value Complement an existing business with have produced excellent multiples for
Market strong synergies
Value mid-sized companies, examples include
Track record and experience to deliver Kiwa (NPM), Trigo (Industri Kapital),
a buy and build strategy
Carso (FSI & Euromezzanine)
1 2
(see Figure 11).

Source: Capital Partner

M&A activity to M&A prospects

maintain its pace TIC is one of the few industries that In particular we expect a strong
has proven resilient in the current appetite for TIC businesses that
despite economic
challenging macroeconomic exhibit the following characteristics:
uncertainty conditions, yielding above average
growth rates and high profit margins. - Businesses that offer value-added
These positive dynamics will continue TIC and consulting services to the
to attract a large amount of investment energy, cleantech, medical,
and will keep the valuations of market commodities and agro/food
leaders and mid-sized companies high. business segments.

Large and mid-market players will - Companies that provide TIC

preserve their aggressive external services across the whole value
growth strategies over the next five chain of a niche or a specific sub-
years which will boost the M&A market. segment, from raw materials to
manufacturing and assembly up
We expect companies with €5 million to distribution to the end user.
to €50 million revenue to remain very
attractive to these buyers. There will - Domestic or regional companies
be upward pressure on acquisition that can be developed globally
valuations for companies in this revenue through leveraging a potential
bracket due to the diminishing acquirer’s existing network.
availability of such assets for sale.
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 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Figure 11: Selected M&A transactions

Ann. date Target HQ Country Business description Acquirer HQ Country Currency EV (m) EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT

Engaged in the provision of engineering,

Mar-12 T.H. Hill USA Bureau Veritas France USD n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
quality assurance and training solutions

UK based food and pharmaceutical testing

laboratory (Eclipse Scientific) and the Ireland
Mar-12 ESG UK Campbell Brothers Australia AUD 33,0 n.a. n.a. n.a.
based microbiological, food chemistry
and residue testing business

Provider of environmental and

Sep-11 IPL France Eurofins France EUR n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
food services

Components quality inspection

Jul-11 Trigo France IK Investment Partners Sweden EUR n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
and conformity upgrade services company

Independent certification inspection,

Jul-11 Kiwa Netherlands NPM Capital Netherlands EUR 220,0 1,42x 10,5x n.a.
testing and consultancy firm

Mar-11 Moody UK Supplier of management system certification, Intertek UK GBP 450,0 n.a. 13,5x n.a.
International technical and inspection services

Offers analytical services to the pharmaceutical,

Lancaster Eurofins France USD 200,0 1,74x n.a. n.a.
Feb-11 USA food, biopharmaceutical and
Laboratories
environmental sector

Provider of TIC services to the oil &

Dec-10 Velosi UK gas industry Applus Spain USD 120,0 0,65x 6,8x 7,9x

Testing services to the environment

Dec-10 Groupe Carso France and health food & feed and FSI France EUR 130,0 1,18x 9,3x n.a.
DNA forensics sectors

Metallurgical and mineral testing ALS Laboratories Australia AUD 143,5 2,64x 11,2x 13,4x
Dec-10 Ammtec Australia
services company
Sep-10 Inspectorate UK Commodities inspection and testing company Bureau Veritas France EUR 543,2 1,61x 10,9x n.a.

Mar-10 AF Kontroll Sweden Technical inspection and non-destructive Dekra Germany EUR 62,7 1,50x n.a. n.a.
testing company

Analytical, forensic and diagnostic services

Feb-10 LGC UK Bridgepoint UK GBP 257,0 1,98x n.a. n.a.
and reference standards

The largest non-destructive testing

Nov-09 PearlStreet Australia ALS Laboratories Australia AUD 108,3 1,14x 10,1x 13,7x
services provider in Australia

Provider of life-cycle marine and offshore

May-09 Noble Denton UK Germanischer Lloyd Germany EUR 141,0 1,81x 9,3x 10,6x
engineering services to the energy industries

Inspection, audit, consulting and

Oct-08 Socotec France and certification for the construction, CDC France EUR 400,0 0,93x 11,1x n.a.
industry and health sectors

May-08 Amdel Australia Provider of analytical and testing services Bureau Veritas France EUR 274,0 2,42x 10,1x n.a.

Provides inspection, control, testing and

Aug-07 ECA Spain certification services to all industries, as well Bureau Veritas France EUR 156,0 0,91x n.a. 8,1x
as governments

Mar-07 Australia Provider of technical Bureau Veritas France EUR 50,3 1,48x 13,7x 18,6x
CCI
services to the coal industries

Average 1,53x 10,6x 12,1x

Note: Based on latest financials preceding the deal date or on the year of the deal if it happened at year-end

Source: Zephyr, Merger Market, Thomson Financials, Morgan Stanley, company reports

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 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

“ The global TIC team is focused

on sharing intelligence and
developing cross-border M&A
opportunities; meeting
regularly to make the most
of each other’s knowledge
and relationships”
Richard Holden
Member of the TIC Sector Team

Contacts
Specialist advice on call…
For information on sector trends, valuations and corporate finance advice in TIC

Bruno Ruiz Arrue Owen Hultman

Partner, Spain General Manager, Japan
Telephone: +34 943 327 044 Telephone: +81 3 6895 5521
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

David Wolfe Pieter Veldtman

Senior Partner, Russia Director, South Africa
Telephone: +7 495 937 5855 Telephone: +27 11 268 6231
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Horacio Facca Richard Holden

Managing Director, USA Director, United Kingdom
Telephone: +1 (781) 273 6062 Telephone: +44 20 7881 2960
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Jan Willem Jonkman Ervin Schellenberg

Managing Partner, Netherlands Managing Partner, Germany
Telephone: +31 73 623 8774 Telephone: +49 611 205 4810
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Leonardo Antunes Ugo Zampieri

Managing Director, Brazil Partner, Italy
Telephone: +55 21 2543 3117 Telephone: +39 02 92 88 04 00
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Michel Degryck Vikas Aggarwal

Partner, France Assistant Vice President, India
Telephone: +33 148 246 300 Telephone: + 91 22 6634 6666
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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 Global Testing, Inspection and Certification M&A update

Market segment definitions and trends (appendix)

The TIC sector is spread across a large number
Market segments by share
of segments, industries and technical niches,
each characterised by their own specifications, Services to
drivers and growth paths. industries Consumer Testing
9%
Services to industry 53%
TIC
The industrial segment is being strongly fuelled market
c. €100bn
by the oil & gas, energy and transportation sectors. 22% Life Sciences, Food &
Outsourcing in these sectors is accelerating Environment
as regulations become more stringent and 9% 7%
widespread globally.
Commodities
Others
The building and construction segment is a cyclical
market with limited growth prospects in the Western Source: Campbell, Bureau Veritas, Capital Partner
economies. Nonetheless, TIC services are constantly
in demand thanks to new and ongoing regulations
focused on green and sustainable buildings, as well Life sciences, food and environment
as the growing need to manage the lifecycle and The market is dominated by laboratory testing
integrity of building assets. specialists that are both working for and competing
with the leading TIC players. The segment is also
There has been notable private equity activity in the
going through a discernible industrialisation trend,
segment. In 2010 3i Group acquired aerospace and
with larger and more specialised labs emerging
oil & gas testing specialist Element Materials
along with rising volumes and price pressures.
Technology (formerly Stork Materials Technology)
for €160 million. Since then, under 3i’s ownership, ALS Laboratory Group (Campbell Brothers)
Element has been making acquisitions of its own, has been active acquiring European based life
buying Detroit Testing Laboratory (DTL) group and science/environmental businesses of late. The
MAR-TEST Inc, both active in the aerospace Australia based company acquired Advanced Micro
sub-segment. Services Laboratories and Eclipse Scientific Group
from Environmental Scientifics Group for a combined
Consumer testing value of €30 million increasing their total employees
in Europe to over 1000.
The consumer segment includes testing, product
inspection, process assessment and technical
assistance for all types of products (e.g. electronics, Commodities
toys and textiles). The segment offers substantial The commodities segment primarily revolves around
upside potential due to tighter regulations and the the global trade of agri-commodities, minerals,
increasing trend of companies looking to secure oil & gas and chemicals. The sector is supported
coveted third party certification to reinforce the by commodity trading, high growth levels and rising
reputation of their product offerings. commodity prices. A global network is a prerequisite
and the segment is highly concentrated.
Both mid-market and larger players have been
targeting consumer focused TIC companies. EAG The rising prices of commodities, among other factors,
Inc recently acquired Chemir Analytical Services Inc, has attracted the attention of the large multinationals.
a company that specialises in testing toys and other Bureau Veritas recently acquired Acme Analytical
consumer products. Smaller deals included Intertek’s Laboratories and also bought a minority stake in
acquisition of consumer product testing experts coal analysis business ACT UIS Laboratorios de
Porst & Partner GmbH for €2.5 million. Moçambique Lda.

11
 Selected Mergers Alliance deals

sold has sold a minority stake of a portfolio company of

acquired

to to has been acquired by

Management buyout of

sold sold

acquired

to to

Join in the mergers and acquisitions discussion

With a dedicated TIC sector team, the Mergers Alliance partners
are expertly placed to offer advice.
In particular, we offer:
Advice on structuring and completing deals in the TIC market.
Information on sector trends and valuations.
Access to corporate decision-makers and owners.

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