Bureau Veritas Acquires Contec AQS and Subsidiaries to Expand Leadership in Buildings and Infrastructure
Paris, January 20, 2025 – Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services, has made a strategic move to expand its influence in the Buildings and Infrastructure market. The company has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Contec AQS and its two owned subsidiaries, Exenet and PMPI. This acquisition aligns with Bureau Veritas' ambitious LEAP | 28 strategy, aimed at enhancing its leadership position in the sector.
Renowned for its comprehensive solutions that ensure the safety, sustainability, and resilience of buildings and infrastructure, Bureau Veritas stands to benefit significantly from this acquisition. Contec AQS and its subsidiaries bring extensive technical expertise and a robust portfolio of services in construction, infrastructure, and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) domains. These Italian brands cater to public authorities, infrastructure operators, and private manufacturing companies. With a workforce of approximately 190 highly skilled experts, they generated around €30 million in revenue in 2024.
Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition. "This acquisition is in line with our objective of expanding our leadership in the infrastructure space in Europe, as planned in our LEAP | 28 strategy. Within Italy, the addition of these three companies will augment our capabilities and bring additional benefits to our clients."
Alberto Palombarini, CEO of Contec AQS, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the strong synergy between the technical capabilities of both organizations. "Our historic collaboration with Bureau Veritas has confirmed the strong fit between their technical capabilities and ours. This strategic union will not only enhance our service delivery offering to our clients, it will also consolidate our position as a partner of choice by reaching a critical mass in our Italian home market."
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of March 2025, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory clearance. This acquisition is part of Bureau Veritas' broader strategy to focus on markets where it aims to achieve top leadership and performance positions by 2028. The LEAP | 28 strategy is built around three pillars: Focused Portfolio, Performance-led Execution, and an Evolved People model. The company has already seen early success with this strategy, recording strong growth in most regions and maintaining momentum for sustainability services.
Founded in 1828, Bureau Veritas has grown to become a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services. With 83,000 employees delivering services in 140 countries, the company is committed to shaping a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. The acquisition of Contec AQS, Exenet, and PMPI is a testament to Bureau Veritas' dedication to innovation and excellence in the Buildings and Infrastructure sector.
In summary, the acquisition of Contec AQS and its subsidiaries represents a significant milestone for Bureau Veritas. This strategic move will enhance its capabilities and expand its leadership in the Buildings and Infrastructure market. The union with Contec AQS, Exenet, and PMPI will undoubtedly bring added value to clients and solidify Bureau Veritas' position as a leader in the industry.