LONDON, UK – 1 November, 2016 – Element has today completed the acquisition of DNV GL’s German materials testing laboratories, further strengthening its European materials testing presence. In September 2016, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ announced that it had entered into a binding agreement with DNV GL subject to obtaining German regulatory approvals which have now been secured.

The DNV GL Laboratories in Germany comprise four ISO:17025/OHSAS:18001-accredited laboratories in Hamburg, Muelheim a.d.R., Herne and Stuttgart/Esslingen, employing over seventy engineers specialized in materials testing, metallurgical testing and failure analysis.

Charles Noall, President and CEO of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, says: ‘’The acquisition of DNV GL’s four German testing laboratories is a hugely important step towards our goal to become the recognized global market leader for materials testing and product qualification testing services. As our recent performance has shown, we have the financial and operational strength to make acquisitions of this scale, as well as a strong track record of integrating and immediately growing these types of business.’’

This is ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½'s second acquisition of the year and it follows the Group's successful $435 million debt restructure and the securing of a new US$95 million capex facility to fund future acquisitions.  In October, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ was recognized as one of Britain’s leading mid-market private companies in the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table and was awarded “2016 Exit of the Year”, together with its previous investor 3i, at the annual British Private Equity awards.

This latest acquisition significantly expands ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s current European footprint to 16 laboratories, adding to the company’s existing German laboratories located in Herne and Berlin and takes the group’s number of Engaged Experts to over 2,000.

About ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½:

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is a company with a global presence; its laboratories are staffed by experts specializing in materials testing, product qualification testing and failure analysis for the Aerospace, Oil & Gas and Transportation and Industrials sectors. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s team of 2,000 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 61 laboratories located throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. For a complete list of Accreditations & Approvals and more information, please visit www.element.com

Media Contact:

Bora Trimcev, Communications Manager, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, tel: +44 (0) 2035 401 820, e-mail: bora.trimcev@element.com

The acquisition of DNV GL’s four German testing laboratories is a hugely important step towards our goal to become the recognized global market leader for materials testing and product qualification testing services.

Charles Noall

President and ceo