Applus+ Acquires the Australian Company JDA, Enhancing its Position in the Australasian Market

The company has offices in Australia, Indonesia
and Papua New Guinea

This deal marks the latest acquisition in Applus+’ strategic growth programme as it consolidates its global position in the testing, inspection & certification field

BARCELONA - Applus+, a global inspection, testing, certification and quality control company, and one of the ten largest companies worldwide in the conformity assessment sector, has acquired the Australian company John Davidson and Associates (JDA). The transaction allows the Spanish company to consolidate its position in Australasia, reinforcing its standing as an international company that provides global support for its customers. Founded in 1990, JDA is a multinational benchmark in inspection services for the Oil and Gas, Mining, Construction, Industry and Engineering sectors with a wide presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The company, which saw revenues of approximately 25 million euros in 2011 and has a staff of 150 workers, has offices in Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

The acquisition of JDA allows Applus+ to consolidate as a benchmark company in the field of inspection, quality control, testing and certification for its international clients, by extending its range of services for the oil and gas industry in a geographical market of high strategic importance.

In the words of Applus+ CEO, Fernando Basabe, “JDA offers us the opportunity to consolidate the service we provide to our customers in Australia and Indonesia. Moving forward, Australia will become one of the company's key markets. JDA's long experience will help us strengthen the positioning of Applus+ services, as well as allowing us to enter a new market such as Papua New Guinea, where major Oil and Gas infrastructure investments are taking place."

Focus on international expansion

The acquisition of JDA is the latest development in Applus+’ international growth strategy. The Spanish multinational has kept a close watch on the best opportunities in emerging markets and industries worldwide and made a number of important strategic acquisitions. As part of Carlyle’s family of companies, Applus is able to leverage the firm’s global network and platform to source opportunities on an international scale. Applus has made 20 international acqusitions since Carlyle invested in the business in 2007.

In 2011 alone, Applus+ acquired a broad range of companies including: BKW, a German provider of testing and material characterization services and a first-tier supplier for Airbus; Kiefner & Associates, a US company specialized in oil & gas pipeline control and Brazilian based Qualitec, specialized in non-destructive testing and inspection services for the oil, gas, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Last year Applus+ also completed the acquisition of Velosi, the former AIM-listed provider of inspection, quality assurance, certification and testing services to the oil & gas industries Velosi, with a workforce of 3,400 and present in emerging markets of Australasia, Middle East and Africa.

Through these acquisitions and its continued organic growth, Applus+ has strengthened its global position as a key player in the testing, inspection & certification (TIC) field and grew its revenues in excess of 35% last year reaching the €1.2 billion mark.

For Basabe, ”as a result of our recent acquisitions, today we’re able to provide a service on a global scale to our multinational clients, such as oil companies, car manufacturers and aerospace companies”. According to Applus+ CEO, “the global platform of our main shareholder, The Carlyle Group, has proven to be a great leverage to source these opportunities”.

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Applus+, a global testing, inspection and certification company
Applus+ is a leading company in testing, inspection, certification and technological services. Moreover, it is one of the ten largest companies in the conformity assessment sector worldwide and the top Spanish multinational in this field. The company, which employs 14,000 people, has Joaquim Coello as its Chairman and Fernando Basabe as its CEO. Applus+, which has been part of the Carlyle Group's portfolio of companies since 2007, is present on 5 continents and provides its services to more than 14 industrial sectors.

The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with $148 billion of assets under management in 89 active funds and 52 fund of fund vehicles as of September 30, 2011. Carlyle invests across four segments, Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Fund of Funds Solutions– in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has developed expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,200 people in 33 offices across six continents.

Media:
Portaveu Comunicacio
Christian De Angelis and Núria Picas
T. +34 93307 7372 | +34654 98 34 84

christian.deangelis@portaveu.com
nuria.picas@portaveu.com

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