APPLUS+ Acquires U.S. Non-Destructive Testing Leading Group; Applus+, World Leader in This Industry, Strengthens Its Strategic Position in North America

Barcelona - Applus+, one of the ten largest certification companies and the top Spanish multinational in that area, announces today the acquisition of JanX Integrity Group (“JanX”), a US market leader in non¬destructive testing and inspection (NDTI). JanX will be integrated in Applus RTD, the largest NDTI provider worldwide, strengthening its strategic position and increasing its service offering in the US. This operation will allow Applus+ to reach revenues of 100M USD in the United States.

This acquisition fits in the growth and consolidation policy stated by the strategic plan and approved by the new shareholders. This program is based in three pillars: leadership, growth and profitability.

SECOND ACQUISITION
This is the second acquisition since The Carlyle Group and a consortium led by Caixa Catalunya took over the majority of the company last November. Applus+ started 2008 buying MBI, UK non¬destructive testing leader.

JanX and MBI operations reinforce Applus+ strategy of taking over leading companies to complete its services portfolio or strengthen its presence in strategic regions.

US LEADER
JanX is a leading NDT company in the US with a blue chip client base, including pipeline operators, refineries and chemical plants and has more than 200 unionized employees. JanX’s headquarters are located in Parma, Michigan, with 14 supporting offices throughout the U.S.

JanX is primarily focused on the on¬shore pipeline markets offering high quality X¬Ray based testing, pipeline integrity services, project management and consultancy services. John Newland, founder and director of JanX, will continue to manage the operations of the company and will become part of the Applus RTD senior management team in the US.

“International expansion in key regions such as North America is an important element of our strategic plan,” explains Applus+ CEO, Joaquim Coello. “JanX acquisition will strengthen Applus RTD position as market leader, increasing its service offering and enlarging its first¬level client base”.

News release
Rob van Doorn, director of Applus RTD highlights the strategic importance of the acquisition. “The accumulation of pipeline work in the US has led customers to look for vendors that can provide high¬level services and the capability to complete big projects. Applus RTD has a strong reputation in the US offshore markets and the Canadian land¬based market, where we are already market leader. The incorporation of a well¬established local company, such as JanX, will allow us to increase our client base, responding in a positive way to their demands.”

With over 70 years’ experience, Applus RTD has offices in more than 20 countries in all continents, employing over 2,000 workers. Its business is focused on NDT, Inspection and Integrity Services to ensure installations’ production, quality, integrity and safety.

Applus RTD
In April 2006, Applus+ acquired 100% of the Dutch RTD Group, which became the Applus+ division dedicated to inspections and non¬destructive testing in the chemical and petrochemical industry, energy and other similar industries (gas, etc.).
Today the division contributes to more than 25% of Applus+ turnover, and is experimenting strong growth. During 2007, Applus RTD absorbed four companies: Vantage and DCI in the Netherlands; PNDT in Australia, and RMI in Norway. In January 2008, the company took over MB Inspection, UK market leader, strengthening its world leadership in NDTI.

Applus+, a global certification company
Applus+ (www.applus.com) is a leading company in testing, inspection, certification and technological services. It is one of the ten largest companies in the certification industry at worldwide level and the top Spanish multinational in that area. The company also has worldwide leading positions in vehicles inspection and non¬destructive testing, and is in the top three at European level in inspection, technical assistance and laboratories.

The company carries out certification activities and global technological services including: inspection, calibration, testing, approval, technical assistance, training, technology transfer, management, optimization, engineering and R&D. The company, whose CEO is Joaquim Coello, employs more than 9,000 persons and had revenues of €675M in 2007. The Carlyle Group is majority shareholder of Applus+ since November 2007.

Applus+ serves more than 25 industries – agribusiness, automotive, construction, transportation, energy, the environment and telecommunications, among others –, and on all five continents. The company’s headquarters are located in Barcelona, Madrid and A Coruña. The offices in Chicago (USA) and Shanghai (China) lead the business development activities in the Americas and Asia. The Applus+ RTD corporate offices are located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

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