Browne Jacobson advise CTS Group on acquisition of In Situ testing specialists

Browne Jacobson’s private equity (PE) dealmakers have advised Palatine Private Equity backed CTS Group (Construction Testing Solutions Limited) on its acquisition of In Situ Site Investigation, a market leader in Cone Penetration Testing and Pressuremeter techniques and ground investigation services.

This latest transaction will support CTS in its ambitions to create a holistic premium construction testing, consulting, inspection and compliance company and further bolsters its testing capabilities.

Leicester based CTS, which has a national UK reach, specialises in the provision of geotechnical consulting, construction materials testing and surveying and monitoring services. The business works with various sectors within the construction market, including commercial, rail, road, residential, airports, tunnelling, mining, and utilities as well as brownfield regeneration.

Award-winning Situ Site Investigation, which is headquartered in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex and has an international operation, was founded in 2008 by Managing Director Darren Ward. The business, which employs 37 people across its various sites has experienced stead growth since its inception. It specialises in the use of Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) techniques including seismic, shear vane, video cone, magnetometer, MiHpt & MOSTAP sampling.

The deal team, which included specialist lawyers from across Browne Jacobson’s Manchester and Birmingham offices, was led by partner, Ryan Brown, with assistance from associate, Harpinder Nahl. Senior associate Rebecca Burge advised on the corporate tax elements of the transaction whilst client relationship partner and PE specialist, Gareth Davies supported the team in the delivery of the transaction. Partner Ian Deakin advised the client on the employment side of the transaction and senior associate Michael Parkinson gave real estate advice.

Ryan Brown added: “We are delighted to have supported CTS in what is now their seventh acquisition in an impressive 18 months. The business is really thriving and has made some fantastic strategic decisions and investments in that 18-month period which are really starting to have a positive impact on the group and its reputation as the UK’s leading geotechnical consultants in the construction industry.

“In Situ Site Investigation have a strong service offering in site testing and are supported by a talented team of specialists. They will be a great addition to the ever-growing CTS portfolio.”

Phil Coles, Chief Executive Officer of CTS said: “In Situ Site Investigation is an extraordinary company with a fantastic service offering and team, an incredible reputation and we are thrilled that they are joining the CTS Group. Continuing to grow our capabilities and expand our portfolio whilst at the same time growing and further strengthening our client relationships across our business is critical to our ongoing success and is at the very heart of our strategy. 

“The whole Browne Jacobson team who collaborated on this deal have in their usual way gone the extra mile and delivered an excellent and joined up client experience. They always ensure the advice they give is clear and in line with the current market which really helps to take the pressure off when making important commercial decisions that are going to have a lasting impact on our business.”

Browne Jacobson’s private equity team is part of the firm’s national corporate finance and banking & finance practice. It is made up of over 50 corporate and banking & finance expert lawyers delivering complex layered transactions to a broad client base, which includes UK and international corporates of all sizes - from high growth companies to FTSE 100 companies to institutional investors, as well as advising entrepreneurs and management teams.