Browne Jacobson’s PE specialists advise Construction Testing Solutions on acquisition of construction calibration services business

Browne Jacobson’s private equity (PE) dealmakers have advised Palatine Private Equity backed Construction Testing Solutions Limited (CTS) on its acquisition of measurement services company, GT Certification for a confidential consideration.

The transaction will support CTS in its ambitions to further develop its capabilities and enhance its calibration and materials testing offering through the addition of GT Certification to its comprehensive portfolio.

Leicester based CTS which has a national UK reach, specialises in the provision of construction testing, inspection and compliance 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. The CTS group has rapidly expanded since 2020 with a number of key acquisitions completed, including Nicholls Colton, Silkstone Environmental and Mason Evans, all of which Browne Jacobson advised on.

GT Certification, which is located in Tipton, West Midlands, was founded in 2001 and works with a client base dotted across the breadth of the UK. They specialise in construction materials testing and torque and force calibration services. In addition to its calibration services, the company provides a broad range of solutions to regional and national developers, construction contractors and specialised industrial flooring companies.

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, Bethany Pickup and associate, Harpinder Nahl. Senior associate Rebecca Burge advised on the corporate tax element of the transaction whilst client relationship partner and PE specialist, Gareth Davies supported the team in the delivery of the transaction.

Phil Coles, Chief Executive Officer of CTS said: “I’m delighted to welcome the GT Certification team to the CTS Group. Continuing to grow our capabilities and expand our portfolio while 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 acquisition of GT Certification continues to support our overall strategy and ambition to become the industry leading provider for all associated services to the construction sector through a robust programme of acquisitions and organic growth.

“I would also like to thank the Browne Jacobson team for their dedicated support and excellent commercial advice on another fantastic and important investment for the group. They have helped deliver on another successful deal, within a fairly tight timeframe and their ability to respond to our requirements are what make them a very good partner for CTS.”

Ryan Brown added: “Having advised CTS on all of its bolt-on acquisitions, we feel we have a deep understanding of their business and the strategic objectives they want to achieve with each acquisition. CTS is a very ambitious business with a clear vision of what they want to achieve. We are delighted to be helping the team reach their growth strategy goals.”

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.

The practice is also consistently ranked by Experian and in 2021, it was named ‘Corporate Law Firm of the Year’ at the Midlands Dealmakers Awards and ‘Regional Legal Adviser of the Year’ at the European Private Equity Awards, an accolade it was shortlisted for again in 2022.