A Staffordshire-based testing and inspection specialist has strengthened its fire safety offering with the acquisition of an independent fire testing laboratory in Scotland.
SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, whose headquarters are in Burton upon Trent, has acquired UK Testing and Certification (UKTC), based in East Kilbride, as part of its strategic growth across the UK.
The move expands SOCOTEC’s capabilities in fire safety and compliance, and comes in response to the evolving regulatory landscape following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the introduction of the Building Safety Act.
It is the fourteenth acquisition made by SOCOTEC UK and Ireland since 2018 and the second in Scotland, following the purchase of Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys last July.
Matthew Marriott, CEO of SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, said: “The acquisition of UKTC represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy and commitment to enhancing building safety across the UK.
“This marks our second acquisition in Scotland within the last 12 months, demonstrating our intention to continue investing in this important region, as well as developing our capabilities to serve clients through the UK and Ireland.”
UKTC provides fire resistance testing, reaction to fire testing and certification services across a range of building materials and systems. Its UKAS-accredited facilities enable comprehensive assessment of products and materials against British, European and international standards.
Director David Brown will continue to lead the laboratory operations under SOCOTEC’s ownership.
He said: “Joining forces with SOCOTEC UK and Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to expand our testing provisions and deliver enhanced services to our clients.
“Our East Kilbride facility has become the centre of excellence for fire testing in UK, and as part of SOCOTEC, we look forward to building on that legacy while accessing wider resources and expertise.”
SOCOTEC CEO Hervé Montjotin added: “The move aligns with SOCOTEC Group’s global expertise in fire safety, with over 300 fire safety experts worldwide, allowing the UK operation to leverage internationally held knowledge and skillsets from across the company’s presence in 27 countries.
“SOCOTEC’s global fire and building safety portfolio includes specialised centres of excellence across Europe, the Middle East and the USA.”
