Rotherham Testing Firm Completes Sale To MISTRAS

17th June 2014

Irwin Mitchell's Corporate Team In Sheffield Advises On Deal A Rotherham-based specialist equipment testing business has been acquired by US based MISTRAS Group (NYSE: MG) in an undisclosed deal.

Established in 1993 with a strong presence in Aberdeen and Netherlands and led by managing director, David Ackernley, Focus NDT performed non-destructive testing and inspection activities for industries across a comprehensive range of sectors including Oil and Gas, Defence, precision engineering and Aerospace. Methods of testing are Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), Hardness Testing (HT), Eddy Current Testing (ET) and Visual Testing (VT). The acquisition increases the scope of services to include Computed Radiography (CR), Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) and Acoustic Emission (AE). MISTRAS Group is a provider of technology-enabled asset protection solutions, including non-destructive testing (NDT) and destructive testing (DT), used to evaluate the structural integrity and reliability of critical energy, industrial and public infrastructure. MISTRAS delivers its successful strategy of 'Local presence with Global support' through it's over 5,200 employees and over 100 locations worldwide. Matt Ainsworth, Corporate Partner at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield, and James Hillman advised Focus NDT on the deal. Corporate finance advice was provided by Brendan Farrell of Premier Corporate Finance. Hawsons Accountants provided financial and tax advice. Matt said: -MISTRAS is a significant international company and Focus NDT is an ideal fit in terms of its non-destructive testing capability and the sectors that it operates within. This deal demonstrates the strength and global appeal of businesses based in Yorkshire and we are delighted to have advised Focus NDT on the sale.