PE backed construction industry specialist completes another acquisition
A Doncaster-based construction industry testing specialist has acquired an independent construction testing company headquartered in Leicester.
Construction Testing Solutions (CTS), which is backed by Palatine Private Equity, has bought Nicholls Colton Group for an undisclosed sum as part of its ambitious growth strategy.
Nicholls Colton was founded in 1965 and employs over 100 staff, operating from bases across the UK.
It is a well-established consultancy and testing business providing a variety of solutions to the civil engineering sector.
This is the second bolt-on acquisition that CTS has completed in the past three months, having acquired Surrey-based Card Geotechnics Limited (CGL) in November 2020.
The acquisition follows the rebranding of CET Infrastructure into the CTS brand, with this newest deal enhancing CTS’ offering with the addition of in-house chemistry testing capabilities.
Phil Coles, CTS CEO, said: “The Nicholls Colton Group acquisition strengthens our position in the UK construction testing market and provides numerous synergies and opportunities that benefit both CTS and our clients.
“Both myself and the business are excited about working with Ian Elliot and the Nicholls Colton team; our businesses are stronger together, bringing greater capability and scale to our existing offering and providing significant future growth opportunities.
“This acquisition complements the CGL deal announced just two months ago and reinforces our commitment to growth in this sector in attracting market leading talent and capability to our business.”
Law firm Browne Jacobson’s private equity team supported CTS with the transaction.
Birmingham-based private equity partner Gareth Davies, alongside Manchester-based senior associate Ryan Brown and associate Bethany Pickup, advised CTS on the acquisition with banking partner Shaun McCabe and associate Chereta Edmeade advising on the financing aspects.
Davies said: “We are delighted to have advised on this latest acquisition for CTS. The group’s buy and build strategy since Palatine invested has proved highly successful.
“The acquisition of Nicholls Colton is another strong fit within its growing portfolio, further broadening the breadth and depth of the technical services it offers clients and only adds to CTS’ status as a leading provider of construction industry related testing and consultancy services in the UK.”
