Home Testing, Inspection, Certification (TIC)
Home Testing, Inspection, Certification (TIC)

The Testing, Inspection and Certification sector provides conformity assessment services in order to protect people and the environment.

The Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector provides conformity assessment services to ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of products, processes, and systems across all industries. The TIC market is characterised by a number of trends including a proliferation of standards and regulations, increased complexity of procedures, control and predictive technologies, sustained consolidation of suppliers and growing interest from customers and users for safety and social responsibility. The sector is crucial in facilitating trade, reducing risks, and meeting regulatory requirements. TIC services are in demand across diverse industries, including consumer goods, food, energy, automotive, and manufacturing.

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Expert and Experienced: Achieving Success with our Senior Industry Experts

Our team consists of seasoned professionals with deep industry networks and sector-specific expertise, ensuring every project is backed by strategic insight and returns of experience.

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Local footprint: Leveraging our In-Depth Cultural and Market Knowledge

With extensive knowledge of the countries and cultures we operate in, we succeed in matching the unique dynamics of each market and business case and in delivering seamless and respectful cross-border projects.

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Professional and Hands-On: Relying on executable strategies

We offer a hands-on, project-driven approach to strategy and M&A, specializing in cross-border transactions with a focus on delivering tangible results through tailored, detail-oriented execution.

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Victanis has built a solid reputation as a strategy advisor to the TIC sector 

As specialists in the TIC sector, Victanis offers deep knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and competitive landscapes and provides valuable insights into specific subsectors within TIC, such as building compliance, food safety, automotive testing, and various types of certification services. 

For more than 12 years, Victanis has advised a large variety of TIC companies and financial sponsors with their growth and investment strategy in several ways: 

  • Mergers and Acquisitions Support by assisting TIC companies and sponsors in identifying and evaluating potential acquisition targets and in conducting due diligence for TIC acquisitions; 
  • Market Analysis and Entry Strategies by conducting detailed market assessments and helping devise appropriate market entry strategies  

  • Strategic Advisory by providing insights into market positioning, growth strategy, and future prospects and refining assumptions about investments and acquisitions. 

  • Customer and Market Insights by leveraging its own network of industry experts to gather first-hand views and information from end users and enriching their analysis and recommendations.


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The Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) companies face several key challenges when developing their growth strategy 

While all looking at delivering significant growth, both organic and through acquisitions, TIC companies have to manage a variety of unique market characteristics that are perceived as challenges for some and opportunities for others. 

Such characteristics include :

  • Keeping pace with evolving industry standards and national and international regulations

  • Varying regulatory requirements across industries and geographies and the lack of standardization

  • The increasing competition within the TIC industry, leading to price pressures

  • The high costs of TIC services, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises

  • Rapid technological advancements requiring continuous adaptation and including the use of UAVs for remote inspection, of Artificial Intelligence for condition assessment and predictive maintenance, of simulation software and digital twins for the faster development of safer vehicles

  • The digitalization of services and the need for the strengthening of cybersecurity measures accordingly

  • The considerable acceleration of the consolidation of the market by companies and investors who want to take advantage of a fragmented market with many small players

  • The shortage of skilled professionals in specialized areas

  • Balancing speed and accuracy in testing and certification processes

  • Meeting sustainability and environmental compliance demands 

Victanis work with board directors and senior managers responsible for strategy, country managers and Private Equity funds looking to invest in the TIC sector and help them take advantage of the TIC market characteristics. Victanis help their TIC customers :

  • Develop robust investment thesis and growth strategies,  

  • Enter new sectors and geographies,  

  • Expand as a result of organic growth or acquisitions 

  • Anticipate the entry into force of new standards or the possible outsourcing of certain controls 

  • Develop a unique and specialised TIC offering 

  • Integrate technical innovations and accelerate the digitisation of traditional TIC services 

  • Create and develop partnerships (services, technological, geographical) 

  • Continuously improve their services to remain competitive and relevant.

Discover our services tailored to the TIC sector

  • Strategy & growth consulting

  • Company acquistion

  • Company sale

Strategic review

Victanis conducts thorough strategic audits that drive meaningful improvements in governance, performance and business attractiveness

Market analysis

Victanis conducts analysis of markets which are crucial to understand consumer behaviour and market trends

Competition analysis

Victanis are experts at delivering insightful competitive analysis for business to stay agile and innovative

Growth strategy

Victanis help businesses achieve growth that is both profitable and sustainable

M&A strategy

Victanis’s experience in the development of M&A strategies provides our clients with value creation certainty

Voice of customer

Victanis has developed a robust expertise in conducting VoC exercises that provide insights into customer preferences and grievances, and enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty

Identifying suitable targets

Victanis specialize in helping businesses identify suitable target companies for mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We conduct comprehensive market analysis, evaluate industry trends, and apply industry insight to find the perfect fit for your growth objectives.

Approaching targets

At Victanis, we take a careful professional approach to engaging with suitable target companies. handling the outreach with precision, discretion and pertinence. We focus on building relationships, facilitating open communication and, paving the way for successful transactions.

Strategic or commercial Due Diligence

Our Strategic Due Diligence (DD) services provide in-depth analysis beyond financial reviews, assessing the target company's strategic fit, market positioning, operational strengths, and potential risks. By understanding both the opportunities and challenges ahead, we equip you with the knowledge to navigate complex transactions and maximize value. Trust our expertise to ensure your M&A strategy is built on solid, well-researched foundations.

Management of the transaction

At Victanis, we manage all aspects of your M&A transaction, from stakeholder assessment and confidential information review to project management, negotiation support, and post-completion planning. Our end-to-end service ensures seamless execution, clear communication, and successful outcomes, tailored to your M&A project.

Post acquisition integration

Our post-acquisition services are designed to ensure a smooth integration and maximize the value of your acquisition. We assist with operational alignment, cultural integration, and strategic planning to help you realize synergies and long-term growth.

Information memorandum and financial documentation

The careful preparation of transaction documents is crucial to create a positive first impression and to provide a fair view on a company’s positioning and future trajectory.

Identification and qualification of potential buyers

Selecting the most adequate potential buyers is a critical part of a sell side process.

Transaction management

At Victanis, we manage all phases and aspects of your sell-side process. Our end-to-end service ensures seamless execution, clear communication, and successful outcomes.

A leading test and calibration business operating in materials analysis, acoustic testing, line instrumentation and industrial controls

Challenges

Our client developed in the UK a comprehensive portfolio of automotive systems testing services based around its extensive test-track facilities. The question arose of how to grow their business in Germany, one of the most opportune markets with the United States and Japan.

Approach

  • The approach of Victanis consisted in understanding the German competitive environment in automotive engineering testing: who are the key competitors, existing customer-supplier relationships, pricing pressures and market trends, market volume, and then in identifying potential partnership or acquisition targets and assessing the reputation of these with their main customers.

  • To do this, Victanis interviewed a selection of OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers of automotive systems and potential competitors of our customer in Germany.

Results

Victanis gave the client a clear vision of the market in Germany, its volume, growth prospects and its particular characteristics. The likely essentials for success (positioning, service strategy, price, ...) in entering this market were identified. Victanis then supported the customer in approaching a selection of identified acquisition targets.

Leading provider of marine classification and offshore verification services

Challenges

This client wanted to strengthen its position in the North Sea area and was looking to develop a growth strategy to acquire complementary services with a strong regulatory content as well as innovative technologies for modeling and simulation.

The client quickly decided on a strategy based on M&A because of the complex nature of the skills and experiences that were sought.

 

Approach

  • After a review of a variety of existing and emerging regulations (Water Ballast Monitoring, Emissions Verification), Victanis investigated the specific compliance and verification needs of markets including subsea, marine renewables, integrity management of complex assets, and decommissioning of offshore platforms.

  • This preliminary work allowed the identification of the technical 'niches' on which to focus.

Results

  • Definition of the main strategic goals for the acquisitions

  • Identification and selection of acquisition targets in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Norway

  • Pro-active approach of these targets and assistance with the entire transactional process

  • 3 acquisitions completed between 2014 and 2016.

International group based in the United Kingdom and specialized in the production of testing and certification standards, and the delivery of training and auditing services

Challenges

Our client wanted to enrich their existing proposition with the development or acquisition of strong competencies in the areas of food safety, information security, business resilience and supply chain sustainability

Approach

  • Review of the latest regulations and business needs to better ensure the resilience of their supply chain and the protection of their data and communications

  • Market studies (growth prospects, competitive intensity, ...)

  • Primary research by leveraging Victanis’ network of industry contacts

Results

  • Map of attractive opportunities in Europe and in the United States

  • Detailed screening of targets

  • 2 acquisitions completed since 2016

COTECNA : One of the world’s leading trade inspection, security and certification companies. Among other services, it provides Testing and Inspection services in the areas of commodities such as minerals, metals and agri-food products.

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Challenges

Cotecna has developed a strong testing and inspection capability in countries producing mineral and agricultural commodities in Asia and South America in particular.

Cotecna now wants to develop a similar capacity in Europe to improve the quality control, the safety and traceability of products between the producer and the final customer / consumer.

 

Approach

  • Initially, Victanis conducted a comprehensive screening and analysis of potential acquisition targets as the European market for testing and inspection is mature and governed by a set of European and national standards which does not allow to adopt an organic growth strategy.

  • Victanis then assisted our client with the approach of a narrow list of carefully selected targets operating in 6 different countries in Europe.

Results

The proposed approach has positioned our client as a new and highly credible alternative buyer in Europe and has resulted in the acquisition of a leading Dutch testing laboratory specialised in agri-food products.

Socotec : Acquisition of a German IT Certification specialist company

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Challenges

Socotec, a prominent French global player in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC), sought to expand its footprint in the German market.

To achieve this objective, they enlisted the expertise of Victanis, renowned for its proficiency in the TIC sector and its strategic focus on Central Europe, particularly Germany, France, and the UK. Victanis was tasked with identifying suitable German target companies that met Socotec's criteria and market positioning, and managing the acquisition process through to completion. 

 

Approach

  • Victanis commenced with an in-depth analysis of Socotec's strategy, outlining the criteria for potential target companies. This analysis facilitated the creation of a comprehensive list of potential German companies. Collaborating closely with Socotec, Victanis narrowed this long list to a short list of suitabel targets. 

  • Victanis then initiated contact with these target companies, managing preliminary discussions to gauge mutual interest. Throughout the subsequent phases, from Letter of Intent (LOI) negotiations to Due Diligence and legal Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) negotiations, Victanis provided continuous support as M&A Advisor, ensuring alignment between sellers' expectations and buyers' requirements. 

Results

Victanis expertly managed the entire acquisition process, from identifying and engaging with target companies to overseeing the final closing. This strategic support enabled Socotec to successfully acquire Fox Certification, a German IT Certification specialist, in 2024. 

This reference highlights Victanis' comprehensive approach and successful execution in supporting Socotec’s expansion into the German market, underscoring their capability to manage complex M&A processes effectively. 

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European offices and international partners

Paris - Victanis Advisory Services France

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c/o Logion Finance

159 rue de la Pompe

75116 Paris - France

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Tel :

+33 (0)1 82 88 08 61
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European offices and international partners

London - Victanis Advisory Services Ltd

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Gable House

18-24 Turnham Green Terrace

London W4 1QP - United Kingdom

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Tel :

+44 (0)20 8996 5088
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European offices and international partners

Munich - Victanis Advisory Services GmbH

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Sankt-Paul-Str. 9

80336 Munich - Allemagne

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Tel :

+49 (0)89 99 743 7772
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European offices and international partners

Ljubljana - Victanis Advisory Services Slovenia

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Cankarjeva cesta 3

1000 Ljubljana - Slovénie

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Tel :

+386 01 235 59 95
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