Intertek acquires Automotive Research Laboratory (ARL)

01 Nov 2005

Intertek, the global testing, inspection and certification company, announces the signing of an agreement to acquire Automotive Research Laboratory (“ARL”) from PerkinElmer for US$34.5m (£19.5m). Completion of the acquisition is expected to take place on or before the 11th November 2005.

ARL provides independent testing services on automotive fuels and oils for regulatory and performance standards and is one of the market leaders in this field. ARL complements the existing oil and chemical testing business within Caleb Brett, especially the recently acquired business of PARC that tests automotive lubricants at the research and development stage. In addition, a smaller part of the business comprises automotive component testing and this will be combined with Intertek Entela.

ARL operates from a single site in San Antonio, Texas, employs 144 people and is expected to have annual revenue in 2005 of approximately US$24m (£13.5m). The management team and staff will continue to run the business utilising the Intertek global laboratory network to pursue growth in North America and overseas.