Testing firm expands with 'milestone' acquisition

A testing, inspection and certification services firm has expanded with a takeover.

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland has bought LSTC Group.

Bosses say the move has bolstered the company’s engineering and asset inspection services offer.

They add the “significant milestone” deal will enable Burton-upon-Trent-headquartered SOCOTEC UK & Ireland to “reach a new level of scale and capability in the power transmission and distribution sector”.

Working from offices on either side of the Irish Sea, SOCOTEC UK & Ireland provides services across sectors including construction, energy, facilities management and rail.

Founded in 1954, LSTC – headquartered in Driffield, East Yorkshire – supports transmission owners, distribution network operators, independent connection providers and project developers across the energy infrastructure sector.

Its portfolio includes overhead line design and CAD services, geotechnical assessments and asset inspection work.

Matthew Marriott, SOCOTEC UK & Ireland chief executive, said: “LSTC's expertise in serving the UK’s regulated energy infrastructure sector, combined with their talented team, will significantly strengthen our engineering capabilities and expand our asset inspection offer.”

Tim Wilkins, LSTC chair, added: “Joining forces with SOCOTEC UK & Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to expand our engineering, design, survey and inspection services.”

LSTC has further offices in London, Derby, Hull, Tadcaster, Caerphilly and Cape Town.

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