Exova snaps up Welsh soil and water analysis outfit

Edinburgh-based materials testing group Exova has acquired a Welsh business that specialises in testing contaminated water and soil.

Exova said the takeover provided a 'great foundation for further growth'. Picture: Contributed

Jones Environmental Forensics, based in Flintshire, was founded in 2007 and employs more than 150 specialists. It generated revenues of about £8 million last year, selling its services mainly to global environmental consultants, with its ultimate end customers often including oil producers and mining companies.

No value was disclosed for the takeover, which comes after Exova struck an £18 million deal in May to sell ten laboratories – including two in Scotland – to Eurofins Scientific. The group said the sale of its food, water and pharmaceutical business in the UK and Ireland would help it focus on other areas such as aerospace and industrial products testing.

Exova completed eight takeovers in 2015 and chief executive Ian El-Mokadem said today: “Acquiring Jones complements our existing operations by enhancing Exova’s technical expertise in environmental services and offers a great foundation for further growth in the UK and internationally.

“This addition to our portfolio exemplifies our strategy of providing more technically demanding services, growing our capabilities and increasing market share through carefully considered strategic acquisitions.”