INTERTEK Group (Intertek), the leading international provider of quality services to a wide range of industries has announced that it has acquired NDT Services Limited (NSL), a provider of non-destructive testing (NDT) services to the aerospace, power and petrochemical sectors.

NSL offers on-site and laboratory based NDT of industrial components used in a wide range of applications such as aircraft, pipelines, power stations, refineries and oil platforms. NDT can help assure safety and reliability by identifying any flaws or defects in products or components without disrupting operations or delaying processes. As a quality assurance management tool, NDT can help avoid potential loss of productivity through unplanned plant shutdowns which may occur if materials, products or equipment fail to achieve their design requirements or projected life span. In addition NSL also operates a technical staffing service, offering supplemental qualified NDT engineers to clients experiencing peaks in demand.

Demand for NDT has grown, driven by increasing regulation and standardisation, extension of asset lifespans, shortage in NDT expertise and the need to protect reputation from product failure and recall. Holding a number of industry accreditations and approvals essential for operation, NSL is a regional market leader in providing NDT services in the aerospace sector and a prominent operator in the power sector for the provision of on-site outsourced NDT expertise. Their NDT laboratory in the UK is widely recognised in Europe as a high quality facility.

With headquarters in Derby, UK, NSL enhances Intertek’s existing quality and integrity management services for owners and operators in the aerospace, power, oil, gas and petrochemical sectors and will form part of Intertek’s Industry and Assurance division. NSL provides an opportunity to build on Intertek’s existing analytical and asset integrity management capabilities through the provision of high quality NDT services and direct access to a database of over 700 qualified NDT technicians.

Intertek ... leading provider of global quality solutions

Stefan Butz, group executive vice president of Intertek’s Industry and Assurance division says: “I am pleased to welcome NSL to our growing portfolio of industrial inspection and asset integrity management services. This complementary addition demonstrates Intertek’s commitment to offer a complete NDT technical services proposition to our oil, gas, petrochemical and power customers. In addition, by combining Intertek’s global presence and existing analytical capabilities with NSL’s strong reputation and market leading position within the European aerospace we can extend a full service solution to our aerospace customers.”

Graham Tomlinson, managing director of NDT Services Limited says: “I am very proud to have attracted the attention of such a prestigious and high profile organisation as Intertek. By joining Intertek’s Industry and Assurance division NSL will have the opportunity to develop further into industries in which our highly qualified personnel have considerable expertise. The two businesses complement each other perfectly and we are looking forward to offering NDT services to Intertek’s customer base. I’m sure NSL will go from strength-to-strength in both UK and European markets as part of the Intertek group.”

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers’ products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 33,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek helps its clients to meet end users’ expectations across increasingly diverse quality, health, environmental, safety and social accountability aspects in virtually any market around the world.

PARTNERSHIP WITH ABU DHABI QCC
Earlier, the company entered into partnership with the Abu Dhabi Government Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) to support the quality programme for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The long term partnership has different stages of activity. Intertek will initially provide advisory services for the development of more effective quality conformity schemes for specified products and systems. Following this, Intertek will provide operational management services and quality assurance support for QCC’s existing testing and certification resources whilst underpinning the establishment of new testing capabilities for an extended range of products. Intertek will then work with QCC to establish centers of excellence in Abu Dhabi covering major sectors such as food and water, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, building materials and electrical appliances.

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 by the Government of Abu Dhabi to increase quality of the UAE’s exports and to assure quality of imports and domestic goods across many industries. In line with the Economic Vision 2030, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is diversifying and broadening its economic base with a range of new industry, social, health, infrastructure and export development initiatives.

Intertek’s selection by QCC recognises Intertek’s capabilities as the leading provider of global quality solutions and its experience in delivering effective quality outsourcing programmes across diverse global markets and industries.

The programme will draw upon Intertek’s extensive expert knowledge and laboratories in a range of industries including pharmaceutical and biopharmaceuticals safety and quality, medicine safety and authenticity, medical devices certification and testing, food safety and authenticity as well as consumer and commercial product quality.

The programme will support the development of the Emirate’s quality framework and products to meet higher expectations of quality and safety from its growing population.

QCC Secretary General, Hussain Salem Al Katheeri says: “Directly in line with Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Economic Vision, Intertek’s guidance and technical support will underpin the development of the region’s quality framework. This will enhance the quality of Abu Dhabi exports and those products traded locally whilst also serving to enforce higher quality and safety standards of imported goods for the protection of Abu Dhabi consumers. It will also help train local talent to continue the development of the Emirate’s quality programme.”

Wolfhart Hauser, Intertek chief executive, says: “We are honoured to be selected by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council to support the development of its quality programme in the Emirate. We look forward to partnering with QCC to implement a world-class quality framework that is responsive to the unique needs of their region and which will play a valuable role in its dynamic economy.”

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers’ products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 33,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek helps its clients to meet end users’ expectations across increasingly diverse quality, health, environmental, safety and social accountability aspects in virtually any market around the world.