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Having your business’s equipment regularly tested and certified so it’s up to standard is crucial. Doing this allows businesses to adhere to all of the necessary health and safety standards that are needed and in tandem helps lower to company’s risk of liability. Not complying with the regulations and avoiding following this process could be disastrous for a business and could result in nasty fines or even closure. West Midlands Business News will be looking at a company that provides businesses with the means of completing these important processes, the Phenna Group.
How It Started
Phenna Group has grown remarkably since the company began life in April 2019. It all began following a management buyout led by Paul Barry and then the group’s rapid expansion began with the acquisition of Professional Soils Laboratory and Building Envelope Technologies in May 2019, marking its entry into the geotechnical and building testing sectors. By July 2019, Phenna had invested over £4 million in Hansen Aerospace, which nailed down the company’s ambition and made it a market leader within its position in the aerospace industry.
Throughout 2019, Phenna continued to expand its portfolio, acquiring GMES for electrical inspection services and ACS for testing in the construction and civil engineering sectors. They continued this process into 2020 with significant acquisitions, including Approval Specialists Pty and Code A Weld, marking Phenna’s first venture into the Australian market. The group’s ambitious growth strategy was further supported by a partnership with Inflexion, a private equity investor, in November 2020.
Phenna’s expansion was not limited to the UK and Australia. In February 2022, the group also entered the Asian market with the acquisition of A-Star Testing & Inspection. This move was complemented by the acquisition of Stroma Group. The group’s acquisition spree continued with notable additions, such as NAPIT Group, Celtest, and Complete Laboratory Solutions, extending its reach into North Wales and the food and health sciences market. You could say that Phenna is the Chelsea of buying and acquiring businesses, but unlike the football club from West London, what Phenna are doing in such a small space of time is remarkable and displays incredible business acumen.
Further Acquisitions
By 2023, Phenna had solidified its presence in multiple sectors and regions. The acquisition of RammSanderson in January 2023 marked its entry into ecological consultancy, while the acquisition of PKI Solutions expanded its cybersecurity capabilities. The group’s strategic focus on water compliance services began with the acquisition of Sayvol in March 2023, followed by the acquisition of Evolution Water Services and Trident Water Solutions in 2024.
Projects In The Midlands
The group announced some major news for the East Midlands with one of its latest projects, a new state-of-the-art testing laboratory. The Lab is going to be based in Leicester and is set to open in 2024. This move will bring plenty of new jobs to The Midlands which is welcome news in today’s struggling job market. The group also made strategic acquisitions in the fire safety sector with Tri Fire in July 2024, further diversifying its service offerings. By the group’s fifth anniversary in April 2024, it had established a strong global presence, with recent acquisitions in Latin America, Australia, and the UK, including Grupo FS, Resolve Group, and MBC Group.
In just five years, Phenna Group has grown into a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services. We here at West Midlands Business News can’t wait to see what else is in store for the company and will be keeping close tabs on the developments with the company’s new project in Leicester.
