Tue, 15 Jul 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Testing and certification specialist Socotec UK and Ireland has acquired East Kilbride-based independent fire testing laboratory United Kingdom Testing and Certification (UKTC) in a deal that expands its presence in Scotland.
The deal enhances the group’s fire safety services, amid a shifting regulatory landscape as changes made following the Grenfell Tower disaster reshape compliance obligations under the UK’s Building Safety Act.
UKTC operates a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, providing testing to British, European and global standards. The company has established itself as a key provider of fire resistance and reaction-to-fire testing services for building products.
The firm works with product manufacturers and specifiers, helping them to comply with tightening fire safety regulations, and has built a strong reputation as a supplier of high-integrity fire testing and certification.
The acquisition of UKTC is Socotec’s second in Scotland in a year, following its July 2024 takeover of Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys. The company said that the deal reflected its strategy of expanding its compliance capabilities across the UK and Ireland.
Post-acquisition, UKTC will join Socotec’s broader portfolio, which spans services including fire engineering, fire risk assessment, façade inspections, and third-party certification.
Commenting on the deal, Socotec UK and Ireland CEO Matthew Marriott said that UKTC would enhance the company’s offering at a national level and described it as a major milestone in its “growth strategy and commitment to enhancing building safety across the UK.”
He added that Socotec’s recent acquisitions in Scotland demonstrate the firm’s “intention to continue investing in this important region, as well as developing our capabilities to serve clients throughout the UK and Ireland.”
Following the acquisition, UKTC director David Brown will continue to lead the company, which will maintain its laboratory operations in South Lanarkshire. The facility will now become part of Socotec’s global network, providing clients with technical support throughout the building lifecycle.
David Brown commented: “Joining forces with Socotec UK and Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to invest and expand our testing provisions and deliver enhanced services to our clients. Our East Kilbride facility has become the centre of excellence for fire testing in the UK, and as part of Socotec, we look forward to building on that legacy while accessing wider resources and expertise.”
Socotec, which is based in Burton on Trent and employs more than 2,000 people in the UK, has international fire safety centres in Europe, the USA and the Middle East. The £120 million+-turnover company has more than 300 fire safety experts globally and operates in 27 countries.
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