testing

ATS Labs, a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners, has acquired the assets of MicroTest Labs, a provider of testing services for the medical devices.

MicroTest Labs (MTL) is a provider of testing services for the medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.  The services provided by MTL enhance product safety and security, speed time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption.  The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Agawam, MA (www.MicroTestLabs.com).

ATS Labs is a provider of antimicrobial and biocide testing services, Customers include developers, manufacturers, and users of antimicrobial products. The company is based near Minneapolis in Eagan, MN (www.ATS-Labs.com).

The acquisition of MTL is the first step in the strategy of ATS to expand its microbiology and chemistry laboratory services platform to support the medical device and biopharmaceutical industries.  The combined companies will soon be known as Accuratus Lab Services.  It is expected that administrative functions will be consolidated, but the company will continue to operate at its locations in Eagan, MN and Agawam, MA.

“The acquisition of MicroTest by ATS has been a long time in the making and I could not be more pleased about the future of the two companies and how they will combine to create the market leader in providing microbiology and analytical chemistry testing services,” said Dr. Steve Richter, CEO of MicroTest Labs.

Ampersand Capital Partners makes middle market growth equity investments in the healthcare sector. Over the past twenty years, Ampersand has raised seven funds and invested in more than forty private healthcare companies. These activities have produced a 24% net pooled internal rate of return to the firm’s limited partners. Ampersand is based in Wellesley, MA (www.ampersandcapital.com).

“Like ATS, MicroTest has a strong reputation in the industries it serves, which is supported by long-standing client relationships. Leveraging the strengths of the two companies will only further enhance our ability to continuously exceed our client’s expectations,” said Dr. Tom Burnell, Executive Chairman of ATS.

 2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 7-14-14

Desert NDT, a portfolio company of Sterling Partners, has acquired T&K Inspection, a provider of industrial X-ray services. Jerry Thompson and Ken Kain, co-owners of T&K Inspection will continue to oversee operations of the company.

T&K Inspection provides industrial X-ray services to customers in North Dakota and Montana. The company is based in Williston, ND (no website found).

“T&K Inspection offers the most experienced and longest established nondestructive testing services team in the Bakken Shale region,” said Larry Ames, CEO of Desert NDT. “Desert’s partnership with this company represents yet another important step toward providing market-leading service to our clients in all of the United States’ major oil and gas production basins.”

Desert NDT’s non-destructive testing services span the entire life cycle of oil and gas assets, from initial installation through ongoing integrity program management. Desert serves customers primarily in the Southwest and offers ultrasonic testing, digital X-Ray and integrity management services in addition to traditional X-Ray testing. Desert NDT was founded in 1989 and is based in Odessa, TX (www.desertndt.com).

Alan Macksey, a Sterling Partners managing director, noted sharply rising oil and natural gas production in the Bakken Shale region has boosted demand for reliable nondestructive testing services for pipelines and midstream infrastructure.  “Desert NDT’s acquisition of T&K Inspection mirrors the strategy behind our initial investment in the business,” he said. “Desert NDT is an emerging leader in midstream inspection and integrity services and we will continue to aggressively pursue growth opportunities that bring expanded service capabilities to the company’s clients.”

Sterling Partners invests growth capital in industries with positive, long-term trends and provides ongoing support to management through a dedicated team of industry veterans, operators, strategy experts and human capital professionals. Sectors of interest include education, healthcare and business services. The firm was founded in 1983 and has offices in Chicago, Baltimore, and Miami (www.sterlingpartners.com).

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 2-6-13

Desert NDT, a provider of nondestructive inspection services and a portfolio company of Sterling Partners, has acquired Midwest Inspection Services. This is Desert’s first purchase since being acquired by Sterling Partners in March 2012.

“Desert NDT aspires to be the provider, employer and acquirer of choice in this sector, and we plan to grow our business aggressively, through both organic expansion and acquisitions,” said Doug Frey, CEO of Desert NDT. “We have a robust acquisition pipeline.”

Midwest Inspection Services provides a variety of nondestructive testing services to the midstream oil and gas sector in Colorado and Nebraska. Its services include industrial radiography, ultrasonics, magnetic particle inspection, liquid penetrant inspection and certified welding inspection. David Ezzell and his father Raymond have been co-owners of Midwest Inspection Services since 1985. David Ezzell will continue to oversee the operations of Midwest’s locations. Midwest employs more than 200 people and operates four locations, including Perryton (headquarters) and Pharr, TX; Elk City, OK; and Brighton, CO. (no website found).

Desert’s non-destructive testing services span the entire life cycle of oil and gas assets, from initial installation through ongoing integrity program management. Desert serves customers primarily in the Southwest and offers ultrasonic testing, digital X-Ray and integrity management services in addition to the traditional X-Ray testing. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Odessa, TX (www.desertndt.com).

“With the addition of Midwest Inspection Services, Desert NDT is creating a powerful inspection and integrity services footprint across the country’s leading oil-and-gas production regions,” said Mr. Frey. “Desert now offers services across 10 states through 15 locations, including a new office established in Bismarck, ND to service the strategically important Bakken Shale play.”

Alan Macksey, a Sterling Partners managing director, noted that sharply rising U.S. oil and natural gas production has boosted demand for reliable nondestructive testing services for pipelines and midstream infrastructure. “Desert NDT’s acquisition of Midwest is consistent with the strategy behind our initial investment in the business,” he said. “We back strong companies in growing industries, and Desert NDT is an emerging leader in midstream inspection and integrity services.”

Sterling Partners invests growth capital in industries with positive, long-term trends and provides ongoing support to management through a dedicated team of industry veterans, operators, strategy experts and human capital professionals. Sectors of interest include education, healthcare and business services. The firm has offices in Chicago, IL; Baltimore, MD; and Miami, FL (www.sterlingpartners.com).

© 2012 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 9-6-12