Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group, which invests in and partners with niche independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies, has made a trio of acquisitions, seeing Atlantic Testing Laboratories, Great Place To Work, and the Ecology Division of Ground Control Ltd join the group.
Snapping up Atlantic Testing Laboratories (ATL), a full-service engineering support firm headquartered in Canton, New York State, Phenna significantly strengthens its presence in the United States. ATL, which has 270 employees and 11 offices, will be an integral part of the firm’s Americas Region, delivering TICC expertise to roads, pavements, groundworks and utilities sectors.
Eric D’Orio, Divisional MD, Americas for Phenna Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome ATL into Phenna Group.
“ATL has built an outstanding reputation for excellence in engineering support services, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our strategy of investing in high-quality businesses that share our commitment to safety, integrity, and customer value. We look forward to working closely with ATL’s talented team to drive continued success.”
Marijean Remington, CEO of ATL, said: “After nearly 60 years of dedication and innovation in the industry, ATL recognized the need for a strategic partner to help propel our growth and enhance the breadth of services we offer in construction materials, drilling/geotechnical, and environmental.
“We are thrilled to have found that partner in the Phenna Group, whose expertise and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision for the future. Together, we look forward to an exciting new chapter of expanded capabilities and opportunities, continuing our legacy of delivering exceptional value to our clients.”
Phenna Group were advised by RSM and Eversheds Sutherland. ATL were advised by Hancock Estabrook and The Bonadio Group.
The acquisition of Great Place To Work secures a recognised and leading brand that augments Phenna’s certification and compliance division in the United Kingdom and will allow the business to generate significant cross selling opportunities across its group of companies.
Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Backed by 30 years of data, their globally recognised Great Place To Work Certification and Best Workplaces Lists enable employers to attract and retain talent, benchmark company culture, and increase revenues.
Kunle Malomo, CEO of Great Place to Work UK, said: “Selecting the right partner to support our mission and growth ambitions was a major decision for myself and co-shareholders.
“Since my very first interaction, I’ve felt confident we have found an equally like-minded partner who will help us reach our vision of a great place to work for all and who also shares our people-focused values.
“They have been open, honest, and transparent in all our dealings to date, which gives me high confidence that we will do great things together. We believe that the future of work is for all and to do that requires a deep, data-driven understanding of employee sentiment, experience, and engagement.
“There’s a real sense of excitement about this next chapter, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish collectively in the future.”
RSM, Eversheds Sutherland and Hill Dickinson advised Phenna Group. Benchmark International, Alvarez & Marsal and Penningtons advised Great Place to Work UK.
The acquisition of the Ecology Division of Ground Control Ltd will see the team join RammSanderson, a Phenna Group company, enhancing the company’s position as a leader in ecological and environmental consultancy.
Ground Control has been a trusted provider of grounds maintenance, arboriculture, and environmental services, with its ecology division playing a key role in delivering sustainable, nature-positive solutions. By integrating this team into RammSanderson, Phenna expands the services and expertise available to clients.
Stuart Abbs, Divisional MD Infrastructure Division at Phenna Group, said: “We have long enjoyed a successful working relationship with Ground Control, particularly through their provision of drilling services to our geoenvironmental businesses within the Phenna Group Infrastructure Division.
“Bringing their ecology team into RammSanderson deepens our partnership and expands our collective capability to deliver first-class ecological services to our clients.”
Nick Sanderson, Managing Director (East Midlands and South East England) at RammSanderson, added: “We are delighted to welcome a fantastic group of ecologists to our team.
“Their expertise and experience will further enhance our service offering, allowing us to support a broader client base and extend our geographic reach. This move aligns perfectly with our mission to provide high-quality, pragmatic ecological consultancy.”
Jason Knights, Managing Director of Ground Control, said: “This move represents a natural evolution for our ecology team, not a departure from our ecological services, but a strategic step forward.
“Ecology remains a core part of our offering, and by our team joining forces with RammSanderson, we’re significantly expanding the depth and breadth of what we can offer to clients as well as ensure our ecology team has the best possible opportunities to grow and develop.”
