Oil and gas ultrasonic inspection company acquired by Germany international business holding

Earlier this month, Karlsruhe, southwest of Germany-based NDT Systems & Services GmbH & Co. KG, an international technology leader in the field of ultrasonic inspection systems for the oil, gas and steel industries announced it had been acquired by the Weissker Group, an international, mid-sized business holding based in Greiz in Thuringia in east-central Germany.

"NDT is well established in the market and has an outstanding reputation. The company is perceived by its customers as a technology leader in the field of automated non-destructive ultrasonic testing systems, especially regarding in-line inspection tools and stationary systems for plate inspection in steel mills. We want to build on this technological strength and use our own expertise to ensure a sustained economic success for NDT in the future, in the best interest of our customers and our employees", says Stefan Matthaei on behalf of the Weissker board.

Working jointly with Weissker, the management of NDT has great plans for the future, securing the Stutensee location as well as expanding the international activities of the company.

The new CEO Dr Holger Schmeisser said, “We are very excited to be working with the Weissker Group. The acquisition will allow us to grow the worldwide activities of NDT for our customers in the steel, railway as well as oil and gas industries and to expand our cutting-edge inspection systems and magnetic and ultrasonic technology platforms. NDT is now better able to exploit our market potential.”

Working jointly with the Weissker Group, NDT Group management has solidified its plans for the future, including maintaining its technological superiority, focusing on quality service, and developing the international activities of the company.

The NDT Group will enhance its already strong workforce in Germany and its various worldwide locations. According to Dr Schmeisser, “During negotiations, the management team of the Weissker Group – all German entrepreneurs with international experience – made it clear they will invest in the NDT workforce.” Mr. Matthaei stated, "NDT’s technological strength is primarily built on the competence of the employees. We will increase the potential inherent in the NDT products and the global sales of the company by using our resources and knowledge of the pipeline business to build on that strength. We are planning active growth for NDT by targeting new customer groups in North America, the Middle East, Russia, and in the gas sector."

The new headquarters in Stutensee houses approximately 210 employees. Another 290 people work in operating companies and offices in Argentina, Dubai, the UK, Canada, Mexico and the US. In the years between 2004 and 2009, NDT grew immensely and quadrupled its turnover. In that time period the number of employees grew to its present level.

NDT also acquired the Tuboscope Pipelines Services operations from National Oilwell Varco in 2008.

The Weissker Group, founded in 1994, incorporates small and medium sized businesses from the sectors industry as well as aerospace and is represented in 35 countries. Furthermore the owner led company has great experience in cross-border trade between Russia, Europe and the Americas and close ties to the Russian pipeline construction and services market.

Adapted from press release by Cecilia Rehn

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/13042012/oil_and_gas_technology_leader_acquired_by_business_holding/