INTERTEK acquired by EQT PARTNERS
Context
EQT has reached an agreement to acquire Intertek, a UK-based FTSE 100 company specializing in testing, inspection, and certification services, in an all-cash deal. The transaction values Intertek at £61.08 per share, including a dividend. This deal comes after months of negotiations between the two parties, during which EQT submitted multiple offers, all of which were initially rejected by Intertek's board due to concerns that the valuation did not adequately reflect the company's growth prospects and asset quality. EQT gradually increased its offer until it reached a level deemed acceptable by the board, amidst growing pressure from some shareholders. This acquisition is part of a broader trend of increased private equity activity in European mid and large caps, driven by compressed public market valuations and the appeal of assets generating stable, defensive cash flows. Intertek had also been exploring internal strategic options, including a potential separation of its businesses, which was ultimately abandoned in favor of the EQT deal. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. Once completed, it will be one of the largest privatization deals in the UK in recent years, highlighting the ongoing interest of private equity firms in high-quality, cash-generative businesses.
Previously, the company had pursued a consolidation strategy by acquiring Alchemy (2018) and Sai Global Assurance (2021).
INTERTEK, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2025, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Business Services sector (10.9x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
Intertek is a UK-based company that specializes in Total Quality Assurance services, providing testing, inspection, and certification solutions to industrial clients worldwide. With a network of over 1,000 laboratories and offices across more than 100 countries, the company has a global reach that enables it to support clients across entire industrial supply chains. Its services encompass product testing, regulatory compliance, certification, and quality assurance solutions, with a strong focus on business-to-business (B2B) relationships. Intertek operates in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, automotive, food and agriculture, and consumer goods. The company's economic model is built on recurring revenue streams from essential and regulated services, generating high visibility into cash flows. This characteristic makes it a typically sought-after asset by long-term investors and private equity funds, particularly in an environment where valuation multiples are normalizing.
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Historical Financials (GBP)
Other operations with INTERTEK
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/2021 | INTERTEK | SAI GLOBAL ASSURANCE | AUSTRALIA | Industrial Services | This strategic acquisition involves the full takeover of a premier global provider of assurance services from its previous private equity owner, Baring Private Equity Asia. The transaction is designed to significantly scale the acquirer's business assurance division, particularly within capital-light and high-margin segments that address the increasing corporate focus on risk-based quality assurance following global supply chain disruptions |
| 08/2018 | INTERTEK | ALCHEMY | UNITED STATES | Software | Intertek has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Alchemy from the private equity firm The Riverside Company. This acquisition strategically expands the acquirer,s global Assurance business by adding a bespoke People Assurance SaaS offering that focuses on employee skills and frontline productivity |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 3b - 100b GBP
Revenue range: 2.5b - 5b GBP
EBITDA range: 450M - 900M GBP
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Target: intertek
Acquirer: eqt partners