Element Acquires Northwest EMC Significantly Expanding its Global EMC Services

LONDON, UK – July 1, 2016 – Element Materials Technology has today acquired Northwest EMC in the U.S. to underline its position as the global leader in the provision of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing services. 

This acquisition significantly expands Element’s existing EMC testing expertise, increases its U.S footprint and demonstrates Element’s commitment to becoming the recognized market leader for materials and product qualification testing (PQT) services. 

Northwest EMC is the premier EMC testing service provider in the U.S., with five well invested laboratories and a headcount of over 60 Engaged Experts. The acquisition enhances Element’s EMC capabilities in wireless device testing, MIL-STD and RTCA DO-160 and complements Element’s existing EMC business, which includes 12 laboratories in the US, UK, and China. 

Charles Noall, President and CEO of Element, says: “Northwest EMC’s exceptional capabilities mean that it perfectly fits the profile of companies we acquire and the business that we are building. We are establishing a global platform for EMC at an accelerated pace. It is a fantastic company, with technical industry leaders delivering innovative services in an exciting market space. We truly believe in the ability of Northwest EMC’s team to enhance our technical expertise, while bringing a commercial focus which stands out in the industry. The acquisition will allow us to develop an even greater reach to support Northwest EMC’s existing client base with new services.” 

Noall adds: “There is a clear common culture between the two companies, which is a customer-centric commitment to investing in the best Engaged Experts and facilities. Element’s EMC leaders such as Steve Hayes and Erik Borgstrom are now joined by Greg Kiemel, strengthening this community of highly regarded technical leaders. We welcome Dean Ghizzone and his team to the rapidly growing Element family.” 

Dean Ghizzone, President/CEO at Northwest EMC, says: “We founded Northwest EMC in 1992 and we serve industry-leading companies in Commercial Telecommunications, Aerospace, Defense, Wireless, and Medical Device sectors, supporting clients which operate in North America, Europe and global markets. We are very excited by the opportunities resulting from this transaction.” 

Ghizzone continues: “If you want to become a leader in the US EMC market, we are the premier player. Our clients operate in a variety of end-markets, so we offer Element great exposure to dynamic, ‘blue-chip’ technology companies. Equally, our clients are now able to access complementary services from across the global Element platform, such as the industry-leading Safety PQT capabilities from Element Warwick.” 

The acquisition of Northwest EMC is the first since Bridgepoint Capital became Element’s majority shareholder in 2016. It clearly signals the continuation of Element’s ambitious growth strategy, which last year saw Element acquire TRaC Global, Environ and Cascade TEK, expanding its EMC and Environmental testing capabilities across a wide range of industry sectors and geographies.