CSA Group Increases Global Certification and Testing Capabilities with Acquisition...

CSA Group Increases Global Certification and Testing Capabilities with
Acquisition of UK-Based SIRA

- A European-based World Leader in the Hazardous Locations Testing
Business -

TORONTO, July 3 /PRNewswire/ - Robert M. Griffin, President and CEO, CSA
Group, today officially announces that CSA Group has acquired SIRA Test and
Certification Limited, a world leader in the conformity assessment solutions
field which specializes in the testing of safety equipment used in potentially
explosive atmospheres, and three affiliated companies. Four SIRA companies:
SIRA Test and Certification Limited (STC); SIRA Certification Service (SCS);
SIRA Environmental (SEL); and SIRA Consulting Limited (SCL), formerly owned by
Volvere plc (LON:VLE) of London, the United Kingdom were acquired as part of
the agreement for an initial cash consideration of (pnds stlg) 8M. SIRA will
operate as a business division of CSA International and the SIRA brand will be
retained and used in conjunction with the CSA International brand.
"The decision to acquire four SIRA companies is in alignment with CSA Group's
strategic objective to be among the world's largest safety certifiers and is a
component of CSA International's business strategy to focus on Hazardous
Locations testing," says Mr. Griffin. "As a combined company we will extend to
our clients facilitated access to European, North American and other markets,
in a specific fast-growing and complex testing business. Adding SIRA will
serve as an important building block in the global expansion of CSA
International's Hazardous Locations testing business and service offerings."
SIRA has been at the forefront of Hazardous Locations business for more than
25 years. SIRA is the UK's leading Notified Body (appointed by the United
Kingdom government) specializing in testing and certification of equipment
intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. SIRA has issued more
than 3,000 product certificates, including more than 1,800 ATEX (Atomspheres
Explosibles) certificates and is also among the top certification bodies
issuing IECEx (International Trade of Electrical Equipment used in Explosive
Atmospheres) certificates of conformity.
"CSA International is the best fit for overall growth in terms of company
culture, shared business vision and SIRA's positioning as a part of a leading
global certification and testing organization," says Mike Shearman, Managing
Director, SIRA. "It is a perfect strategic business fit that will benefit our
clients not only in the certification service of products used within
explosive atmospheres, but also in certification solutions in the areas of
water and air emissions and specialized training. Jointly SIRA and CSA
International extend their lead in the hazardous location and environmental
certification markets."
SIRA examines and tests equipment against both European standards (EN) for
ATEX Directive 94/9/EC, and International (IEC) standards for an IECEx
Certificate of Conformity. SIRA also issues UKAS accredited product
certification against a range of other British, European and International
standards, as well as issues reports against other approval body standards.
Headquartered in Chester, and with labs/offices in Bakewell and Crayford, the
United Kingdom, the SIRA companies employ 55 people, including specialized
engineers and management. CSA Group has taken measures to ensure that the
transfer in ownership will result in a seamless transition of services and
employment for SIRA employees and SIRA clients. The acquisition was enabled
through the strategic M&A advisory firm of WAIN Management, Paris, France.
For more information on SIRA or CSA International please visit:
www.siracertification.comwww.csa-international.org or www.gethazloc.com

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving
business, industry, government and consumers. CSA Group consists of three
divisions: CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization,
providing standards development, application products, training and advisory
services; CSA International, which provides testing and certification services
for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and
OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory
services for retailers and manufacturers. For more, visit www.csagroup.org

SOURCE CSA Group

Anthony Toderian, Senior Media Relations Officer, CSA Group, T: (416)
747-2620, E: anthony.toderian@csagroup.org