Eurofins to reinforce its Forensic services portfolio and footprint with the acquisition of LGC Forensics

Eurofins Scientific (EUFI.PA), a European leader in Forensic DNA and Toxicology testing in France, Germany and Belgium, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Forensics and Security division of LGC (“LGC Forensics”), the largest player in the UK forensics market, a European pioneer in this field and a significant forensic DNA testing provider in Germany, from LGC Group. The transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks, upon fulfillment of customary closing conditions.

LGC Forensics provides the most comprehensive range of forensic science services including casework, DNA testing, digital forensics, drugs and toxicology and firearms. The company has over 120 accredited methods, significantly more than any of their competitors. LGC Forensics completes over 34,000 casework investigations per annum. LGC Forensics is one of the most trusted forensic services providers in the world, benefitting from strong customer relationships with major police forces in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. The company employs over 650 staff in eight locations, seven in the UK and one in Germany, and generates annual revenues in excess of EUR 45m.

The acquisition of LGC Forensics is an opportunity for Eurofins Forensics to reshape the European forensic market, thanks to the combination of Eurofins and LGC Forensics’ capabilities and industry-leading delivery performance. Eurofins’ offering in the forensic market is now unique, with its scientific consulting, expert witness services, strengthened DNA testing (more than 500,000 samples processed annually) and toxicology testing. This market has significant growth opportunities stemming from regulator’s increased focus on quality standards and accreditation, as well as growing outsourcing trends. Additionally, LGC Forensics’ digital forensic services will provide Eurofins with new, state-of-the-art, skills and technologies including: computer and mobile phone forensic services, cell site analysis, imagery and audio analysis. Digital forensics is a clear development path for the future of the forensics market, which is characterized by an increasing prevalence of cyber-crimes.

Comment from Dr. Gilles Martin, Eurofins’ CEO: “We are pleased to welcome LGC Forensics, a highly renowned laboratory group, to Eurofins’ family of businesses. In addition to the large volume of DNA testing it carries out, LGC Forensics adds another spectrum of new advanced services that Eurofins can now offer to its clients. In return, LGC Forensics will gain access to the Group’s entire portfolio of competencies, logistics and clients, which should help reinforce their leadership in the UK and German forensics markets and expand their offering to other European countries. This transaction is another demonstration of Eurofins’ commitment to acquire advanced technologies to expand its state-of-the-art portfolio of analytical services.”

Dr. Mark Pearse, Managing Director, LGC, Forensic and Security Division: “I am delighted that we will soon be part of Eurofins. This news follows the division’s recent commercial successes, both in the UK and abroad, and is testament to the team’s commitment to develop innovative operational models, working in close partnership with the UK forces. As we begin to see greater stability in the funding and delivery of forensics in the UK, Eurofins will continue to provide leadership long in to the future, building on the expertise of our world-renowned employees.”

Tim Robinson, CEO LGC, said: “We are proud to have played a crucial role in the UK forensics landscape in the last two decades. During that time, LGC has invested significantly in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering forensic evidence, with a very strong focus on quality and innovation. I am confident that the business is set for a successful and exciting future under the global reach and scientific expertise of Eurofins.”

For more information, please visit www.eurofins.com or contact:

Notes for the editor:

Eurofins – a global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins Scientific through its subsidiaries (hereinafter sometimes “Eurofins” or “the Group”) believes it is the world leader in food, environment and pharmaceutical products testing and that it is also one of the global independent market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for agroscience, genomics, discovery pharmacology and for supporting clinical studies. In addition, Eurofins is one of the key emerging players in specialty clinical diagnostic testing in Europe and the USA. With over 30,000 staff in 375 laboratories across 41 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 130,000 analytical methods for evaluating the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin and purity of biological substances and products, as well as for innovative clinical diagnostic. The Group objective is to provide its customers with high-quality services, accurate results on time and expert advice by its highly qualified staff.

Eurofins is committed to pursuing its dynamic growth strategy by expanding both its technology portfolio and its geographic reach. Through R&D and acquisitions, the Group draws on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology and analytical chemistry to offer its clients unique analytical solutions and the most comprehensive range of testing methods.

As one of the most innovative and quality oriented international players in its industry, Eurofins is ideally positioned to support its clients’ increasingly stringent quality and safety standards and the expanding demands of regulatory authorities around the world.

The shares of Eurofins Scientific are listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN FR0000038259, Reuters EUFI.PA, Bloomberg ERF FP).

LGC

LGC is an international leader in the extended life sciences sector, including human healthcare, agri-food & the environment. LGC provides a comprehensive range of reference materials, proficiency testing schemes, genomics reagents and instrumentation, as well as research and measurement services. Its scientific tools and solutions enable organisations to advance research, develop new products and form an essential part of their quality and compliance procedures.

LGC’s 2,000 employees include internationally-recognised scientists who are experts in their field. Headquartered in London, it operates out of 19 countries worldwide and is extensively accredited to quality standards such as GMP, GLP, ISO 13485, ISO 17034, ISO 17043, ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001.

LGC has been home to the UK Government Chemist for more than 100 years and is the UK National Measurement Laboratory and Designated Institute for chemical and bio measurement. LGC has been privately-owned since 1996 and has diversified through internal investment and acquisition to be an international leader in its chosen niche markets. LGC is now owned by funds affiliated with KKR. 

For more information, please visit www.lgcgroup.com

Important disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements and estimates contained herein represent the judgement of Eurofins Scientific’ management as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements and estimates. All statements and estimates are made based on the information available to the Company’s management as of the date of publication, but no guarantee can be made as to their validity.