Global testing giant SGS acquires U.S. environmental lab

MARYLAND, UNITED STATES — The global testing and certification company SGS has expanded its North American presence through the acquisition of AMA Analytical Services, a specialized environmental testing laboratory in Maryland. 

While specific details of the transaction were not disclosed, the merger strengthens SGS’s presence in the built environment sector, adding to its comprehensive portfolio of services across agriculture, chemical, construction, energy, and various other industries.

Strategic market enhancement

AMA Analytical Services, founded in 1988, brings its expertise in asbestos, lead/metals, and microbial analysis to SGS’s extensive portfolio. The Maryland-based facility, generating between $10-50 million in annual revenue, will enhance SGS’s environmental testing capabilities in the region.

Meanwhile, SGS offers a range of outsourcing services, such as IT services, 24/7 operations support for the SGS network, and back office operations, including Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO).

“Our investment in this state-of-the-art facility along the I-95 corridor enhances our ability to deliver timely, high-quality built environment testing services to clients in this key region,” said Marcus Maguire, Head of Environment, Health, and Safety, North America at SGS.  

Global reach, local impact of SGS-AMA merger

SGS, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, operates an impressive network of over 2,700 laboratories and business facilities across 119 countries. With a workforce of 99,250 professionals, the company has established itself as a global benchmark for quality and integrity in inspection, verification, testing, and certification services.

The acquisition of AMA Analytical Services aligns with SGS’s commitment to excellence, as AMA is recognized for its high-quality precision analyses and reliable, cost-effective services. 

Meanwhile, SGS recently acquired Institut d’Expertise Clinique (IEC), a Clinical Research Organization specializing in advanced clinical testing for the cosmetics industry.