SGS acquires GRL Services to bolster digital trust and connectivity

BAAR, SWITZERLAND, and CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — SGS, a global provider of testing, inspection, and certification, has acquired Granite River Labs Services (GRL), a specialist in validating high-speed wired data connections. 

The acquisition integrates GRL’s network of nine specialized laboratories and more than 200 technical experts into SGS’s global operations.

Expanding digital trust and AI testing capabilities

The purchase of GRL supports SGS’s leadership in the fast-changing field of Digital Trust and Connectivity. 

The high-speed wired connection validation provided by GRL has been used to meet the increasing demand to connect devices (servers, chips, vehicles, and mobile phones) to transmit large data volumes without signal loss, latency, or compatibility issues. 

With the inclusion of GRL’s highly specialized laboratories in Asia, Europe, and the United States, SGS enhances its technical capabilities to serve clients building next-generation digital infrastructure.

Moreover, the acquisition positions SGS to accommodate the testing needs of intricate systems that allow AI. 

GRL also has broad technical capabilities and expertise in high-speed connectivity technologies, which can be used to validate components critical to AI-driven devices and systems extensively.

This expansion of abilities aligns with the merging of the bodily and virtual ecosystems, in which intensive testing will ensure that development does not lead to a loss of dependability.

This is a strategic transaction to expand high-growth digital solutions as one of the pillars of SGS Strategy 27’s long-term plan.

Scaling global growth through connectivity solutions

Through a combination of GRL’s specialized workforce and laboratory infrastructure, SGS is better positioned to serve its customers more quickly in an increasingly digitalized world. 

Géraldine Picaud, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SGS, noted that GRL is highly experienced and therefore more competitive in Digital Trust and Connectivity, and that it assists customers in overcoming the challenges of contemporary data-transfer requirements.

“It represents a significant step forward in our ambition to scale digital solutions as a core pillar of SGS’s long-term growth strategy,” she added.

SGS has a history of service excellence of more than 145 years and a global network of more than 2,500 business facilities and 1,150 laboratories in 115 countries, with more than 100,000 professionals.

The firm also provides specialized outsourcing services such as IT services, knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), and 24/ 7 operations support services.

On the other hand, GRL was created in 2010 to make high-speed connectivity testing more affordable and provide connectivity to 2,000 clients across more than 10 worldwide facilities. 

The company, trusted by both upstart ventures and established industry players, offers the engineering skills and automated solutions to help take next-generation technologies to market.

The acquisition also demonstrates SGS’s commitment to keeping pace with technological advances that are setting new industry standards.