16 Sep 2015 Millbrook Acquires Test World
Rutland Partners is pleased to announce Millbrook’s acquisition of Test World, a world leading winter vehicle and tyre testing business based in Ivalo, Northern Finland.
The acquisition of Test World is a significant step by Millbrook to increase its capabilities and expand its relationships internationally. It follows a number of high profile facility investments so far in 2015, including upgrades to engine dynos, additional capacity in Portable Emissions Measurement (PEMS), increased capabilities within Millbrook’s crash test facilities and the development of Millbrook’s Technology Park.
Test World has unique and versatile facilities, including specialist tyre testing capabilities, a range of winter tracks and indoor facilities for both objective and subjective testing of winter tyres on actual snow throughout the year, reducing time to market for tyre manufacturers. Test World’s facilities are available to customers for independent testing, as well as providing test services and type approval work to its global customer base.
In combination with Millbrook’s 70km of varied tracks and test facilities for components and full vehicles, the combined Group is now able to offer a much broader range of winter, wet and dry testing services. Being part of a larger group will also give Test World better access to capital, making it easier to further develop its test facilities.
Test World’s existing management will all remain with the business, providing continuity for customers. In addition all of Test World’s operations and services including their various quality systems approvals will continue as before, unaffected by this change.
Alex Burns, CEO of Millbrook, comments: “We are very pleased to announce this investment, which will expand Millbrook’s diverse portfolio of services and complement our existing UK proving ground and test capabilities.”
Alex continues, saying: “We are looking forward to working with Test World’s excellent customer base and sharing our engineering expertise to enhance the services and facilities provided to all of our customers, both in the UK and internationally.”
Turo Tiilia, Managing Director of Test World, comments: “This is a very exciting opportunity for everyone at Test World, enabling us to offer an all-inclusive test, validation and engineering service to the worldwide automotive industry. We are delighted to be working with the team at Millbrook to move the combined business forward.”
David Wardrop, Partner at Rutland Partners, comments: “We are delighted to support Millbrook in this exciting acquisition for the business. The transaction adds to the continued development of Millbrook offering growth opportunities in complementary areas for the Group and further international expansion.”
For more information about Rutland’s investment in Millbrook contact David Wardrop, Nick Morrill, Rahul Satsangi or Michael Reynolds.