Testing Services

Finding the right home for a successful business and its people

Founded by Jon Roberts in 2003, Testing Services has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality electrical inspection and compliance services to a diverse customer base.

The Heckmondwike-based business provides electrical testing alongside emergency lighting inspections, fire alarm and extinguisher works and associated remedial services.

Supported by a highly skilled team of engineers and technical specialists, Testing Services works across a wide range of commercial and industrial environments, helping customers meet their electrical safety and compliance requirements.

Having built the business over more than two decades, Jon was beginning to consider his eventual retirement and wanted to ensure that the company he had created would have a strong future under new ownership.

Crucially, finding the right buyer was about more than achieving the right value. Jon wanted to identify a partner that would provide a positive future for his employees, protect relationships with customers and give the business the opportunity to continue growing.

 “Most of you will not have sold a company before and it’s vital that you have the right team behind you as you navigate the whole process. Make KBS your team and make Jacob Lord your captain.”

Jon Roberts, Co-founder, Testing Services

Managing a complex sale process to secure the right outcome

Jon instructed KBS Corporate to explore the market and identify a buyer that could deliver the right combination of value, deal structure and long-term security for the business and its people.

Jacob Lord, Associate Director at KBS Corporate, and Jack Tyldsley, Corporate Transaction Executive, worked closely with Jon throughout the process, managing the sale and coordinating multiple interested parties.

The process was extended as Jon was determined to find the right home for his employees and customers while also achieving an appropriate value for the business.

KBS generated significant interest in Testing Services and managed multiple offers, creating a competitive environment while allowing Jon to carefully assess the opportunities available.

PTSG ultimately emerged as the ideal acquirer, offering a competitive valuation and a deal structure that aligned with Jon’s objectives. The acquisition also provided a strong strategic fit, with Testing Services’ capabilities complementing PTSG’s existing Electrical Services division.

KBS remained closely involved throughout the transaction, with K3 Law providing legal advice and Pareto IFA delivering specialist financial advice to the client.

“We have recently sold our company and without the skill, knowledge and expertise of KBS, and in particular Jacob and Jack, this would have been impossible.

“Jacob, in particular, and Jack were instrumental in helping me through the deal process. By the end of the whole process, it actually felt as though we had become friends – in fact I would say we are friends.”

Jon Roberts, Co-founder, Testing Services

A competitive process leads to the ideal strategic partner

The sale generated interest from multiple potential acquirers, giving Jon the opportunity to consider a range of offers and assess each buyer’s suitability for the future of the business.

While achieving the right value was an important consideration, Jon was equally focused on finding an acquirer that would provide a positive future for his employees and customers.

PTSG ultimately ticked all the boxes, combining a competitive valuation with a deal structure that worked for the client and a clear strategic fit with Testing Services.

The acquisition also represented PTSG’s second transaction through KBS within a year, following its acquisition of specialist lightning protection business Earth Tech.

For Jon, the outcome provided the opportunity to move towards his eventual retirement with confidence that the business and its people were in the right hands.

For PTSG, Testing Services represented an attractive acquisition opportunity, bringing established technical expertise, strong customer relationships and an experienced team into its growing Electrical Services division.

Strengthening PTSG’s Electrical Services division

PTSG is a leading providers of specialist compliance services to the facilities management industry, construction sector and end-user marketplace.

The acquisition further strengthens its Electrical Services division, with Testing Services complementing the Group’s existing electrical business and expanding its technical capabilities across multiple client sectors.

By combining Testing Services’ specialist expertise and customer relationships with PTSG’s scale, systems and wider multidisciplinary capabilities, the acquisition creates opportunities for continued growth and enhanced service delivery.

“Testing Services is an excellent strategic fit for PTSG. The business has developed a strong reputation for technical expertise, high levels of customer service and consistent operational performance in a highly regulated sector.

“We are really pleased to welcome Jon Roberts and the wider team to PTSG. Their knowledge, experience and customer relationships will play an important role as we continue to build the electrical compliance business.”

Paul Teasdale, Executive Chairman, PTSG.