Bridgepoint, a London-based mid-market private equity firm, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in GBA Group, a Hamburg-headquartered laboratory testing company and one of the largest laboratory-centric testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) platforms in the world. The transaction sees Ardian exit the vast majority of its holding while GBA’s management team remains invested in the business. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
GBA operates a global network of laboratories serving more than 60,000 customers across environmental testing, food safety, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical devices, and cosmetics. The company’s growth is underpinned by structural demand drivers including tightening regulation, growing product safety and traceability requirements, and increasing environmental monitoring obligations across the industries it serves. GBA has been gaining market share through technical specialization and a customer-centric operating model.
Bridgepoint brings direct sector experience to the investment, having previously backed ten TIC platforms including Element Materials Technology, LGC, Alcontrol, Fera Science, and NMi. During its ownership of Element, the firm quadrupled the number of laboratories and revenue, and added more than 5,000 technical employees to the platform. The firm plans to draw on that track record to accelerate GBA’s international expansion, deepen capabilities through talent investment and digitalization, and pursue selective acquisitions to broaden GBA’s service offering and geographic footprint.
Bridgepoint was advised by Citi and DC Advisory as co-lead M&A advisers, Rothschild as M&A adviser, BCG on commercial due diligence, EY on financial and tax matters, and Latham & Watkins on legal matters.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are excited to partner with Bridgepoint as we enter the next phase of GBA’s growth. Their deep sector expertise, strong local presence and global network make them an ideal partner as we continue to invest in our capabilities, accelerate our international expansion and pursue selective acquisitions. Together, we look forward to building on the momentum we have built together with Ardian and strengthening GBA’s position as a leading global specialist testing platform.”
Steffen Walter, Chief Executive Officer, GBA Group
“GBA has built an outstanding reputation for its technical expertise and the quality of its people. We have been impressed by the strength of the business and the ambition of the team and are excited to support the company’s next phase of growth through continued investment, international expansion and selective acquisitions. We look forward to leveraging our extensive TIC experience across multiple transactions, as well as our local German presence and global network, to further expand the company’s capabilities and serve customers around the world.”
Christopher Brackmann, Partner and Head of DACH Investment Activities, and Charles Welham, Partner and Head of Services, Bridgepoint
