In a strategic move to enhance its European presence, SOCOTEC recently acquired BAC Engineering Consultancy Group, a prominent Spanish firm headquartered in Barcelona. BAC, with 340 employees and a revenue of 21 million euros, is renowned for its expertise in civil engineering sectors, including transport infrastructure, maritime works, and water supply systems, along with significant contributions to the building industry.
The firm specializes in structural analysis, non-destructive testing, environmental studies, energy performance measurement, geotechnical services, and quality control, utilizing its three laboratories located in Catalonia.
Expansion into Spain
BAC's acquisition marks SOCOTEC's strategic entry into the Spanish market
This acquisition marks SOCOTEC's strategic entry into the Spanish market, with BAC operating not only from its Barcelona base, but also from locations in Madrid and Zaragoza. BAC caters to both public and private sector clients across Spain and maintains a subsidiary in Colombia employing 50 individuals.
Hervé Montjotin, CEO of the SOCOTEC Group, emphasized, "Setting up in Spain was part of our strategic roadmap and was important to complete our European coverage. We now cover almost the entire western part of the continent."
Opportunities for Synergy
Montjotin noted the potential for synergies that the partnership would unlock, stating, “Thanks to the diversity of its expertise, BAC is a condensed version of SOCOTEC. There will therefore be many synergies, both technical and commercial.”
He highlighted that the Spanish market faces similar challenges as other regions, such as risk prevention, enhanced sustainability, improved energy efficiency, and addressing environmental concerns. As BAC integrates with SOCOTEC, there is an opportunity to fortify ties with major Spanish construction groups with international operations.
Enhancing Service Offerings
Guillem Baraut, CEO of the BAC Group, expressed an ambition to cement the company's leadership position in Spain, commenting, "Our desire is to become a leader in Spain in our businesses. Our 340 employees are very committed and will benefit from the group's contributions: SOCOTEC's international clients with projects in the peninsula, specific expertise or new service offers."
Guillem Baraut also highlighted the merger's role in bolstering BAC's services, particularly in the realms of quality, sustainability, and environmental attention in Spanish construction and renovation projects.
Expressing gratitude for his predecessor's accomplishments, Baraut added, “I salute Joan Franco and thank him warmly for bringing the company to this level and I am proud, along with all the BAC teams to be able to write a new chapter in the company's history with SOCOTEC.”
In order to continue its development in Europe, SOCOTEC has just acquired the Spanish company BAC Engineering Consultancy Group, based in Barcelona.
With 340 employees and a turnover of 21 million euros, BAC is a recognized player in inspection, engineering, testing, and risk management in civil engineering, particularly transport infrastructure, maritime works, and water supply systems, and in the building industry.
It has particular expertise in structural analysis, non-destructive testing, environmental studies, energy performance measurement, geotechnical services, and quality control, for which it has its own laboratories (3 in Catalonia).
Setting up in Spain
In addition to its headquarters in Barcelona and its Catalan footprint, the company is also located in Madrid and Zaragoza, and responds to projects located throughout Spain for public and private sector clients. It also has a subsidiary in Colombia with 50 employees.
For Hervé Montjotin, CEO of the SOCOTEC Group: "Setting up in Spain was part of our strategic roadmap and was important to complete our European coverage. We now cover almost the entire western part of the continent.”
“Thanks to the diversity of its expertise, BAC is a condensed version of SOCOTEC. The challenges of the Spanish market are similar to those faced by the Group elsewhere: risk prevention, the search for increased sustainability of assets or better energy efficiency, migration to green energies or resolution of environmental issues.”
Technical synergy
“There will therefore be many synergies, both technical and commercial. For example, the major Spanish construction groups have an international reach and, with the support of SOCOTEC, BAC will be able to better support them.”
He added: "BAC's growth is part of a dynamic national market that will be reinforced by the European recovery plan. Joan Franco, its founder, has been able to bring the company since its creation in 2009 to levels of expertise recognized by all. Guillem Baraut, who succeeded him at the end of last year, continues to instill the entrepreneurial spirit that characterizes the BAC teams."
Strengthening services
For Guillem Baraut, CEO of the BAC Group: "Our desire is to become a leader in Spain in our businesses. Our 340 employees are very committed and will benefit from the group's contributions: SOCOTEC's international clients with projects in the peninsula, specific expertise or new service offers.”
“We also intend to transfer some of our know-how. Quality, sustainability and the environment are at the heart of the attention of companies in their construction or renovation projects in Spain. We are now in a position to strengthen our services to them thanks to the merger with SOCOTEC.”
“I salute Joan Franco and thank him warmly for bringing the company to this level and I am proud, along with all the BAC teams to be able to write a new chapter in the company's history with SOCOTEC."
