April 1, 2008
Deal Combines Geographic Strength to Achieve Top Five Global Market Position
NOTE: This information is from a previously printed press release, newsletter, or other dated document. It is presented here for archival purposes only.
NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 1, 2008 -- Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader of product safety testing services, announced today that its Management System Solutions business will merge with DQS, a leading global registrar in independent third party management system certification services headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany.
Under the agreement, the new entity will operate as a separate, stand-alone organization, with UL maintaining an ownership share. John Schmidt, UL's Chief Development Officer, will sit on its Supervisory Board. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
"This is a synergistic joining of companies with complementary geographic strengths and a shared commitment to customer service and technical excellence," said Keith Williams, UL's President and CEO. "By combining forces, we will achieve a top five global market position in the management system certification industry, and we will have the capacity to serve as a leading provider of these services in every major geography."
This merger will meet the growing market demand to offer a full suite of services to customers who are expanding globally. It will also enable UL to provide a broader scope of management system registration services to better serve its valued customers.
"Our businesses share a dedication to ensuring the sustainable success of management systems and processes," added Stefan Heinloth, Managing Director of DQS. "As organizations of all sizes and scope of industry face more and more challenges due to the speed of change within both domestic and international markets, the need for superior, secure management systems becomes paramount."
FAQ
What will this mean to me?
The primary driver of this merger is to provide our customers with a comprehensive suite of services in all major geographies around the world. While UL currently offers a leading position in North America and Asia, DQS brings a strong European presence. The combined entity will achieve a Top 5 global market position immediately upon completion of the merger.
Customers should expect to receive the same level of service they're used to receiving, now enhanced by a true global capability.
Will I have access to new services as a result of this merger?
UL's MSS business and DQS currently offer similar, comprehensive services in the management system assessment arena. This merger meets a growing market demand to offer services to our global clients in all major geographies.
Will I have the same account manager and customer service contact?
Yes. Please continue to work with the same account manager and customer service contacts until further notice.
Will this impact my existing certification?
Your certification will remain in effect. We are working closely with our accreditors to make sure there is a seamless transition of your certifications from UL to DQS-UL, as required.
Will I still be able to demonstrate to my clients that we are registered with UL?
Yes. The UL Registered Firm mark will continue to be provided through DQS once the merger is completed and the UL Registered Firm mark will be identifiable on your certificate.
Does the merger mean I am not certified by UL?
UL's MSS division is a part of the merged company and your certificate will continue to carry the UL Registered Firm mark. Current UL clients' certificates will be transferred to the merged company (for with UL is a major shareholder).
About Underwriters Laboratories:
Underwriters Laboratories is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been writing Standards for Safety, testing products and involved in conformity assessment for well over a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products, components, materials and systems annually with 21 billion UL Marks appearing on 71,000 manufacturers' products in the global marketplace each year. UL has also issued nearly 9,000 registrations to management system standards and has performed more than 12,000 assessments in 62 countries. UL's worldwide family of companies and network of service providers includes 62 laboratory, testing and certification facilities serving customers with business operations on six continents. Visit www.UL.com.
About DQS:
DQS, a German Registrar for Management Systems, was founded in 1985 by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and the German Society for Quality (DGQ) as the first German registrar for management systems. With offices in more than 30 countries, DQS is one of the most renowned companies in the international certification business today. Registered office is Frankfurt am Main, Germany. DQS' range of services comprises assessments according to more than 70 recognized standards and technical or industry-specific specifications, as well as assessments to intra-company requirements. To performing these services, DQS has more than 1500 auditors available worldwide.