The origins of the current CTS business started with the CET organisation which was originally founded in 1989 as NDT Flexitec.
CTS was founded in 2006, with the ambition of becoming the UK’s leading provider of construction testing and consulting services which over the proceeding years soon became a reality.
Through a program of organic growth and acquisitions, CTS has grown to have 350+ employees across 10+ sites, employing some of the best, most highly regarded people in the industry.
Here’s how it happened.
CTS Journey
1989
NDT Flexitec was formed in Kent, with its first materials testing laboratory.
1990
A regional materials testing laboratory was opened at Wolvey, Leicestershire, allowing for expansion into the Midlands, along with gaining NAMAS accreditation.
1994
NDT Flexitec was rebranded to Construction & Engineering Testing Group and the first NAMAS-accredited site laboratory was opened.
1999
The acquisition of RM Brown Site Investigations was completed, gaining entry into subsidence investigation work.
2005
Management buyout by Dunedin.
2006
CET acquired Safehouse UK, with the business rebranding as CET Safehouse.
2006
Earthworks Testing Solutions Ltd was founded, which later became CTS and started officially trading in 2007.
2008
CET opened its office in Scotland for materials testing.
2011
Earthworks Testing Solutions changed its name in 2011 to Construction Testing Solutions Ltd.
2012
Saw the start of the Geoenvironmental business with a team of experienced consultants joining the company.
2013
The company rebranded to CET Infrastructure (now CTS).
2014
CTS established a chemistry testing laboratory.
2015
Introduction of a specialist geotechnical testing laboratory at Chesterfield.
2015
The opening of CET’s laboratory at Heathrow.
2016
CET Infrastructure acquired Construction Testing Solutions.
2016
CET also acquired Omega Calibration, which later became Calibration Testing Solutions in 2019.
2017
Saw the opening of the CTS Warrington laboratory and the expansion of Doncaster.
2018
Structures division was introduced to CTS, and CET’s Scotland and Midlands locations were rebranded to Construction Testing Solutions. The group was acquired by Palatine PE in 2018.
2019
Esseltest was acquired in 2019, followed by Enverity which saw the opening of the Newark laboratory.
2020
In September CET Infrastructure was consolidated and rebranded as Construction Testing Solutions. Shortly after the acquisition of CGL was completed, establishing the CTS group of businesses within the Top 10 Geoconsultancy firms in the UK. CGL was originally formed in 1994 and started as Card Geotechnics Limited, before rebranding as CGL in 2011.
2021
In February, Nicholls Colton was acquired with two sites in Leicester which included an environmental chemistry laboratory. Nicholls Colton was originally formed in 1965 as Nicholls Colton & Partners, before rebranding as Nicholls Colton Group in 2011 and then going on to rebrand as CTS in 2022.
2021
Silkstone was acquired in August with a site in Sheffield specialising in minerals and waste management planning & permitting along with other geo and surveying capabilities. Silkstone was originally formed in 2000.
2022
Mason Evans was acquired in February 2022, enhancing and extending our existing capabilities and further strengthening our offering with an extension to our environmental capabilities in Scotland. Mason Evans was originally founded in 1995.
2022
GT Certification was acquired in May 2022, a measurement services company specialising in construction materials testing and torque and force calibration services. GT Certification was originally founded in 2001 and is located in Tipton, West Midlands, and is now being rebranded as CMTL for Materials Testing, with the Calibration department rebranded as CTS.
2022
Concept Engineering Consultants, a leading provider of geotechnical, structural, and geo-environmental services joined CTS in August 2022. Established in 1997, the acquisition of Concept added extensive coring and drilling, along with high-quality site investigation service capabilities to the group.
2022
August 2022 also saw the acquisition of In Situ Site Investigation. An award-winning geotechnical and geo-environmental company, and a leader in Cone Penetration Testing techniques and ground investigation services, originally founded in 2008.
2022
In August 2022 CTS was acquired by private equity investor Oakley Capital and upon completion of the deal became part of the Phenna Group, Infrastructure Division.
Why Choose CTS?
At CTS our team has a wealth of experience spanning over 30 years, delivering professional construction testing, inspection, and compliance solutions to a wide range of businesses.
If you have any questions or queries about our services, please contact us today –our team will be more than happy to have a conversation with you regarding your project requirements!