In 1996, AGBAR Automotive was set up as a subsidiary of the Aguas de Barcelona (AGBAR) Group to diversify the company and enter the business of statutory vehicle inspection.
In 1999, the Group won the concession for IDIADA, the Institute for Applied Research of Automobiles, created in 1971 at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). IDIADA A.T. (80% owned by Applus+ and 20% by the Government of Catalonia) has been operating under an exclusive contract from the 351-hectare technology centre near Barcelona (owned by the Government of Catalonia) since 1999. The contract to operate the business and use the assets runs until September 2024, and although the contract is renewable in five-year periods until 2049, a tender process for a new 20- or 25-year concession will replace these extensions.
In 2003, Applus+ incorporated LGAI, the General Laboratory for Testing and Research (Laboratori General d'Assaigs i Investigacions), founded in Barcelona in 1907. The laboratories, which operate from a 60,000m2 multidisciplinary technology centre on the UAB campus, are privatised, although the Government of Catalonia maintains 5% capital and the right to recover part of the assets in 2033.
In 2003, the Applus+ brand was launched globally.
In 2004, the Group acquired Norcontrol, a company created in 1981 to respond to Union Fenosa's environmental and maintenance requirements. The Applus+ Group became the largest testing, inspection and certification (TIC) company in Spain.
In 2004 and 2005, together with the AGBAR Group, the Unión Fenosa Group and Caja Madrid became shareholders.
In 2006, the Group acquired the Dutch group Röntgen Technische Dienst (RTD), founded in 1937 and a European leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection for the oil and gas sector.In 2008, The Carlyle Group became a shareholder, and the Applus+ Group began a process of strong growth and international expansion with the acquisition of 20 companies, including Velosi (2011), which was created in 1982 in Malaysia and specialises in vendor inspection, certification, testing and technical-staff selection.
Applus+ achieved revenues of €1,619 million in 70 countries, with 19,000 employees spread throughout the world; 70% of the turnover was generated from outside the Group’s home market in Spain.
In May 2014, Applus+ was listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange, and later on the Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock markets.
The Applus+ Group has continued its international expansion with the purchase of more than 20 testing, inspection and certification companies around the world. The Group has extended its TIC portfolio and Applus+ is positioned as a trusted partner to a wide variety of leading industrial clients in each of the sectors in which they operate.
In 2017, the Group’s share capital was increased by 10% (€137 million).
The Energy & Industry Division was created through the integration of the former divisions of Applus+ RTD, Applus+ Velosi and Applus+ Norcontrol.
Today, Applus+ is one of the global leaders in the testing, inspection and certification sector. The Group operates in more than 65 countries on five continents, employing over 25,000 professionals globally.
In 2022, the Group recorded revenues of €2,049 million. Its focus on sustainability and ESG, with specific annual goals and improvement policies, has achieved important recognitions.
In 1996, AGBAR Automotive was set up as a subsidiary of the Aguas de Barcelona (AGBAR) Group to diversify the company and enter the business of statutory vehicle inspection.
In 1999, the Group won the concession for IDIADA, the Institute for Applied Research of Automobiles, created in 1971 at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). IDIADA A.T. (80% owned by Applus+ and 20% by the Government of Catalonia) has been operating under an exclusive contract from the 351-hectare technology centre near Barcelona (owned by the Government of Catalonia) since 1999. The contract to operate the business and use the assets runs until September 2024, and although the contract is renewable in five-year periods until 2049, a tender process for a new 20- or 25-year concession will replace these extensions.
In 2003, Applus+ incorporated LGAI, the General Laboratory for Testing and Research (Laboratori General d'Assaigs i Investigacions), founded in Barcelona in 1907. The laboratories, which operate from a 60,000m2 multidisciplinary technology centre on the UAB campus, are privatised, although the Government of Catalonia maintains 5% capital and the right to recover part of the assets in 2033.
In 2003, the Applus+ brand was launched globally.
In 2004, the Group acquired Norcontrol, a company created in 1981 to respond to Union Fenosa's environmental and maintenance requirements. The Applus+ Group became the largest testing, inspection and certification (TIC) company in Spain.
In 2004 and 2005, together with the AGBAR Group, the Unión Fenosa Group and Caja Madrid became shareholders.
In 2006, the Group acquired the Dutch group Röntgen Technische Dienst (RTD), founded in 1937 and a European leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection for the oil and gas sector.In 2008, The Carlyle Group became a shareholder, and the Applus+ Group began a process of strong growth and international expansion with the acquisition of 20 companies, including Velosi (2011), which was created in 1982 in Malaysia and specialises in vendor inspection, certification, testing and technical-staff selection.
Applus+ achieved revenues of €1,619 million in 70 countries, with 19,000 employees spread throughout the world; 70% of the turnover was generated from outside the Group’s home market in Spain.
In May 2014, Applus+ was listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange, and later on the Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock markets.
The Applus+ Group has continued its international expansion with the purchase of more than 20 testing, inspection and certification companies around the world. The Group has extended its TIC portfolio and Applus+ is positioned as a trusted partner to a wide variety of leading industrial clients in each of the sectors in which they operate.
In 2017, the Group’s share capital was increased by 10% (€137 million).
The Energy & Industry Division was created through the integration of the former divisions of Applus+ RTD, Applus+ Velosi and Applus+ Norcontrol.
Today, Applus+ is one of the global leaders in the testing, inspection and certification sector. The Group operates in more than 65 countries on five continents, employing over 25,000 professionals globally.
In 2022, the Group recorded revenues of €2,049 million. Its focus on sustainability and ESG, with specific annual goals and improvement policies, has achieved important recognitions.
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