Northern Ireland engineering group WH Scott Group has acquired Pontyclun, South Wales-based Workplace Inspection Services in an undisclosed deal, according to the Belfast News Letter, marking a significant expansion of the group's industrial compliance and technical inspection portfolio across the UK and Ireland.

The acquisition integrates the Welsh engineering inspection business into WH Scott Group's Metlab division, reinforcing its health and safety compliance offering across regulated industries.

Established in Mallusk and tracing its roots in lifting and engineering to 1897, WH Scott Group is backed by investment partner Renatus Capital. The group said the deal represents a key milestone for Metlab and is expected to accelerate further growth.

Chief executive Patrick Doyle said: "Over the last 15 years, Huw and his team have built Workplace Inspection Services into the impressive company we see today. This is also a major milestone in the Metlab success story and I believe the synergy of both companies will develop new opportunities for growth, innovation and enhanced service delivery for our clients."

Founded in 2011 by Huw Davies, Workplace Inspection Services delivers engineering inspection services aligned with LOLER, PUWER, PSSR and COSHH regulations.

Davies said he had "great confidence" in the company's future under its new ownership, describing the transaction as the "right next step" for the business, its customers and staff.

Legal support was provided by AG Corporate Law, with KBS Corporate acting as deal adviser.

Access the full story to explore what this acquisition means for compliance-driven engineering across the region.