The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Atlas acquired by global firm for around £10.7m
Deal: Chief of Mintra Group said the move creates ‘unrivalled expertise’
Aberdeen-based Atlas Knowledge has been acquired by global firm Mintra Group for around £10.7 million.
The firm said the move will bring both Aberdeen operations together, giving customers in the oil and gas, maritime, aviation, construction and energy sectors market-leading
“The acquisition follows substantial investment”
learning and competency systems and services.
With a turnover of around £15m, Mintra employs more than 100 people globally and is backed by investor the Riverside Company.
Atlas delivers digital learning solutions to safety critical industries, employing 39 people, with revenues of around £5m .
The acquisition results in a roster of more than 1,000 customers across 130 countries. Due to the deal, 500 courses in 20 languages will be available to those customers and Mintra anticipates in excess of 750,000 courses being accessed next year with significant growth and expansion into new sectors and geographies.
Scott Kerr, CEO of Mintra Group said the move creates “unrivalled expertise to benefit the training and competency needs of our customers. We are looking to improve the learner experience and the acquisition follows substantial investment in expanding our maritime and international course libraries. Combining these with the Atlas portfolio enhances our support to standards bodies, regulators and corporate customers while helping more than a million learners to develop their skills and stay safe.”
During the year to September 30, 2018, the company notched up about £90m in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation on revenue of around £215.6m.
Columbia will continue to operate under its own name as a subsidiary of Bristow after the deal completes, with both sides expecting this to happen before the end of 2018.
Bristow chief executive Jonathan Baliff said: “Columbia’s specialised heavy-lift capabilities complement Bristow’s offshore capabilities.
“We believe we will be able to utilise our UK SAR (search and rescue) expertise to build our combined business in the growing US government and industrial endmarkets, where Columbia has deep experience.”