Bureau Veritas acquires 100 % of the Brazilian group ANASOL

Paris, 14 April 2008 – Bureau Veritas has just acquired 100 % of the capital of the Brazilian company Analytical Solutions S.A. (ANASOL). Following the acquisition of the Chilean group Cesmec in February, this comes as a continuation of Bureau Veritas’ expansion in Latin America through external growth.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, ANASOL is the second largest laboratory analysis group in Brazil. Recognized as one of the most advanced laboratories of its type in Latin America, ANASOL offers various industries and agribusinesses a wide range of analyses of raw materials and processed products. The company has more than 1500 clients in the industrial, environmental, petroleum and food-processing sectors.

The company has laboratories in four cities, including Rio and Sao Paulo, and has 170 qualified employees. ANASOL‘s turnover for 2007 was around €10 million. Bureau Veritas will now have 1,800 employees in Brazil.

This acquisition strongly complements that of Cesmec, and will strengthen Bureau Veritas’ positions in Latin America, one of the highest growth areas in the world. It will enable Bureau Veritas to broaden its capabilities in terms of the laboratory analysis of raw materials and processed products and to strengthen its position with key accounts in the petroleum, food-processing and mining sectors.

Bureau Veritas’ strategy has been to combine the pursuit of high organic growth with a proactive policy of external growth through acquisitions.

About Bureau Veritas
Founded in 1828, Bureau Veritas is an international group specialised in the inspection, analysis, audit, and certification of products, infrastructure (buildings, industrial sites, equipment, ships, etc.) and management systems (ISO standards etc.) in relation to regulatory or voluntary frameworks.

 
Bureau Veritas ranks as the world's second largest group in conformity assessment and certification services in the fields of quality, health and safety, environment, and social responsibility ("QHSE") and the world leader in QHSE services not including raw materials inspection. Bureau Veritas is recognised and accredited by major national and international organisations.

Bureau Veritas is present in 140 countries through a network of 850 offices and laboratories. It has more than 33,000 employees and a client base of more than 300,000.

Since 1996, Bureau Veritas has posted average annual growth of 15% in revenue and 22% in adjusted operating profit. In 2007, the group reported revenue of € 2.07 billion, adjusted operating profit of € 312 million and adjusted net profit (Group share) of €193 million.

Bureau Veritas has been listed on the Euronext Paris (Compartment A, code ISIN FR 0006174348, mnemonic: BVI) since October 24, 2007.

Contacts
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Claire Plais – +33 (0)1 42 91 28 54

Journalists

Véronique Gielec – +33 (0)1 42 91 32 74
Olivier Richard – +33 (0)1 42 91 33 26