“CHAMP Ventures provided the strategic vision, funding and support to transform Amdel from an unloved subsidiary to an Australian leader in minerals testing.”
CEO Steve McAllister
Case Study: Amdel
Amdel Limited
- Quadrupled earnings and grew staff numbers from 525 to over 1,200
- Restored strategic focus on minerals business and built market leadership
- Substantial capital investment to upgrade capacity and support specific customer opportunities
- Expanded geographically and consolidated market position through three strategic acquisitions
Amdel Limited is the market leader in analytical testing in the Australian mining sector, and offers testing services across a range of other markets including food and environmental.
CHAMP Ventures sponsored an MBO of Amdel in December 2005. Early on we refocused Amdel on its core minerals business and invested more than $15 million in establishing Greenfield facilities at Wingfield (South Australia) and Mt Isa (Queensland), in increasing capacity in Western Australia and in upgrading information systems.
We also made three strategic acquisitions – Ultra Trace and Independent Metallurgical Laboratories to consolidate Amdel’s position as the Australian leader in minerals testing; and Lab Mark to consolidate the position in environmental testing.
Key hires in business development, operations and finance broadened Amdel’s commercial skills throughout the business.
As a result of these initiatives, Amdel doubled revenue, grew earnings by more than four times and increased total employees from 525 to over 1,200.
In May 2008, Amdel was acquired by Bureau Veritas, a global test and inspection business. Amdel is a platform for further expansion by Bureau Veritas into the global minerals testing market.
