Silliker Strengthens Position in China, Acquiring Majority Ownership of Two Laboratories

Silliker made a majority investment in the start-up Beijing-based laboratory, BJJR (a joint venture with Beijing Xinghongke Inspection and Quarantines Sci-Tech Service Centre). The company holds a full license for Import & Export Commodity Inspection and Survey issued by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

08/04/09 Silliker, the world leader in the field of food safety and quality services and part of the Mérieux Alliance group of companies, has announced that it has invested in two Chinese laboratories, Shanghai Allsuccess Commodity Inspection Co., Ltd (ACIC) and Beijing Inspection JR Laboratories Inc (BJJR). Both companies will be integrated into Silliker.

Founded by John Tao in 2004, ACIC is a fully accredited laboratory headquartered in Shanghai with satellite liaison offices situated near major seaport cities serving major international food companies and retailers. Mr. Tao will continue in his role as CEO of ACIC and will join Silliker Greater China Executive Committee, chaired by Antoine Bloch, VP Asia Pacific. The acquisition is subject to PRC authorities’ approvals.

Silliker made a majority investment in the start-up Beijing-based laboratory, BJJR (a joint venture with Beijing Xinghongke Inspection and Quarantines Sci-Tech Service Centre). The company holds a full license for Import & Export Commodity Inspection and Survey issued by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. BJJR is in the process of being fully accredited by the China National Accreditation Service (CNAS). The company offers analytical testing, consulting and training services to the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.

These acquisitions will solidify Silliker’s expansion in China, extending its scope of analytical services to primary food producers, industry and international agencies. With the license for Import and Export commodity from AQSIQ and the CNAS Accreditation, Silliker is one of a small number of independent foreign laboratories in China. To date, Silliker activities in China have primarily focused on providing auditing services to the world’s major catering, hotel and retail companies. ACIC and BJJR will benefit from the vast analytical, technological, and data management resources available through the Silliker international leadership.

“Acquiring ACIC and BJJR reflects our strategic ambition to expand our international presence in developing countries. After investing in BioAgri, Brazil’s leading analytical laboratory last year, these investments allow Silliker to offer the full range of Silliker services to customers who produce for the export and Chinese markets.” said Philippe Sans, CEO of Silliker.

“ACIC has outstanding expertise for container inspection and testing, vital to the Chinese dominated export market while BJJR has an excellent reputation for the importing and exporting of commodities. These acquisitions provide Silliker clients with additional expertise in China and talented teams that will help us to better satisfy our customers’ needs. Our customers will benefit from the Silliker expertise for the global supply chain with our complete range of services now available in China”, added Antoine Bloch, VP Asia Pacific.