SOCOTEC is accelerating its nationwide growth strategy with a sweeping series of acquisitions and geographic expansions that significantly strengthen its Construction Materials Testing (CMT) capabilities across the United States. The company announced Dec. 3 that it has added 265 specialists through the acquisitions of Advance Testing on the East Coast and AAR Testing and Inspection in the Pacific Northwest, while also establishing a new office in Austin, Texas.
These moves build on SOCOTEC USA’s rapid transformation since 2019, when it entered the market as a niche consultancy. With its latest expansion, the company now encompasses more than 1,700 professionals across 40 U.S. offices, underscoring its evolution into a multidisciplinary powerhouse in the built-environment sector.
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SOCOTEC’s acquisition of Advance Testing Company marks a major milestone in its East Coast strategy. Founded in 1984 and based in New York, Advance Testing is recognized as one of the region’s premier CMT providers, operating accredited labs across New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The company’s services span a full range of materials testing disciplines—such as concrete, asphalt, petrography, steel, welding, soil analysis, pavement profiling, and building code special inspections. With a staff of 150 experts and multiple state-of-the-art facilities, Advance Testing has supported significant public and private construction programs for more than four decades and has earned 12 consecutive ACIL Customer Service Awards.
James P. Smith, Jr., CEO of Advance Testing, said the move will help continue a legacy rooted in quality and reliability. “I founded this company in 1984 with the goal of delivering rigorous, reliable, and responsive materials testing services to our clients. Joining SOCOTEC USA marks an exciting new chapter that honors that legacy while giving our team the resources and reach to continue leading in quality and innovation.”
SOCOTEC also acquired AAR Testing and Inspection, Inc., a Washington-based special inspection and materials testing firm known for supporting large-scale transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the region. With three accredited facilities in Redmond, Lacey and Wenatchee, AAR brings 115 professionals and deep expertise in IBC-compliant inspections, geotechnical materials testing, NDT, and project-specific services.
AAR holds accreditation from AASHTO, WABO, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—credentials that bolstered its long-standing role in major infrastructure initiatives since its founding in 1989.
Chris Christensen, CEO of AAR, said the partnership is a natural fit. “We are excited to partner with SOCOTEC, an organization that shares our commitment to excellence in quality management and materials testing. This partnership provides our team with enhanced resources while allowing us to continue delivering the specialized inspection services and rigorous testing capabilities our Washington State clients have relied on for over three decades.”
Following integration, AAR will serve as SOCOTEC’s cornerstone for expanding a comprehensive Infrastructure & Environmental platform across the Pacific Northwest.
Alongside its acquisitions, SOCOTEC is expanding organically with a newly established Austin, Texas office. The location provides a local base for broad CMT services and enhances the firm’s ability to serve both public and private clients across Central Texas.
With offices now in Austin, Dallas and Houston, SOCOTEC has effectively built a statewide network designed to deliver responsive, local, and technically rigorous materials testing capabilities.
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These growth moves follow SOCOTEC’s acquisition of Ninyo & Moore last year, which bolstered the company’s geotechnical and CMT expertise on the West Coast. Together, the acquisitions of Advance Testing, AAR, and the new Austin office establish a truly nationwide infrastructure support platform that stretches across key regions.
Hervé Montjotin, CEO of SOCOTEC GROUP, said the U.S. now plays a critical role in the company’s global strategy. “The United States has become an essential pillar of SOCOTEC's global strategy, now representing 20% of the Group's total revenue. Our geographic balance between Europe and the U.S., and our dual expertise across regulatory compliance and advisory services, form the foundation of our global growth. With the acquisitions of Advance Testing and AAR Testing & Inspection, we are reinforcing this balance while expanding our technical capabilities and market reach. The U.S. will continue to play a decisive role in SOCOTEC's development in the years ahead.”
Nicolas Detchepare, CEO of SOCOTEC USA, emphasized the strategic importance of the combined initiatives. “Our rapid growth in the United States reflects both the strength of the SOCOTEC model and the dynamism of the U.S. built-asset sector. By welcoming Advance Testing and AAR Testing & Inspection into the SOCOTEC family, we significantly expand our ability to deliver high-quality, integrated solutions across strategically vital territories. Our organic expansion into Texas, including the establishment of our Austin office combined with our Houston and Dallas presence, strategically positions us to deliver responsive local services across the state. These growth initiatives bring deep expertise, strong reputations, and exceptional teams that will accelerate our long-term expansion and enable us to support the most complex infrastructure and building programs in the country, staying true to our promise of trusted expertise, from the ground up.”
Originally reported by Socotec in PR Newswire.
