Catalis Group’s Testronic increases global capacity through strategic acquisition

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Gaming quality assurance and testing firm Testronic, part of the Catalis Group, has acquired Whyttest, a games QA and customer support business headquartered in Romania – a move set to increase headcount by 15 per cent.

Testronic provides services to the global games publishing and film and TV markets, including Quality Assurance, Localisation, Compliance and Certification and Customer Support. It employs over 1,000 people in the US, UK and Poland.

The deal provides additional capacity to allow Testronic to build on its already growing global client base, which includes major video game publishers and developers.

This is the first acquisition for Testronic, and the first following NorthEdge’s £90 million backing of parent company Catalis Group in October 2019. It follows rapid organic growth, which saw Testronic open an office in New Orleans earlier in 2020 to strengthen its presence in North America.

Whyttest was founded in Romania in 2014. Its 150-strong team provide mobile, PC and console video games testing at sites in Bucharest and Belgrade.

Dominic Wheatley, Catalis Group Chief Executive and Testronic CEO, said: “The investment we received from NorthEdge in October last year, alongside continued support from Vespa Capital, has given us the opportunity to further grow the business. This milestone acquisition strengthens Testronic’s position in Eastern Europe and provides us with more resources as we target continued growth, both organically and via acquisition.”

Marius Potirniche, Whyttest founder, will become a senior executive within the Testronic team following the deal.

Nicola McQuaid, Investment Director at NorthEdge, said: “In a fragmented testing and QA market, Testronic has delivered continued growth. The business consistently provides high-quality service to its clients, a key strength mirrored in the Whyttest team.

“This is a significant acquisition, it provides additional capacity and is the first of many acquisitions that will support the rapid growth plans the business has.

“Whyttest is the second bolt-on acquisition NorthEdge has supported across our portfolio in August, following the acquisition of Optosafe by property, site and people protection specialist Orbis Protect. These acquisitions mark new chapters of growth for both Orbis Protect and Testronic as we support their ongoing evolution, and further demonstrate our confidence in the businesses and people that we back.”

Testronic is part of Catalis Group, which also includes digital publishing business Curve Digital. Testronic’s acquisition was funded by NorthEdge’s committed acquisition facility, a fund set up upon the private equity firm’s partnership with the Catalis Group. DWF acted as legal advisors while Grant Thornton completed tax due diligence.

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