TÜV SÜD acquires US business RCI Consultants, Inc.

Munich, Germany / Houston, Texas.  TÜV SÜD announces the strategic acquisition of RCI Consultants, Inc., located in Houston, Texas, to expand its suite of services for the oil and gas industries. RCI Consultants, Inc. specializes in consultancy services; assisting their clients in development, construction, and installation of production facilities and long-distance transportation pipelines utilized for the oil and natural gas industries. 

"We aim to further compliment our suite of services for the oil and gas industry in the coming years", says Karsten Xander, Member of the Board of Management of TÜV SÜD AG. "The acquisition of RCI Consultants is an important milestone on the route to reach this goal. It serves as a door-opener to the upstream market for the exploration and production of oil and gas, and significantly expands our portfolio of services in the midstream market for long-distance transportation and refining." So far, TÜV SÜD's service offer has focused primarily on companies in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, which includes the refining of crude oil. In this sector, the technical services group expanded its portfolio of services, reinforcing its presence in the important US market in 2007, by acquiring US company PetroChem Inspection Services.

"RCI Consultants ideally compliments the existing suite of services of our Chemical, Oil & Gas Business Unit", explains Ian Nicol, President and CEO at TÜV SÜD America. "Thanks to its expertise, the company also enjoys a stellar reputation in the industry." The specialist service provider's suite of services covers project consultancy and management, surveillance and inspection, quality assurance and quality control, and services in the fields of occupational health and safety and environmental management. RCI Consultants and its 130 highly specialized and experienced employees primarily service clients in the onshore and offshore segments of the oil and gas industry, focusing on complex tasks such as offshore structures, topside facilities, and sub-sea pipelines and equipment, including significant involvement in deep-water field development.

"Our multi-disciplinary and experienced team works with our clients to ensure professional and efficient management for every single project", says Brant LeBlanc, CEO, RCI Consultants, Inc. "Integration into the TÜV SÜD Group now gives us the opportunity to offer our clients additional services, such as non-destructive testing or risk assessments, and to support them with a broader range of expertise for the management of projects of any size or scope." LeBlanc affirms that the acquisition further offers the company an excellent starting point for the targeted expansion of its existing activities to the onshore upstream and downstream markets, segments which he believes offer considerable potential for growth, in areas such as the ongoing and increasing development of the shale oil and shale gas resources in North America.

Further information on TÜV SÜD America's range of services for the oil and gas industry is available at:
www.tuv-sud-america.com/c.o.g.

Media Relations:

1. Carmen Asteinza
   TÜV SÜD America
   Marketing Director
   10 Centennial Drive
   Peabody, MA  01960
2. Tel. (978) 573-2577
   Fax(978) 977-0157
   casteinza@tuvam.com
   www.tuv-sud-america.com