SAI Global Assurance announces intent to explore strategic options for South African business.

SAI Global has announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Assurance South African business to NOSA Group, a leading global occupational health and safety (OHS) risk management solutions provider. Closing of this transaction is subject to customary conditions and is projected to occur in December 2019.

SAI Global Assurance’s South African businesses, which comprises of QPRO and SAIGAS, provide comprehensive, technically superior services concentrating on food, environmental, water and beverage microbiological testing. The businesses are committed to implementing, reviewing and monitoring food safety practices and ensuring there are robust quality frameworks and protocols in place that underpin food safety through the supply chain.

NOSA Group is a global leader in the provision of OHS risk management solutions operating across five continents. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Aspirata (a BBEE Level 2 contributor), trading as NOSA Testing, NOSA Group has a leading testing, inspection and certification business in Southern Africa focused on Food Safety and Occupational Hygiene.

“This transaction represents SAI Global Assurance’s continuing execution of our strategy to concentrate our resources on our core strategic geographies, partnering with our customers in protecting their brand and reputation through our expertise and innovative technologies,” commented John Rowley, CEO SAI Global Assurance. “We believe NOSA is the right partner for QPRO and SAIGAS and that together they have an excellent opportunity to continue to develop on QPRO and SAIGAS’ track record with food safety auditing and microbiological testing, while also executing on existing customer commitments.”

“We are excited about having NOSA as our new partner and look forward to being able to accelerate our strategic vision as we continue to serve our customers with the successful management of food safety auditing and microbiological testing,” said Nigel Alexander, Managing Director Assurance Operations, SAI Global Assurance. “By joining forces with NOSA, we have a unique opportunity to reshape the industry by increasing our scope in microbiological, chemical testing and business reporting tools.”

Until the closing of the transaction, NOSA, QPRO and SAIGAS will continue to operate as independent companies and will remain committed to providing superior service to create value for their customers.