En spennende milepæl for ExTek!
I mange år har vi hatt gleden av å hjelpe industrien med kompetanse innen Elektro, CompEx, Ex og FSE. Nå får vi muligheten til å videreføre dette arbeidet som en del av Apave Group - sammen med blant annet Synfaring, Trainor og OComp (Apave Group).

Vi gleder oss til å bli kjent med våre nye kolleger og til å kombinere lokal ekspertise med et sterkt internasjonalt fagmiljø. Takk til kunder, samarbeidspartnere og ansatte som har vært med oss på reisen så langt. Vi ser frem til fortsettelsen! 🤩

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PRESS RELEASE
Paris, 08 September 2026

The Apave Group strengthens its presence in Northern Europe

with the acquisitions of Synfaring and ExTek in Norway
Apave, an international group with over 150 years of experience specialising in technical, environmental,
human, digital, and climate risk management, has today announced the acquisitions of ExTek and
Synfaring. These two Norwegian players specialise in technical safety training and certification and
inspection.

This double acquisition fully aligns with the Apave Group's new strategic plan for 2030, in which Northern
Europe represents one of the main geographical pillars.

Synfaring: a leading player in industrial certification and inspection
Founded in 2018, Synfaring is a leading independent player in the Norwegian technical inspection and
regulatory certification market. The company has established a strong reputation thanks to a
comprehensive service portfolio that includes non-destructive testing (NDT), lifting equipment certification,
engineering consultancy, and marine infrastructure compliance validation. Leveraging eight key
accreditations and strategic locations along the western coast of Norway, Synfaring serves hundreds of
clients, primarily across the aquaculture, energy, and maritime transport sectors.

ExTek: Niche expertise in safety training for complex environments
Based in Bryne, in close proximity to the energy hub of Stavanger, ExTek is a highly specialised training
provider focusing on explosion protection (Ex) and electrical safety (FSE) for the industrial and offshore
markets. Thanks to an agile operational model and a mobile laboratory that delivers tailored hands-on
training, the company has established itself as a recognised player in its market. ExTek stands out as an
approved CompEx training and certification centre - the international benchmark certification for working
safely in explosive atmospheres (ATEX). This makes it the only provider in Norway alongside Trainor, an
Apave Group subsidiary, to hold this accreditation.

Consolidating Apave’s footprint in Northern Europe and Scandinavia
Building on the strategic acquisitions of Baltic Control (2023), Trainor (2023), and OComp (early 2026), the
Apave Group has reached a new milestone in its Northern European expansion with the integration of
Synfaring and ExTek. These consecutive deals strengthen the Group’s expertise and local footprint,
bringing its workforce to over 150 professionals in Norway, and close to 250 across the wider Scandinavian
region.

By establishing a solid presence around Bergen, Stavanger, and along Norway’s west coast, Apave is
strengthening its local foothold and enhancing its ability to help clients manage risks across the Nordic
region. This expanded footprint also unlocks new growth opportunities for the Group in these key markets.

In the region, Apave has established itself as the leader in CompEx training and certification. Trainor,
recognised as one of Norway’s market benchmarks for e-learning - including CompEx-accredited courses -

now expands its offering through ExTek’s expertise in CompEx-accredited, practical hands-on training
and certification.

Apave reaffirms its position as a market leader in industrial and operational risk
management
In traditional industrial sectors as well as within the Scandinavian "Blue Economy"—which encompasses
aquaculture, energy, and shipping—operators face increasingly stringent safety and regulatory compliance
requirements. The simultaneous integration of Synfaring and ExTek directly enhances Apave's capability
to identify and manage risks, and to ensure compliance of critical infrastructure amidst these market shifts.

Apave now offers a comprehensive suite of services to regional industrial players, extending from facility
certification and inspection to operator qualification in complex environments. The Group is thereby
strengthening its value proposition for Northern European operators, ensuring the safety, reliability, and
availability of their assets at every stage of their lifecycle.

"By integrating the teams and expertise of Synfaring and ExTek, Apave significantly strengthens its role as
a trusted partner in Northern Europe. With nearly 250 employees now in the region, we provide industrial
clients with tailored support to meet their safety, skills, and performance challenges. I am delighted to
extend a warm welcome to these new talents joining Apave," said Philippe Maillard, CEO of the Apave
Group.

“Joining Apave gives Synfaring a strong platform for the next phase of growth. We look forward to building
on what we have created and developing our people, expertise and customer offering as part of a leading
international group,” said Bjarte Fosse, Founder of Synfaring.

“We are very pleased to become a part of Apave Group. The combination of ExTek’s expertise, experience,
and Trainor’s strong position and ambitions create an excellent platform for further growth and
development. We see significant opportunities to strengthen our offering to customers, create new
opportunities for our employees, and continue developing ExTek as part of a larger and highly capable
organisation. I am looking forward to the next chapter together in Apave Group.” noted Gudveig Elin
Undheim, Sales and Site Manager at ExTek.

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About Apave Group
Apave is an independent international group with over 150 years’ experience, specialising in the management of technical, human,
environmental, digital and climate risks. The Group recorded a turnover of nearly €1.9 billion in 2025 and now employs 18,500 people
in nearly 60 countries. Offering inspection, certification, technical training, testing & measurement, and consultancy services. Apave
supports all types of clients, including private companies and public authorities. For more information visit www.apave.com

Press Contacts

Brunswick Group
Hugues Boëton
Aude Lepreux
06 79 99 27 15
Apave@brunswickgroup.com