24 Aug 2023
  • Post-Covid, corporations around the world have intensified their focus on quality, health, safety and wellbeing, resulting in growing demand for bespoke People Assurance solutions and mobile-based learning

  • With approximately 2.7 billion people, or 80% of the global workforce in deskless roles, the demand for comprehensive mobile-based learning delivered at the point of need is growing

  • Acquisition of PlayerLync is a compelling strategic fit that strengthens Intertek’s position as a leader in SaaS-based, technology-enabled People Assurance services as it meets the demands of a fast-evolving workforce, connecting deskless and mobile workers to high-quality, engaging content

More information is available here: https://www.intertek.com/investors/playerlync-video/

Intertek Group plc (“Intertek” and “Group”), a Total Quality Assurance provider to a range of industries worldwide, announces that it has acquired PlayerLync Holdings, Inc. (“PlayerLync”) a leading SaaS- based platform which combines mobile learning, operational support and compliance, content management and people engagement in a single application.

Post-Covid, corporations around the world have intensified their focus on quality, health, safety and wellbeing, resulting in growing demand for bespoke People Assurance solutions and mobile-based learning, driven by increasing regulation and heightened end-customer expectations.

With approximately 2.7 billion people, or 80% of the global workforce operating in deskless roles today1, the demand for bespoke People Assurance solutions and mobile-based learning delivered at the point of need continues to grow, driven by increasing regulation and heightened end-customer expectations.

For businesses with large frontline workforces, including within the restaurant, hospitality and retail industries, delivering intuitive technology-enabled training, learning and development content to employees via mobile devices has therefore become mission critical.

PlayerLync’s unique value proposition addresses the critical gaps that currently exist for corporates in meeting the demands of a fast-evolving workforce, harnessing its innovative, tech-enabled mobile management platform to connect deskless and mobile workers to high-quality, engaging content. Its mobile workforce enablement platform combines mobile learning, operational support and compliance, content management, and communications in a single native app which is used predominantly by customers in the food retail, restaurant and hospitality sectors in North America.

PlayerLync will become part of Intertek’s People Assurance business, building on the Group’s earlier pioneering acquisition of Alchemy/Wisetail by adding robust mobile content management, communication, and offline synchronization capabilities.

1 The Human CapitalHub, Skedulo, McKinsey, Harvard Business Review

The acquisition creates compelling additional growth opportunities for Intertek to strengthen its existing People Assurance service offering, further enhancing the Group’s differentiated Total Quality Assurance proposition and Science-based Customer Excellence advantage.

Founded in 2012 and based in Denver, Colorado, PlayerLync employs 35 people and generated revenues of £6.1m in 2022.

André Lacroix, Chief Executive Officer of Intertek, said: “The acquisition of PlayerLync, a leading provider of high-quality mobile-first training and learning content to frontline workforces at some of the world’s leading consumer brands, strengthens our position as a leader in SaaS-based, technology- enabled People Assurance services. Post-Covid, companies realise that as customer and stakeholder expectations surrounding health, safety and the environment reach new heights, delivering meaningful engagement with their frontline employees is mission critical for business success.

We step-changed our People Assurance with the acquisition of Alchemy/Wisetail in 2018 and PlayerLync provides a compelling opportunity to further enhance our differentiated TQA proposition and customer excellence advantage in what is a fast-evolving landscape. As the deskless frontline workforce continues to grow, software-based technology solutions that deliver learning, communications and engagement are ever more important and the combination of Wisetail and PlayerLync will be exceptionally well-placed to address those needs.

We welcome the PlayerLync team to Intertek and look forward to working together to seize the truly exciting opportunities ahead.”

For further information, please contact:

Denis Moreau, Investor Relations
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7396 3415 investor@intertek.com

Jonathon Brill/James Styles, Dentons Global Advisors
Telephone: +44 (0)7836 622 683 intertek@dentonsglobaladvisors.com

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.

Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains.

Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently, with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.

www.intertek.com