Campbell Brothers has bought US-based environmental and food analytical group, Columbia Analytical Services (CAS), for $US33 million ($31 million), as the company seeks to expand in the United States.
Campbell Brothers' laboratory services business ALS made the takeover of CAS, which is based in Washington state and has six laboratories employing 330 staff.
Campbell Brothers chief executive Greg Kilmister said the CAS takeover brought the total number of laboratories in the US to 16, with full coverage across most parts of the country.
"The acquisition positions us as the number two environmental group in the USA by revenue," he said in a statement.
"Importantly, the acquisition also gives us a small foothold in food and pharmaceutical testing in the USA which is part of our strategy to develop a global food analytical services business."
Campbell Brothers also said it bought Austpower Engineering during October for $A28 million as well as future potential earn-out depending on the financial performance over the next two years.
Austpower is a Newcastle-based industrial inspection and engineering business providing services to the power generation industry, employing 81 staff.
Campbell Brothers will release its September half year results on the November 29.
