UL, a world leader in advancing safety, announced today the acquisition of Collis, a leading global provider of secure transaction technology and advisory services based in Leiden, Netherlands.
The addition positions UL as the world's first global provider of end-to-end transaction security, interoperability and conformance evaluation and advisory services for the mobile, payment card, eTicketing and ID management sectors.
Collis develops and tests secure transaction technology for banks, governments, mobile network operators and public transport companies. Its solutions include advisory services, test tools and expert training associated with smart card technology, mobile payments, NFC/TSM, security and risk, transactions, cards, devices and central host systems.
"Clients in the world of secure transactions need a well-known, global trusted brand for all of their independent advisory services, test tools and certification services," said Dirk Jan van den Heuvel, chief executive officer of Collis. "Helping UL respond to this need is a tremendous opportunity for our customers and our people alike."
Collis marks the third acquisition for UL's fast growing transaction security service line, following the additions of RFI Global in June 2010 and Witham Laboratories in January 2012. The growth in expertise, global footprint and capabilities fully extends UL into a worldwide mobile payments industry that is expected to grow 43 percent annually to $984 billion by 2014.Yankee Group, "A View from the Trenches: What Consumers Think of Mobile Transactions", Feb. 2011
"Adding Collis' talented team and state-of-the-art technology completes a world-class platform for transaction security evaluation and advisory services," said Sajeev Jesudas, president of UL Verification Services. "Not only does this acquisition fill out our comprehensive line of security evaluation services, but it equips us to advance safety science with the rapid pace of transaction innovation for years to come."
Collis will join the UL Verification Services business unit, which provides engineering services, consulting, testing, inspection and audits to thee appliance, high-tech, lighting and retail industries.