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UL Acquires Wind Energy Measurement and Certification Leaders DEWI and DEWI-OCC

Addition of global assessment, inspection and advisory services to expand UL’s capabilities in fast growing renewable energy sector

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – June 4, 2012 – UL, a world leader in advancing safety, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DEWI, a world leader in wind energy measurement and testing services, and DEWI-OCC, an accredited DAkkS (German accreditation) certifier of onshore and offshore wind facilities. The additions position UL as a global, full-service provider of evaluation and certification services for the safety, performance and efficacy of wind energy systems.

“DEWI and DEWI-OCC have built unparalleled reputations for expertise, technical acumen and influence in the wind industry,” said Gitte Schjøtz, president of UL Europe and Latin America. “We will commit our global reach, dedicated resources and 118 years of certification experience to accelerating their growth paths and extending UL’s leadership in the renewable energy sector.”

Founded in 1990 to support Germany’s emerging wind energy industry, DEWI has expanded rapidly from a local research and development resource to an international leader in measurement services, micrositing, research and education, as well as technical and economic advisory services. DEWI has been relied upon by more than 1300 customers spanning 47 countries worldwide.

DEWI-OCC was founded by DEWI in 2003, and has grown to become a leading certifier of on- and offshore wind turbines and their components. In the field of wind energy, DEWI-OCC provides certification, due diligence expertise for investors and government authorities, type approvals, examinations, periodic inspections, and risk- and damage analyses.

DEWI’s performance and efficacy testing and DEWI-OCC’s certification services will join UL’s wind energy safety certification services to better address the evaluation needs of a global wind energy market that is expected to grow 67 percent by 2015. DEWI and DEWI-OCC will join UL’s Product Safety business unit and will continue to operate from its current global facilities.

About DEWI GmbH
Headquartered at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, DEWI GmbH or the Deutsches Windenergie Institut is an organization that completely caters to the wind energy sector, associated investors and developers. DEWI has been involved with the fundamental research in this field and the growth of measuring techniques in order to support and sustain this industry. Several services and tasks associated with the swift improvement of wind energy as well as creation of the wind farms are done by DEWI. In 1990, this independent company was established by the Federal State of Lower Saxony. Additional information may be found at www.dewi.de. 

About DEWI-OCC GmbH
DEWI-Offshore and Certification Centre GmbH (DEWI-OCC) was founded in 2003 in Cuxhaven as a subsidiary of the DEWI. DEWI-OCC is a certification body for on- and offshore wind turbines and their components, accredited by the DAkkS (Deutsches Akkreditierungssystem Prüfwesen). In addition to issuing certification, DEWI-OCC is actively involved in the ongoing development of wind energy standards. Additional information may be found at www.dewi-occ.de. 

About UL (Underwriters Laboratories)
UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 117 years of history. Employing more than 9,000 professionals in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units -- Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services – to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission. Additional information about UL may be found at UL.com. 

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Press release (English)
Pressemitteilung (German)