News
21 May 2025
CERTIFER strengthens its presence in Australia with the acquisition of SCG
CERTIFER, a subsidiary of the Apave Group and leader in certification and technical assistance in the field of guided transport, announces today the acquisition of Strategic Connections Group (SCG), a Melbourne-based engineering and compliance consultancy specialising in Project Engineering, System Engineering and System Assurance (SESA) for the Rail Industry.
Australian Expansion
This acquisition marks a significant expansion of the CERTIFER footprint in Australia, establishing a new office in Melbourne and adding 20 highly skilled professionals to the team. Founded in 2009, SCG has built an excellent reputation for its expertise in engineering, supply chain management, project management, safety compliance and innovative business support services, primarily in the Rolling Stock and Operations & Maintenance domains. This new Melbourne arm is a key addition to CERTIFER’s centre of excellence in rolling stock, reflecting SCG’s deep expertise and leadership in rolling stock engineering, systems integration, and maintenance lifecycle support.
CERTIFER Chairman – capabilities enhancement
“This acquisition is a key strategic move which enhances our capabilities in the Australia’s rail sector,” said Nicolas Castres Saint Martin, CERTIFER’s Chairman. “SCG’s technical expertise and established client relationships complement our existing services and will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients across the Australian market.”
Apave CEO – a strategic move
Philippe Maillard, CEO of Apave, stated: “This acquisition, the 27th by the Apave Group since the end of 2020, is a key part of our ambitious strategic plan for 2025. It accelerates the development of our Group in Australia, a market of strategic importance, and reinforces our capabilities in the Rail sector.”
Alan Burns & Raphael Cadars – a real opportunity
“We are truly excited to join the Apave Group! This strategic move represents a leap forward for our organization. Joining CERTIFER will help us develop our business and benefit from the experience and reputation of a renowned player in guided mobility.”
Future collaboration
Raphael Cadars will continue to lead SCG as Managing Director, while SCG’sfounder Alan Burns will support operations during the transition phase.
This acquisition follows Apave’s recent purchase of IRISNDT (now Apave North America), also present in Australia, in late 2024 and, combined with CERTIFER existing operations in Australia, will bring the Group’s presence in the country to approximately 120 employees.
SCG’s proven track record of supporting clients with compliance requirements and resolving complex technical challenges perfectly aligns with CERTIFER mission to enhance safety, quality, and performance across transportation systems.