Strengthened inspection and testing capabilities in China with acquisition of Xiangstar

Control Union is pleased to announce the acquisition of Xiangstar Group, a Shanghai-based provider of inspection, survey and testing services with a strong footprint across China.

The acquisition strengthens Control Union’s ability to support customers involved in trade to and from China, one of the world’s most important import and export markets. It also extends Control Union’s existing expertise in industrial inspections, liquid cargo inspection, pre-shipment inspection, related survey services and commodity testing.

Founded in 2003, Xiangstar provides inspection, survey and testing services for a range of commodities and sectors, including hydrocarbons, agricultural and mineral products. The Xiangstar offering covers pre-shipment inspection, marine-related vessel and cargo damage surveys, industrial equipment inspection, supplier quality audit services and testing.

Xiangstar operates through a network of offices in China and has established relationships with international partners supporting activity at loading and discharge ports.

By bringing Xiangstar into the Control Union network, customers will benefit from broader service coverage and stronger local capability in China, combined with Control Union’s global presence, technical expertise and established customer relationships.

The acquisition will help customers access inspection services at both origin and destination, supporting greater confidence, consistency and efficiency across international supply chains.

Dirk Teichert, Chair of the APAC Region at Control Union, said: “China plays a central role in global trade, and our customers increasingly need trusted inspection and testing support at both origin and receiving locations. Xiangstar is a successful and respected business with deep local knowledge, technical expertise and a strong presence in China. We are pleased to welcome Xiangstar to Control Union and look forward to building on our shared strengths for the benefit of our customers.”

Thomas Luo Xiong, Managing Director at Xiangstar, said: “Joining Control Union is an important next step for Xiangstar. Our customers will continue to work with the same experienced teams and receive the same high level of service, while gaining easier access to Control Union’s international network and broader range of services. We see strong opportunities ahead for our employees, customers and partners.”

The acquisition reflects Control Union’s continued commitment to investing in technical capability, local expertise and service coverage in strategically important markets.