Apave
Apave is a privately held French risk management group founded in 1867, delivering inspection, testing, certification, training, and consulting services to enterprise clients across 60 countries. Headquartered near Paris with 18,500 employees and €1.9 billion in revenue, it operates 215 training centers and a network of 30+ specialized subsidiaries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1867
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Apave does
Apave is a French-headquartered international risk management group founded in 1867 and based in Courbevoie (Paris), operating across 60 countries with 18,500 employees and €1.9 billion in annual turnover. The group delivers five core service areas — Inspection, Testing and Measurements, Certification and Labelling, Training, and Consulting and Technical Support — to enterprise customers in industry, construction, energy, transport, agri-food, automotive, telecoms, digital, services, consumer goods, healthcare, and public services. A distinctive element is its trainer-inspector model that combines field inspection expertise with training delivery through 215 training centers, producing 350,000 certified trainees per year.
The company operates as a platform plus more than 30 specialized wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Apave Certification, Apave Digital, Apave Diagnostics, Apave Aeroservices, Certifer (rail), Sopemea (materials testing), Aquass (environment), Oppida (cybersecurity), Synidia, and CND Service, each addressing narrow industry verticals or geographic markets. Apave generates revenue through B2B professional services — primarily periodic regulatory verifications, technical controls, testing, certification, training, and consulting — delivered via direct enterprise field sales teams and negotiated multi-year contracts. Pricing is quote-based, customized to industry, scope, and geography; no public pricing exists.
Apave is a privately held, mainly associative French group with no public listing and no disclosed external funding rounds; recent acquisitions have been self-financed using internal cash reserves. The most recent strategic phase has emphasized M&A-led expansion: training (CAMAS, Rhexis, 2021), inspection in Slovenia (Numip, 2022) and the Baltics (Baltic Control, 2023), inspection global (ABS Consulting activities, 2024; IRISNDT, 2024; CND Service, 2024), North Sea services (PIM, 2024), carbon accounting and sustainability (Aktio, 2025; DDA and Climate School, 2026 — combined under the Apave Impact subsidiary), rail testing (DEKRA Rail via Certifer, 2026), and Southeast Asia footprint (GEI, 2026).
Apave firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Apave
- Legal name
- Apave
- Website
- https://apave.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1867
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Apave is a privately held French risk management group founded in 1867, delivering inspection, testing, certification, training, and consulting services to enterprise clients across 60 countries. Headquartered near Paris with 18,500 employees and €1.9 billion in revenue, it operates 215 training centers and a network of 30+ specialized subsidiaries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Apave industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC)
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (54133), Engineering Services (541330), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reliability, Safety & Risk Engineering (RAMS/PSM) Consulting (BPAHAIAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- EHS Management Systems & ISO Consulting (ISO 14001/45001) (BPAHAJAF), Process Safety & Major Hazard Risk Management (PSM) (BPAHAJAE), Risk Management Consulting (Enterprise & Operational Risk) (FSAEADAG), Risk Management (Enterprise, Operational, Model) (EDABAJAF), Exposure Control & Program Management (IH Plans, Controls, Training) (EUAHAGAI)
Keywords
Where Apave is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Apave business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Inspection Services: Periodic regulatory verifications (VRP) for equipment compliance including lifting equipment, electrical installations, pressure equipment. Construction technical control for structural solidity and fire safety. Professional qualification monitoring and validation.
- Training Services: Risk management and safety training delivered through 215 training centers. The unique trainer-inspector model allows certification and diploma programs. Includes registration, attendance tracking, prerequisite management, evaluation, and certification delivery.
- Testing and Measurements: Physical measurement campaigns (noise, dust, vibrations, air quality), geotechnical sampling and testing, and construction materials testing. Both regulatory compliance testing and voluntary testing services.
- Certification Services: Management systems certification (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, 50001), skills and individual certification (real estate diagnosticians, welders), product/service/label certification (Qualiopi, CE Marking, PPE).
- Consulting Services: Psychosocial risk assessment, radiation protection consulting, ESG/sustainability consulting, carbon footprint consulting, radiation protection, and combating undeclared work verification services.
- Sustainability Services (Apave Impact): Sustainability and ESG services including emissions measurement, environmental assessments, decarbonization pathway management, and CSRD compliance. Launched with over 100 sustainability and ESG experts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise B2B professional services requiring custom quotes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Apave product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apave delivers risk management services built around five complementary offerings: Inspection, Testing and Measurements, Certification & Labelling, Training, and Consulting and Technical Support. With nearly 160 years of experience (founded 1867), the firm helps organizations manage technical, human, and environmental risks across the lifecycle of buildings, infrastructure, and industrial assets. Operations span 60 countries, supported by 18,500 employees and 215 training centers that train approximately 350,000 people each year.
Product overview
Apave is an international risk management group with nearly 160 years of experience offering services across five complementary areas: Inspection, Testing and Measurements, Certification & Labelling, Training, and Consulting and Technical Support. The company operates as a platform-plus-subsidiaries model, with over 30 specialized entities including Apave Certification, Apave Digital (cybersecurity), Apave Diagnostics, Certifer (railway), Sopemea (materials testing), Oppida (cybersecurity), Synidia (data analytics), and Aquass (environmental). The portfolio was significantly expanded through acquisitions including Aktio (carbon accounting), De Duurzame Adviseurs (decarbonization), CAMAS/RHEXIS (training), Numip (Slovenian inspection), PIM (North Sea management), and the recent launch of Apave Impact as a dedicated sustainability subsidiary. The company employs 18,500 people across 60 countries with 215 training centers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Apave Impact: A sustainability-focused subsidiary offering services including emissions measurement, environmental assessments, decarbonization pathway management, and CSRD compliance. Launched in 2026 through the acquisition of Dutch firm De Duurzame Adviseurs (DDA).
- Green & Social
Products and services
- Inspection Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 350,000 people trained annually
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Apave
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Apave technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Apave partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- GEIcoreApave Group finalized the acquisition of GEI, strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia. GEI operates as a specialized entity within the Apave network serving the Southeast Asian market.
- Climate School (AXA Climate)coreApave Group Strengthens its Apave Impact Subsidiary with the Acquisition of Climate School from AXA Climate. By integrating Climate School, Apave Impact expands its offering in training and expertise in sustainability education.
- DEKRA RailcoreApave Group accelerates its development in the rail sector with the acquisition of DEKRA Rail by its specialized subsidiary CERTIFER. This acquisition strengthens CERTIFER's position in the European rail testing and inspection market.
- De Duurzame Adviseurs (DDA)coreApave acquired Dutch decarbonization consulting firm De Duurzame Adviseurs (DDA) to strengthen its sustainability subsidiary Apave Impact. DDA is a Dutch leader in decarbonisation consultancy, and the acquisition brings over 100 sustainability and ESG experts to the platform.
- Business FranceflagshipApave participated in an official business delegation of 23 French companies visiting India for the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, inaugurated jointly by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The delegation, led by Business France, engaged in business meetings, sector workshops, and the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
- AktiocoreApave Group acquired French carbon accounting firm Aktio to enhance its expertise in sustainability and decarbonization. Aktio provides climate consulting and greenhouse gas management solutions, supporting hundreds of organizations with their low-carbon transition. The deal creates Aktio-Apave entity.
- ABS Consulting (Inspection Activities)coreApave Group acquired ABS Consulting's technical inspection services. This acquisition strengthens Apave's position in the inspection and certification market, expanding its capabilities in technical inspection services.
- PIM (Performance Inspection & Management)coreHill Dickinson advised Apave Group on the acquisition of PIM, a North Sea strategic management support specialist. PIM provides specialized services in the North Sea region.
- NumipcoreApave acquired Slovenian company Numip to expand its operations. The purchase was financed entirely with Apave's own cash reserves. Numip operates as a specialized entity within the Apave network.
- CAMAS and RHEXIScoreApave strengthened its leadership in professional training through the acquisition of CAMAS and RHEXIS, two training companies that enhance Apave's training capabilities and market position.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Apave competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Intertek: UK-headquartered TIC company (LSE-listed) providing quality assurance, testing, inspection and certification; directly comparable across industrial, consumer products and energy end markets where Apave operates.
- Bureau Veritas: Paris-headquartered global TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) group with ~€5.5B revenue; directly comparable as a French-rooted, multi-vertical TIC platform competing with Apave across inspection, certification, marine, and industry services.
- Kiwa: Dutch-headquartered TIC group active in certification, testing, inspection and training across water, energy, construction and food; comparable as a European-rooted TIC peer of similar scale and cooperative heritage to Apave.
- TÜV SÜD: German-headquartered TIC services group active in industrial inspection, certification, testing and training; directly comparable to Apave in regulated testing, automotive, and energy-sector services.
- SGS: Swiss-headquartered global TIC leader with ~CHF 6B revenue; directly comparable across testing, inspection, certification and training, competing with Apave for multinational enterprise and government clients.
- DNV: Norwegian-headquartered TIC and certification group (now under Stiftelsen Det Norske Veritas) with strong marine, energy, and supply-chain assurance; overlaps directly with Apave's maritime, energy and certification services.
- DEKRA: German-headquartered TIC organization (now cooperative-owned) with ~€3.5B revenue; directly comparable in vehicle inspection, industrial testing, certification and training, and notably the prior owner of DEKRA Rail which Apave recently acquired.
- TÜV Rheinland: German-headquartered global TIC group offering testing, inspection, certification and training services across industry, mobility, products and people — directly comparable to Apave's five-pillar service portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Mérieux NutriSciences: Global food testing, inspection and certification services group; partially comparable to Apave's agri-food and consumer goods TIC work but with a narrower industry vertical focus.
- Eurofins Scientific: Luxembourg-headquartered global testing laboratory group with significant overlap with Apave's testing/measurement services (Sopemea, Aquass, Lonestar), though more focused on bioanalytical, food and environmental testing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Apave social profiles
Digital presenceApave compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Apave financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Apave leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Apave subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries37 records
Apave funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Apave M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A8 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Apave
What does Apave do?
Apave delivers risk management services built around five complementary offerings: Inspection, Testing and Measurements, Certification & Labelling, Training, and Consulting and Technical Support. With nearly 160 years of experience (founded 1867), the firm helps organizations manage technical, human, and environmental risks across the lifecycle of buildings, infrastructure, and industrial assets. Operations span 60 countries, supported by 18,500 employees and 215 training centers that train approximately 350,000 people each year.
Is Apave a public or private company?
Apave is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Apave founded?
Apave was founded in 1867. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Apave based?
Apave is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Apave make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Inspection Services are the primary driver. The others are training Services, testing and Measurements, certification Services, consulting Services and sustainability Services (Apave Impact).
Who are Apave's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Intertek, Bureau Veritas, Kiwa, TÜV SÜD, SGS, DNV, DEKRA and TÜV Rheinland. Broad incumbents are Mérieux NutriSciences and Eurofins Scientific.
Does Apave have an API?
No public API is recorded for Apave.
What industry is Apave in?
Apave's product category is Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAK, Reliability, Safety & Risk Engineering (RAMS/PSM) Consulting, with a secondary code of BPAHAJAF, EHS Management Systems & ISO Consulting (ISO 14001/45001). Its NAICS code is 54133 and its SIC code is 8700.