Norstat Strengthens UK Hand with Panelbase Buy

European data collection specialist Norstat has acquired UK company Panelbase, strengthening its position in Western Europe and adding around 370,000 adults to its UK panel. Panelbase's Paul Wealleans will head up the combined company as MD for Norstat UK & Ireland.

Founded in 2004 and until now part of Northumberland-based DRG, Panelbase focuses on providing online sample, scripting & tabulation and concept testing services to research agencies, marketing agencies, PR agencies and other panels across the world. In addition to its adult panel members it boasts dedicated youth panels of more than 55,000 engaged kids and teens, and offers more than 1000 profiling fields.

Norstat says the two firm's market footprints are complementary, and that integrating Panelbase will allow it to deliver high-quality data on consumer and B2B markets in the UK to clients throughout Europe and beyond, while providing Panelbase clients with Norstat's technology and digital solutions and creating 'a robust platform for organic growth' in the UK, Europe's largest MR market. Two weeks ago Norstat UK officially joined Norstat International, in preparation for this week's move.

Jacob Lagerstedt, currently MD of Norstat International, will play a key role post-integration as Regional Director for Norstat's International, UK & Ireland markets.

Wealleans (pictured), until now Panelbase's CEO, says the two companies 'have a mutual commitment to provide high-quality data for critical decision-making to their clients', and adds: 'This is a very exciting step for Panelbase and through joining Norstat we become part of a significant European player within data collection which will benefit our valued clients and dedicated employees'.

Erling J.B. Eriksen, CEO of Norstat says the buy is 'a key step in our journey to become the leading data collection company in the UK and Ireland'. He comments: 'Panelbase's impressive expertise and market standing align perfectly with our growth strategy. I am delighted that Paul Wealleans will stay on as Managing Director of Norstat UK & Ireland'. Mats Beck, Chief Strategy and M&A officer of Norstat, adds: 'Norstat has a proven M&A platform with a strong track record of successfully integrating six acquisitions in the last 24 months. We have followed Panelbase closely the last years and have been impressed by their position as a high-quality data collection provider in the UK and their results'.

Norstat was established in Norway in 1997 and now has a presence in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy. Web site: www.norstatgroup.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.