Private equity firm Premier Partners has been selected as the preferred bidder to acquire Samyoung Inspection Engineering, a South Korean company specializing in non-destructive testing (NDT), marking another step in the firm's expansion into buyout investments.
According to the investment banking industry, Premier Partners was recently named the preferred bidder to acquire the company. The transaction covers the 100% stake held by Opus Private Equity (PE), NH PE, and other shareholders, with the deal valued at approximately 100 billion won. The sale is being managed by Samil PwC.
Founded in 1982, Samyoung Inspection Engineering was acquired by Opus PE and NH PE in 2020. The company specializes in non-destructive testing technologies that evaluate the condition of metals used in large industrial structures through ultrasonic and radiographic inspection methods.
Non-destructive testing enables inspectors to identify internal defects and cracks without damaging the material being examined. The technology plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and integrity of infrastructure across industries including shipbuilding, power generation, and industrial plants.
The acquisition comes as Premier Partners continues to expand its presence in control-oriented private equity investments. The firm was also recently selected as the preferred bidder for Korea Fund Partners, a domestic fund administration company currently being sold by PTA Equity Partners.
Originally focused on growth capital investments by taking minority stakes in expanding businesses, Premier Partners has increasingly shifted toward buyout transactions as its investment platform has grown. Industry observers note that acquiring controlling stakes provides greater opportunities to enhance enterprise value while deploying larger amounts of investment capital.
The firm's 2023 acquisition of Vaim, a skin booster manufacturer known for its Juvelook brand, is widely regarded as a milestone in this strategic transition. Since the acquisition, Vaim has recorded significant business growth, with revenue increasing from 3.9 billion won in 2021 to 66.5 billion won in 2024.
Premier Partners is also preparing an exit from its investment in Vaim after appointing Goldman Sachs to manage the sale process during the first half of the year. Market estimates place Vaim's enterprise value at approximately 2 trillion won.
The proposed acquisition of Samyoung Inspection Engineering further strengthens Premier Partners' portfolio while highlighting continued investor interest in companies offering specialized non-destructive testing capabilities that support critical industrial safety and asset integrity applications.
Reference: https://en.sedaily.com/news/2026/08/03/premier-partners-wins-bid-for-nondestructive-testing-firm
