NORTHBROOK, IL - UL has acquired Advanced Furniture Testing, which provides performance and durability furniture testing services to many of the largest North American commercial furniture manufacturers. Terms of the Sept. 30 transaction were not disclosed.

UL says the acquisition enables it to offer a broader range of services by combining its safety and chemical emissions testing services with the performance and durability testing offered by Advanced Furniture Testing. The two companies had launched a testing partnership earlier this year.

"This acquisition establishes UL as a leader in the furniture testing business and provides us with an opportunity to build a furniture center of excellence with an expanded service portfolio, as well as add capabilities in children's furniture,"said Alberto Uggetti, UL general manager for UL's Furniture Division.

UL said it will retain Advanced Furniture Testing's Holland, MI-based headquarters and its Jasper, IN, testing facility. In addition, the statement said, Advanced Furniture Testing will tap UL's global resources in Italy, China and the United States to develop and expand market opportunities with furniture retailers and manufacturers.

Advanced Furniture Testing is a privately held firm. Founder Doug Woodard and the firm's 12 employees will transfer to UL and remain with the company. Woodward, previously employed by Herman Miller and KI, has designed and built nearly 30 test machines and devices, the company said.