Ardian-backed Assystem, an independent engineering group, completed the acquisition of Software Quality Systems, a Germany-based provider software and business process quality solutions, for $423m. "We believe that it is an opportunity to join up with an organisation that is complementary and which provides enhanced opportunity for the benefit of our staff and customers. Combining the two companies will create a truly global business delivering a "best in class" offering to customers based on a shared culture of technical excellence, continued innovation and providing the highest standards of service," Diederik Vos, SQS CEO.