Q1 Moves Fast – But We Moved Faster

Building Momentum in a Cautious Market

I always say Q1 is the fastest quarter of the year. People return from the holidays full of fresh energy, dust off their strategic goals, and before they’ve even hit their stride – bam, Q1 is gone. That’s why we approach Q1 with urgency and intent – treating it not as a warm-up, but as a launchpad.

Last week, we held our quarterly strategy review session in London – a practice we’ve made central to how we operate. Every team is involved, every function has a voice: fast, honest assessments that keep us aligned to what matters – our clients, our performance, and our market. And if Q1 showed us anything, it’s that staying agile and deeply connected to the market is more essential than ever.

Business Development: Building the Pipeline

In the testing and inspection (TIC) industry, Q1 is often regarded as a slower sales period. A predictable seasonal dip. But rather than waiting for demand to pick up, we chose to fill our calendar with outbound business development.

We participated in high-impact industry events across three continents, including Arab Health in Dubai, MD&M West in Anaheim, and Medical Technology UK in Coventry. These events serve as listening tours. We wanted to understand the evolving pain points of medical device manufacturers and use that insight to shape more relevant, tailored solutions.

We also spent time on the ground with clients in the Netherlands, Germany, and across the UK. Importantly, many of them also visited our facility, which is always a highlight. There’s something powerful about seeing where and how the testing happens. It builds trust, and more often than not, it shortens the path to a deal.

And it worked – at least partially. In Q1, we recorded our highest-ever quote value, significantly exceeding our initial targets. That said, deal closures were more difficult. Despite strong interest and technical alignment, many clients hesitated – waiting for broader market stability before committing to product launch timelines or regulatory spend. In short, Q1 was a tale of two trends: an incredibly healthy pipeline, but a cautious buyer landscape.

One bright spot: U.S. inbound activity surged. That’s a strong early signal that our recent investment in U.S. business development is gaining traction.

Lab Operations: A New High Water Mark

While business development kept us busy externally, our operations team quietly delivered their best quarter to date.

Early in the year, we faced the typical hurdles – delays in clients’ supply chains and sample shipments – but the team met both our capacity and utilisation targets. That’s a direct result of the cross-functional visibility we’ve built into our processes. Every Study Director, Account Manager and Analyst at Test Labs is exposed to the full project lifecycle – from client enquiry through to final reporting. This transparency builds accountability and speeds up execution. It also fuels continuous improvement. We regularly fine-tune workflows to reduce friction and improve turnaround time.

This is more than anecdotal. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) – a key metric tracked by our account management team – remains strong and improving. We also made two new technical hires in Q1 and brought in new lab equipment, extending both our capacity and service portfolio.

Quality & Compliance: The Quiet Engine of Growth

Much of what our Quality and Compliance team does happens in the background – but it’s the bedrock of our business.

In Q1, we successfully completed Stage 2 BSI audits for ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, and 45001. We also hosted a three-day on-site UKAS audit, which left us with only minor findings and strong feedback about our systems and culture.

The team also continued refining business processes – chasing marginal gains that, over time, lead to high-impact results for both our clients and our internal efficiency. These are the things that don’t make headlines but are essential for a world-class testing environment. We often call them our strong foundations – and for good reason.

What We Learned in Q1

This quarter reminded us that growth isn’t just about doing more – it’s about doing better.

By focusing on client problems, rather than generic service offerings, we’ve deepened relationships and positioned ourselves as strategic partners. Our operations team has shown what’s possible when every person understands and owns the outcome. And our compliance and quality work continues to ensure we exceed expectations of regulators globally.

We’re entering Q2 with momentum. We’re introducing new services, and we’ll continue investing in what’s worked – engaged teams, client-first thinking, and operational excellence.

Q1 may be the fastest quarter. But if you’re moving with purpose, that speed works in your favour.