Specialist software firm i2i Infinity, which works with exporters to provide electronic certificates of origin, has been acquired by a Switzerland-based global certification group.
Shepton Mallet-based i2i Infinity provides customs compliance services to exporters and chambers of commerce using innovative proprietary software solutions. 
Established in 1986 and privately owned, it employs 12 people and serves more than 30,000 users worldwide. It is accredited by the British Chamber of Commerce and its software-as-a-service platform is used in more than 65 chambers of commerce in the UK and Canada.
i2i Infinity has been snapped up by SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
Geneva-based headquartered SGS has more than 97,000 employees and operates a network of 2,600-plus offices and laboratories around the world.
SGS CEO Frankie Ng said: “In a world of increasing trade and customs complexity, the acquisition of i2i is aligned with the strategy of our governments & institutions division to act as a facilitator of global trade compliance, and as a partner of choice for digital solutions.
“This will be an ideal complement to our services portfolio for the trade community, in the UK and beyond.”
Certificates of origin are documents used by businesses trading internationally for customs purposes to identify the origin of the goods that are being exported.
Last year i2i Infinity helped process the first European Certificate of Origin using Blockchain technology – potentially giving the West of England a head start in a global market expected to be worth $20bn within six years.
The request was submitted by South Gloucestershire global engineering group Renishaw to Business West – the region’s largest business organisation which also runs Bath Chamber of Commerce – working with i2i Infinity.
It was the first Certificate of Origin to be added to a Blockchain outside of South East Asia. Financial details of SGS’ acquisition of i2i Infinity have not been disclosed.
