GRC Acquires Aon Unit, Cements Lead in Independent Property Risk Market

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. – January 06, 2026 – Global Risk Consultants Corp. (GRC), a prominent player in independent property risk engineering and a subsidiary of the German technical services giant TÜV SÜD, has finalized its acquisition of Aon’s U.S. Field Services business. The move, which transfers a team of 20 specialized engineers to GRC, is more than a simple corporate transaction; it represents a significant strategic maneuver in a market grappling with escalating operational risks and an intense demand for unbiased, data-driven risk analysis.

This acquisition significantly expands GRC’s technical workforce and service capacity at a critical juncture. As businesses face a confluence of threats from climate change, supply chain volatility, and complex technological dependencies, the need for risk assessments untethered from insurance underwriting has surged. GRC's move to absorb the Aon unit directly addresses this market shift, reinforcing its position as a leader in unbundled loss control services.

A Market Demanding Independence

The landscape of property risk is undergoing a fundamental transformation. A rising tide of severe weather events and natural disasters has pushed insurance premiums to new heights, while simultaneously leading some carriers to withdraw from high-risk regions altogether. Compounding this issue, persistent inflation in construction materials and labor has driven up replacement costs, leaving many businesses dangerously underinsured. Their policy limits, once considered adequate, may no longer cover the true cost of rebuilding after a major loss.

In response, insurers are demanding sharper, more granular risk data, leveraging advanced analytics and AI to price policies with greater precision. This has created a critical need for property owners to have their own objective, expert-led assessments. The model of “unbundled” risk engineering, which GRC pioneered, separates the risk assessment process from the insurance transaction. This allows companies to own their risk data, gain a holistic view of their vulnerabilities, and enter insurance negotiations from a position of strength. By understanding their risk profile independently, they can more effectively shop for appropriate coverage and negotiate premiums with confidence.

The acquisition of Aon's U.S. Field Services team is a direct investment in this value proposition. It enhances GRC’s ability to provide the independent, high-quality insights that clients now require to navigate this challenging environment.

Strategic Realignment for Industry Giants

For Aon, a global professional services firm, the divestment of its U.S. Field Services unit aligns with a broader corporate strategy focused on portfolio optimization. The company has been actively refining its operations under its “Aon United” plan, which prioritizes core, high-growth areas in Risk Capital and Human Capital. The sale of what is considered a non-core asset allows Aon to sharpen its focus and redeploy capital toward its primary business lines, a move consistent with recent divestitures in other sectors.

For GRC, the acquisition is a calculated step to consolidate market leadership and enhance operational capability. The addition of 20 U.S.-based engineers specializing in pre-loss property risk assessments provides an immediate and substantial boost to its technical bench. This expansion is not just about scale, but also about expertise and established relationships.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Aon U.S. Field Services team and their clients to Global Risk Consultants,” said Greg Bates, President & CEO of Global Risk Consultants, in a statement. “They bring long-standing client relationships and strengthen our position as the leading independent provider of property risk engineering. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and will continue to evaluate future investments that expand our capabilities and deepen the value we provide.”

Bolstering a Global Vision at TÜV SÜD

The acquisition is not an isolated event but a key component of the larger strategic vision of GRC’s parent company, TÜV SÜD. Headquartered in Munich, TÜV SÜD is a global behemoth in quality, safety, and sustainability solutions, with over 30,000 experts worldwide. The firm has been actively pursuing a growth strategy centered on digitalization, sustainability, and the expansion of its core technical services through targeted acquisitions.

In recent years, TÜV SÜD has made several strategic purchases to strengthen its portfolio. These include the acquisition of Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) and Green Building Education Systems (GBES) in the U.S. to bolster its sustainable building services, the purchase of the Swedish Carspect Group to expand its vehicle inspection footprint in Scandinavia, and investments to solidify its leadership in battery technology testing. The move by GRC fits seamlessly into this pattern of acquiring specialized expertise to meet evolving client needs.

Jan DeLeon, CEO of TÜV SÜD Americas, highlighted this strategic alignment. “This acquisition strengthens TÜV SÜD by deepening our technical bench in one of the most critical areas facing our clients today—property risk and loss prevention,” DeLeon stated. “The move also reinforces our role as a trusted partner in enabling safety, reliability, and sustainable growth.”

By integrating the Aon team, GRC and TÜV SÜD not only gain market share but also enhance their ability to deliver on their core mission. The added engineering capacity improves scheduling flexibility and ensures that a growing client base can be supported without sacrificing service quality. This strategic consolidation positions GRC not just as a service provider, but as a crucial partner for businesses navigating the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.