Kaplan, Inc., the global education services company and largest subsidiary of Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC), announced the acquisition of Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI), an independent publisher of professional licensing exam review materials and recognized leader in engineering, surveying, architecture, and interior design licensure exam review.

Terms of the transaction, which closed today, were not released.

PPI, the market leader in engineering and design exam review, delivers courses and produces print and online materials to prepare students for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and various Professional Engineering (PE) exams in fields such as chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and structural engineering. Its expansive library contains over 250 engineering, architecture and design products. The company, founded by Michael Lindeburg in 1975, has helped train more than four million engineers since its inception and has over 26,000 active customers.

“PPI represents an important extension to our product portfolio,” said Dr. Andrew Temte, President of Kaplan Professional. “Adding engineering education at PPI’s scale fits nicely with our suite of professional exam and licensing preparation products in the fields of accounting, insurance, securities, real estate, financial planning, and information technology.”

“More importantly, we will be able to extend our strategic vision of helping to build the workforce of the future to the engineering sector,” said Dr. Temte. “PPI’s current product set and customer base represents a natural place to begin blending technical engineering training with targeted diagnostics and behavioral training to ensure engineering skills remain relevant in the rapidly changing work environment of the future.”

The combination of PPI with Kaplan Professional (KP) is expected to benefit from Kaplan’s existing global footprint, its online delivery capabilities and its extensive business, university and consumer relationships.

Under Kaplan’s management, PPI CEO Patty Steinhardt will continue to lead its operations and the company will remain in Belmont, CA.

Kaplan Professional

Kaplan is a leading international provider of training and education services operating in more than 30 countries and working with over 10,000 corporations and businesses globally. Kaplan Professional helps professionals obtain and maintain in-demand certifications, licenses and designations that enable them to advance and succeed in their careers. Through live and online instruction, Kaplan Professional provides test preparation, licensing, continuing education, and professional development programs to businesses and individuals in the accounting, engineering, insurance, securities, real estate, financial planning, and information technology industries.

Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI) is the leader in engineering, architecture, and design licensure exam review, as well as a destination for the latest exam news and guidance. Since 1975, PPI has helped over four million engineering, architecture, and design professionals achieve their licensure goals by preparing them for their exams. PPI’s mission is simple: we want exam candidates to pass their exams the first time. PPI works tirelessly to deliver the highest quality, most up-to-date exam review materials available—in both print and digital formats that suit every candidate’s needs.

PPI’s time-tested review materials are used by prep-course firms, study groups, and individuals around the world. Its founder, Michael R. Lindeburg, PE, published the original Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam that remains the standard for Civil PE exam preparation today, as well as the “must have” reference for global engineering practices. Mr. Lindeburg and PPI have written and/or published over 250 engineering, architecture, and design textbooks that are available in print, digital and eLearning formats.