Element has opened a new 20,700-square-foot testing laboratory in Sheffield, UK. The new center of excellence for non-destructive testing and inspection has been developed in this region, which has seen major investment in Aerospace manufacturing, in response to its science and innovation strategy.

Following the deployment of new technology, the facility, which is strategically located close to Sheffield's successful Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), will give customers within the aerospace and oil & gas industries the benefit of new equipment, expertise and technical support all within one site. The facility complements existing Magna Way laboratory which offers a well-equipped machine shop with up to date CNC machining facilities, and sample heat treatment capabilities, mechanical, chemical analysis, metallurgical testing and force calibration services.

Element has invested £250k in equipment for immersion ultrasonic testing (IUT), as well as dye penetrant inspection, eddy current inspection, magnetic particle inspection and on-site positive material identification. In preparation for the opening of the laboratory, the company, in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield, has trained five new engineering support and machinist apprentices. The apprentices will work closely with the skilled on-site technical team and will all be based in the new facility.

The center of excellence was opened by President & Chief Executive of Element, Charles Noall, who marked the occasion by unveiling a plaque and welcoming employees and visitors to the new state-of-the-art laboratory.

Charles Noall comments: "I am delighted to open this new facility which is part of the new industrial revolution within the Sheffield region. It greatly expands the range of equipment and skills we have to offer customers in the aerospace and oil & gas sectors. This superb site complements our existing NDT capabilities across Europe and North America and enables our highly experienced team to deliver a first-class experience for our customers using the latest testing techniques and equipment."

To mark the opening, Element employees across all the company's Sheffield locations are raising £5,000 for the local Bluebell Wood children's charity with the company matching the money raised by the team through step targets and other fundraising.