Exova (www.exova.com), the global testing, calibration and advisory services provider, has opened a new 50,000ft² facility in Wednesbury.

The new testing site serves the needs of national and international customers in the automotive, door, window and hardware industries, and it represents a further significant long-term commitment to the provision of technically demanding testing services from the UK.

The facility, which will conduct more than 10,000 tests annually, was opened by Paul Forrest (director of the West Midlands Economic Forum) and Ian El-Mokadem (CEO of Exova).

The multi-million-pound investment sees Exova expand both its capabilities and its capacity in the provision of testing services for the “built environment and the automotive sector”.

Mr El-Mokadem said: “This is an important milestone in the growth of our automotive and building-products testing businesses, which work for some of the world’s leading household names.

“Bringing these testing services together, close to our key customers, will enable us to increase efficiency, cut turn-round times and give greater access to Exova’s global expertise.”

Mr Forrest added: “It is centres such as this that enable the region to drive forward as a key supplier at the apex of global value-added supply chains.

“Exova’s presence is a significant addition to the already broad range of attributes that the West Midlands possesses, as one of the leading global technology clusters.”

The site will initially employ 32 people, but this number is expected to rise in the first two years, as Exova’s development plans are realised. It will offer testing to British, European, international and OEM standards.