Element — a world leader in testing, inspection, certification and calibration services — opened a new 20,700ft² testing laboratory in Sheffield earlier this month.

This centre of excellence for non-destructive testing and inspection has been developed in response to the major investment in aerospace manu-facturing in the Sheffield region.

Located close to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), it will give customers in the aerospace and oil and gas industries access to new equipment, expertise and technical support — all under one roof.

It complements the company’s Magna Way laboratory in Rotherham, which has a well-equipped machine shop and sample heat treatment capabilities, plus mechanical and chemical analysis, metallurgical testing and force calibration services.

Element (www.element.com) has invested £250,000 in equipment for immersion ultrasonic testing, 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 trained five new engineering support and machinist apprentices. They will work closely with the skilled on-site technical team.

The centre of excellence was opened by Element chief executive Charles Noall, who unveiled a plaque and said: “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 and gas sectors.

"It will enable our highly experienced team to deliver a first-class experience for our customers, using the latest techniques and equipment.”