LONDON, UK – May 13, 2016 – ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s newly expanded and upgraded Cincinnati, OH location, has achieved a result of zero noncompliance findings from its most recent A2LA ISO:17025 audit demonstrating the laboratory’s position as one of the leading materials testing and product qualification testing (PQT) service facilities in the world.
The success comes following the completion earlier this year of a major project to relocate, upgrade and significantly expand operations at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati. The process took 18 months to complete, involving the relocation of 120 Engaged Experts and over 250 testing machines to a state-of-the-art site, and the integration of the former Accutek and MAR-TEST laboratories.
Rick Sluiters, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s Executive Vice President, Aerospace, comments: “To deliver the result of zero noncompliance findings following such a major project is a remarkable achievement. The expansion and upgrade of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati is one of the largest projects of its kind for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ to date and it was completed without disruption to our clients. The subsequent achievement of zero noncompliance findings demonstrates our commitment to operational excellence, with particular emphasis on 5S and LEAN methodologies, to deliver world-leading performance.
“We made significant investment at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati to support the existing and future testing requirements of our key clients. Passing the bi-annual audit with such distinction validates our investment strategy in leading-edge technology, as well as the technical and operational capability of the Cincinnati team.”
The A2LA audit was completed ahead of schedule and significantly expands the scope of accreditation for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati, one of the largest independent materials testing and product qualification testing (PQT) service facilities in the US. Earlier in 2016, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati completed a program of upgrades and expansion following capital investment at the 60,000 sq ft facility, which houses the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Centers of Technical Excellence in Aerospace Forging, Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) and Medical Device Testing. The expansion to the scope of accreditation includes the addition of 21 new test methods in the Medical Device Testing laboratory.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati delivers a range of Aerospace sector testing services, including CMC testing supporting the development of the next generation of aero engines, and Low-Cycle Fatigue (LCF) testing, which tests Aerospace forgings for airframers and their supply chain partners. The new expansion to the scope of accreditation in Medical Device Testing includes services in accelerated aging testing capabilities and mechanical testing for physiological studies for new spine, knee and hip wear simulator evaluations.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati is also Nadcap accredited, as well as having an impressive range of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approvals, including GE Aviation, Snecma, MTU, Honeywell, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Rolls-Royce (Germany, UK and US), Pratt & Whitney and Bell Helicopter.
About ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½:
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is a company with a global presence; its laboratories are staffed by experts specializing in materials testing, product qualification testing and failure analysis for the Aerospace, Oil & Gas and Transportation and Industrials sectors. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s team of over 1,800 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 53 laboratories located throughout the U.S. and Europe. For a complete list of Accreditations & Approvals and more information, please visit www.element.com.
Media Contact:
Alison Dwyer or Matthew Judge, Smith & Smith PR Ltd., tel: +44 161 927 9487, e-mail: element@smithandsmithpr.co.uk
“The expansion and upgrade of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Cincinnati is one of the largest projects of its kind for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ to date and it was completed without disruption to our clients.”
Rick Sluiters
EVP, AEROSPACE