The laboratory operated by Element Materials Technology in Huntington Beach, California is substantially increasing its aerospace testing capacity by expanding its laboratory facilities by 70 percent and adding a third shift to operations.
With demand from the Aerospace Primes and their supply chain partners continuing to increase, Element Huntington Beach has leased a 20,000 sq ft property adjacent to its existing 30,000 sq ft site. The new facility will enable the laboratory to further grow its stress rupture and creep testing departments and will house over 300 test frames, more than double its current number. There are also plans for the new building to have its own dedicated machine shop constructed in order to improve efficiency.
Huntington Beach has also launched a third shift on weekdays and now offers services 24 hours a day, five days a week, with an additional shift on both Saturday and Sunday.
Colin Speedie, VP, U.S. Operations at Element, says: “The aerospace market is extremely buoyant at the moment, and we are anticipating it will strengthen yet further in 2014. In response to this, we have moved quickly to offer a 24 hour laboratory service, which has major implications for clients, who will see lead times cut and unprecedented delivery rates. We have been delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response to this move, and are already seeking to double the size of the third shift in 2014.
“This initiative and the expansion of the laboratory demonstrate how we are investing alongside key aerospace clients in order to offer them the materials testing capacity and operational excellence they require. Huntington Beach is the latest example of our customer-led approach to investment.”