Element Materials Technology
Company Name:
Element Materials Technology
Where are you based?
Element has locations all over the world performing testing for thousands of customers from many different sectors and industries. Our automotive laboratory in Wednesbury, West Midlands, is located at the heart of the UK’s automotive industry.
What do you do?
Element Materials Technology Wednesbury Ltd is a UKAS-accredited automotive test facility specialising in testing interior and exterior trim, parts & components for passenger cars, commercial and off-highway vehicles, as well as rail applications. We perform various types of testing for vehicle OEMs, as well as the supply chain on many different parts from very small components to larger interior and exterior parts and full vehicle testing. The type of testing we perform within the automotive lab in Wednesbury includes:
- Environmental testing
- Accelerated weather testing
- Corrosion testing
- Flammability
- Functionality and durability testing
- Dimensional stability (photogrammetry)
- Vibration and mechanical shock
- Scratch, mar, abrasion and wear
- Stonechip / Gravelometer
- Chemical and fluid resistance
- Soiling and cleanability
- Impact testing
- High pressure wash and carwash brush testing
- Tensile testing
- Colour, greyscale and gloss measurement
What markets are you in?
Element Wednesbury’s automotive laboratory performs design and production validation testing, as well in-production testing for the automotive sector, as well as the rail and marine industries. By the nature of some of the testing we perform and the equipment we have, we also perform testing for the construction industry as well the energy sector, aerospace and leisure sectors.
We are not restricted to any one industry or sector, so if we have the capability, expertise and capacity to perform a test that our customers require then this need can be met.
What can you offer to NAA members?
As one of the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification experts, Element is trusted by organisations in many different sectors to test and advise on the safety, quality and performance of their products and operations. We operate almost 200 laboratories and offices and employ over 6000 people throughout Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa.
Our capabilities help to extend asset life bringing predictability to applications, and shorten the time to market for customers’ products, processes and materials. With over 90 years’ experience, we specialise in testing across sectors ranging from Automotive, Fire & Building Products, Aerospace, Oil & Gas and Industrials; Infrastructure & Environment and Health Sciences.
Element Wednesbury’s UKAS scope means we are accredited to perform many different testing standards within the automotive industry. Furthermore, due to our longevity working within the sector and the experience and expertise we have gained, we have the capability to assist our customers and NAA members advising on suitable test standards and methods to fulfil their requirements.
Not everyone fully understands testing and/or may not have access to relevant or up-to-date test standards. Element can help here, too; by understanding our customers’ needs we can help develop a suitable test plan for their products and advise on sample requirements needed to run testing.
How would you like to work with members?
Once government guidelines allow – be it in the latter stages of 2020, or into 2021 – we will be hosting an open day at Element Wednesbury, exclusively for NAA members. The event will include a tour of the laboratory, demonstrations and the opportunity to ask our engaged experts any technical questions members may have.
We have already performed testing for several NAA members and are very keen to understand more about members’ businesses and what testing requirements they have and the challenges these may bring.
What is your unique offer?
Alongside our automotive laboratory, Element Wednesbury also houses our Doors & Windows and Hardware laboratories. We perform security, performance and durability testing for hardware and doors and windows manufacturers.
The testing we offer these industries complements perfectly some of the testing we undertake for automotive customers, such as accelerated weather, corrosion and cycling and durability.
We look forward to hearing from and being of service to fellow NAA members going forward in 2020 and beyond and welcoming interested members to our open day as soon as this is possible.
Contact Details:
Contact: James Bulmer, Automotive Business Development Manager
Tel: 07900 223350 / 0121 506 7500
E-mail: james.bulmer@element.com
Website: www.element.com/automotive
