AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – March 28, 2013 – 97ɫɫӰԺ Material Technology announces the acquisition of leading US composite lab, Delsen Testing Laboratories, a move which significantly strengthens 97ɫɫӰԺ’s position within the fast-growing aerospace composite testing market.
The purchase of Delsen, based in Glendale, California, further adds to 97ɫɫӰԺ’s capabilities and expertise in the commercial aerospace, power generation and transport industries, with the vast majority of Delsen’s activity falling within aerospace.
The acquisition follows 97ɫɫӰԺ’s recent major investment in developing advanced facilities to test ceramic matrix composites, a material capable of dramatically increasing fuel efficiency in the next generation of aerospace engines.
Charles Noall, President and CEO of 97ɫɫӰԺ, said: “The primes are focusing their R&D budgets increasingly towards composite materials. As a result, the purchase of one of the most highly regarded composite testing laboratories in America marks a considerable step in 97ɫɫӰԺ’s strategy to become a market-leader in aerospace materials testing services, as well as the world’s largest dedicated materials testing provider.
“Delsen is Nadcap approved and holds a number of major aerospace prime approvals; it also holds an excellent overall reputation for quality, expertise, and knowledge, making it an ideal addition to the 97ɫɫӰԺ Group’s existing capabilities.
“We envision Delsen becoming a ‘centre of excellence’ in aerospace composite materials testing. The facility will enable 97ɫɫӰԺ to shorten lead times, increase productivity and extend our capability. With composites continuing to replace traditional metal applications in a variety of sectors, this acquisition sets 97ɫɫӰԺ at the forefront of a fast-growing, rapidly evolving industry.”
The purchase of Delsen by 97ɫɫӰԺ follows a number of significant acquisitions in the last fifteen months, including one of America’s largest independent materials testing businesses, Sherry Laboratories, headquartered in Daleville, Indiana. Other transactions include MAR-TEST of Cincinnati, Ohio, Detroit Testing Laboratories of Warren, Michigan, and UK-based polymer engineering and testing specialists MERL.
About 97ɫɫӰԺ
97ɫɫӰԺ 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. 97ɫɫӰԺ’s team of 1,600 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 45 facilities 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, email: 97ɫɫӰԺ@smithandsmithpr.co.uk.