AMSTERDAM – April 28, 2014 – Element Materials Technology, the largest independent materials testing company in the US, has opened the doors to a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Plymouth, MI. The company’s 42nd location worldwide, the new laboratory will primarily serve the automotive industry, providing materials testing, component testing and product qualification testing for Element’s clients in the Transportation and Industrials market, which include globally-recognized automotive  manufacturers and their primary supplier base.  

The laboratory will offer an extensive range of services encompassing environmental, vibration and interior testing, including component durability and airbag deployment, which is being introduced for the first time across the Element platform.

In addition to investing a substantial sum in its new 12,000 ft2 laboratory, Element has acquired specialist equipment for the new facility, including eight large environmental chambers, with capacity ranging up to 3,000 cubic ft. These will operate alongside two vibration systems, an airbag deployment system and several component durability stands.

Chris LaMothe, Element’s EVP Transportation and Industrials, said: “Establishing a presence in Plymouth expands our capacity for Transportation testing and is a critical step in cementing our partnership with some of the region’s leading automotive brands. The investment has been led by the needs of key partners and allows us to be in close proximity to them whilst still leveraging the full technical capabilities of our flagship testing facility in Warren, and enabling our clients’ representatives to conduct on-site visits, witness testing and reduce lead times for tests.”

Experts from the new laboratory will also be attending this year’s ANTEC show with colleagues from Element Warren, MI, and Element New Berlin, WI. The largest conference in the US dedicated specifically to plastics, ANTEC will take place from April 28 — 30 in Las Vegas, NV.


About Element: 

Element is a global network of laboratories with experts specializing in materials testing, product qualification testing and failure analysis for the Aerospace, Oil and Gas and the Transportation and Industrial sectors. Their team of 1,450 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 42 facilities located throughout the U.S. and Europe. For complete Accreditations & Approvals and more information, please visit www.element.com.


Media Contact: 

Alison Dwyer or Benjamin Pfeffer, Smith & Smith PR Ltd., tel: +44 161 927 9487, e-mail: element@smithandsmithpr.co.uk.

“Establishing a presence in Plymouth expands our capacity for Transportation testing and is a critical step in cementing our partnership with some of the region’s leading automotive brands.”

Chris LaMothe

EVP, Transportation & Industrials