Global testing, mechanical and materials firm Exova launched its new laboratory at the ABZ business park in Aberdeen yesterday after a multi-million pound investment.
The facility, which provides weld-testing and training services to the oil and gas industry, will become the newly-listed firm’s North Sea hub.
The purpose-built testing facility connects a network of 11 specialist laboratories for the industry in the UK, the Netherlands and Italy.
It more than doubles capacity for Exova in the Granite city.
The company initially moved into Aberdeen when it leased a weld-test facility from non-destructive testing group Applus at Wellhead industrial park in Dyce a few years ago.
Edinburgh-based Exova employs more than 3,800 people at 118 laboratories around the world.
It was formerly part of the industrial conglomerate Bodycote.
The firm launched a £550million initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange by its private equity backers, Clayton Dubilier and Rice in April.
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of energy industry body Oil and Gas UK, interrupted his participation at the Pilot Share Fair event at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre to attend the launch.
He said: “The new Exova facility underlines the vital role that testing plays in achieving the most stringent standards in safety, quality and performance.
“To have access to such a range of testing and qualification procedures on their doorstep is invaluable to companies in achieving first time right solutions and providing significant long-term cost savings.
“I thank and congratulate Exova for this important and farsighted investment in our industry.”
Exova European managing director Mike Pooley said: “Our new laboratory furthers our growth strategy and extends our provision of technically demanding services to the oil and gas sector.
“Its strategic location combined with the expertise, capabilities and capacity we can now offer will benefit our customers, not just in local and Scandinavian markets but also the rest of the world through the global supply chain.”
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