Element Materials Technology (Element), a global provider of Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, has committed $10m (£7.95m) to support the latest technological advancements in consumer electronics, with a new connected technologies laboratory near Guildford.
The facility, named Element Surrey Hills, is a purpose-built location fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure. The 25,000 sq. ft. greenfield facility has been constructed with the support of a leading global technology manufacturer to help get their products to market faster in Europe.
Element Surrey Hills will create more capacity for essential Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), radio and wireless testing, and will introduce Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing to Element’s leading service portfolio in Europe, adding to its existing SAR offering in the USA and South Korea.
The construction and design of the laboratory was shaped by expertise from across Element. Colleagues from around Europe, the USA, and South Korea, helped to design, set up and prepare the facility in accordance with global best-in-class practices. Surrey Hills customers will have continued access to Element’s global network of experts as the company continues to promote a collaborative and equitable exchange of knowledge across its locations.
Matt Hopkinson, Executive Vice President of EMEAA at Element, said: “Consumer electronics are becoming extremely complex and they are required to meet ever changing global regulatory requirements. With this new laboratory, we can offer the best testing facilities to enable the latest technologies to come to market, be sold, and used across the world, supporting the increased rate of innovation amongst product developers. We proudly support manufacturers across the full product life-cycle, from R&D to launch.”
Element Surrey Hills is fully accredited to UKAS 17025 and most recently gained its status as a PTCRB Associate Test Lab with 2G, 4G and 5G RSE (GERAN, E-UTRA, 5G FR1), creating further support for operators and device manufacturers looking to secure interoperability between their devices and wireless networks.
Element has also partnered with local universities to offer engineering students formal training in regulation and testing, and to continue to offer opportunities for hiring, career progression and training. So far, nine local students have joined Element Surrey Hills, either on seasonal worker contracts or in full-time positions.
Element Surrey Hills joins the organization’s existing 44 connected technologies and mobility facilities in the UK, USA, Germany, China, South Korea, and Japan, and its team of over 1,200 technology experts. Element’s connected technologies and mobility services span mobile and cellular devices, consumer electronics, the internet of things (IoT), telecommunications regulatory services, medical devices, automotive, and more.
Read more of our Innovation articles here