Stork Materials Technology Acquires Sheffield Testing Laboratories Ltd
Stork Materials Technology is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sheffield Testing Laboratories, Ltd. (STL) of Sheffield, England.

Originally named the Sheffield Testing & Experimenting Works, the laboratory’s early work in the 1890s consisted of testing for iron, metal, steel, and steel and hemp ropes. During the first and second World Wars, the company’s capabilities expanded to include testing of aircraft, railroads, bridges, valves, and construction materials.

In 1984, force calibration and dimensional metrology were added to the portfolio of services, and subsequently corrosion testing was offered to clients, primarily supporting oil and petroleum industries in the North Sea region. The laboratory currently provides materials testing, mechanical testing, corrosion testing, and calibration services to industries throughout the U.K. and Europe.

Charles Noall, Chief Executive Officer for Stork Materials Technology commented, "We are pleased to welcome the excellent staff and resources of Sheffield Testing Laboratories. STL is one of the United Kingdom’s leading independent testing laboratories with an illustrious 127-year history. The addition of STL to our network creates another independent laboratory in the Stork Materials Technology Group and further expands our footprint in the United Kingdom, following the acquisition earlier this year of Materials Engineering Ltd (MEL) of Aberdeen, Scotland."

STL will continue to operate from their current facility in Sheffield under the leadership of Dr John Oldfield and David Tame.

Transfer of ownership to Stork Materials Technology (www.storksmt.com) will be effective October 1, 2007. Questions about this acquisition may be directed to Revor Vos, Manager of Strategy and Operations (revor.vos@stork.com).