Exova nets deal with 5-year Austria contract

Stuart Abbs said investment had helped Exova win the deal. Picture: Contributed

Exova – which has worked with Böhler for more than a decade – said the latest deal will see it provide material testing programmes on aerospace alloy components for use in aircraft engines and airframes.

The testing will be carried out at Exova’s aerospace laboratory in Plzen, about 60 miles west of Prague in the Czech Republic, and will include a range of specialist metallurgical and mechanical testing services.

Stuart Abbs, European director of aerospace for Exova, said the contract underlined the company’s position as a leading provider of technical services to the aerospace sector.

He said: “We have made significant investment in the capabilities and capacity of our Plzen facility ensuring we can meet the current and future needs of Böhler and the global aerospace supply chain.”

Florian Humer, strategic procurement external services manager for Böhler, said: “The aerospace sector demands the highest quality and technical standards and Exova has proven itself capable of meeting our rigorous testing demands.

“Extending our relationship supports our work to advance the development and application of specialist aerospace alloys. Exova is one of the world’s leading laboratory testing groups, trusted by organisations to test and advise on the safety, quality and performance of their products and operations.”

Exova, led by chief executive Ian El-Mokadem, operates 118 permanent facilities in 23 countries and employs more than 3,800 people throughout Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia/Asia-Pacific.

In aerospace, Exova operates a network of 13 laboratories and specialises in the provision of testing programmes for aerospace composites, alloys and ceramics. Böhler is one of the leading manufacturers of high quality parts for aerospace applications, power generation and other high-tech industries.

The agreement is the latest in a string of deals announced by Exova recently.

Earlier this month it acquired Oldham-based Environmental Evaluation, which provides asbestos testing and inspection.

Exova, which floated on the stock market last year, also recently announced three major contracts to conduct materials testing and fire safety engineering for the new Doha Metro in Qatar. Worth more than £3.7 million, the contracts will see Exova deliver a programme of materials testing for key infrastructure, as well as specialist fire strategy and consultancy.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SCOTSMAN’S BUSINESS BRIEFING

• Get the latest business headlines from a variety of news sources emailed to your inbox each morning