Bodycote International opens testing facility in Singapore

Thermal processing and testing company Bodycote International has opened the Materials Technology Centre, featuring the company's largest integrated metallurgical services centre in Asia.

At 30,000 sq ft, the new facility will offer capabilities like thermal spray, heat treatment and testing services as well a serve as the UK-based company's regional headquarters.

Bodycote said it expects clients to hail primarily from the oil and gas sector, but hopes to attract interest from the aerospace and other high technology engineering-related companies. Its laboratory will be equipped with professionally qualified materials, welding and corrosion engineers and will offer its material testing service to markets in the region including Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Officiating the opening ceremony, assistant MD of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said: "We are honoured that Bodycote has chosen Singapore as its regional headquarters and the location for its first operations in Southeast Asia. This will further strengthen Singapore's value proposition for manufacturing in high value industries such as oil and gas, aerospace and automotive."

The company currently employs about 25 people but expects the number to double within the next 12-18 months.