Testing Laboratories

The US testing laboratories industry includes about 5,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $12 billion. Major companies include National Technical Systems, Wyle Laboratories, Underwriters Laboratories, and the US operations of Bureau Veritas and SGS. The industry is fragmented: the top 50 companies account for about 35 percent of industry revenue.

Testing labs provide a variety of engineering, quality control, and certification services by performing physical and chemical tests on products and processes. Companies perform these tests either in a lab or at the customer’s site. The industry doesn't include medical or pharmaceutical testing.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven largely by industry and government spending on R&D to improve the efficiency of operations and develop new products and services. The profitability of individual companies depends on technical expertise and the ability to accurately predict project costs. Large labs have advantages in providing a larger breadth of service through multiple locations; some have strategic partnerships with major corporations. Small labs compete effectively by specializing in particular types of service. The industry is labor-intensive: average revenue per worker is about $100,000.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major testing lab services include chemical, nondestructive, mechanical, and electrical testing. Other services include calibration testing, thermal testing, and assaying.

Testing laboratories have facilities or warehouses specifically constructed to perform tests, simulating various environments according to temperature, altitude, humidity, sunshine, dust, or explosive atmosphere. Items tested include high-technology products, electrical components, hazardous materials, ...