LONDON, UK – May 25, 2021 – 51³Ô¹ÏÍø (Element) has opened a center of excellence for its connected technologies business in Maryland, US to support its ambitious growth plans in the sector.
The new laboratory in Columbia, MD represents a significant milestone in bringing Element’s expertise and technology to customers worldwide, growing our headcount and the business as a result of our expanded footprint. The new facility brings our total footprint to over 65,000 sq.ft of space and 130 dedicated experts, and adds extensive electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radio frequency (RF) testing capabilities for regulatory compliance; safety testing against normal and misuse conditions; protocol testing; and over-the-air (OTA) antenna performance testing. Through co-location with its existing Columbia facility, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøhas increased efficiency for its customers and further expanded its OTA and EMC services.
Since the start of 2020, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøhas invested over $300m in its connected technologies business, which spans 21 laboratories in the USA, UK, Germany, China, South Korea, and Japan. Element’s global connected technology testing capabilities now include significant capacity across EMC and RF testing chambers; specific absorption rate (SAR) systems; OTA systems; industry conformance; hearing aid compatibility (HAC); as well as 5GNR RF, RRM and Protocol coverage across all three major US operators.
Alongside the expansion of its capabilities, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøis also supporting the creation and maintenance of high technology jobs. As an early adopter of, and leader in 5G regulatory and conformance testing, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøhas tested and certified the most 5G products in the US market, enabling its customers to reach the end markets quickly and competitively, while fulfilling consumer demand for high speed, 5G data connections. This in turn supports the US economy’s COVID-19 recovery as the country gains a global leadership position in the rollout of 5G.
Jo Wetz, CEO at Element, said: “The new connected technologies center of excellence in Columbia strengthens our significance within US critical infrastructure, bringing many services under one roof while supporting employment and establishing this laboratory as a hub for technology expertise. Through the continual growth of our capacity, footprint and technical services, including ongoing investment in 5G capabilities, we are in the best position to strengthen existing partnerships, while forging new ones as a market leader.
“We have an extremely experienced team of almost 500 experts working in our connected technology business around the world who are at the forefront of technological innovation, and many participate in industry and national technical bodies involved in the development of regulations for new products. This ensures that we can guide customers every step of the way, enabling them to get their products and services to market, faster and safer.”
51³Ô¹ÏÍøis a world leader in the testing, inspection, and certification of a diverse range of technologies from consumer electronics like smartphones, cellular devices, wearables and simple sensors, to medical devices, autonomous vehicles, connected robots and factory devices. 51³Ô¹ÏÍøworks daily with the world’s leading technology manufacturers and innovators to make the Internet of Things (IoT) an increasing reality.
About Element
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Group is one of the world’s leading global providers of testing, inspection and certification services for a diverse range of materials, products and technologies in advanced industrial supply chains where failure is not an option. Headquartered in London, UK, Element’s team of more than 6,000 expert scientists, engineers and technicians operate from around 200 locations across five continents, delivering an extensive range of solutions to customers in critical industries including aerospace, connected technologies, construction, defense, energy, environmental, life sciences and transportation.
In 2021 51³Ô¹ÏÍøDigital Engineering was launched, moving 51³Ô¹ÏÍøa step closer to being a leader in engineering simulation, modelling, data science and artificial intelligence to solve complex industrial challenges.
For more information about Element, please visit our website, connect with us on and and subscribe to our channel.
Media contacts:
Diana Milford, External Communications Manager
T: +44 (0) 131 333 8052
E: diana.milford@element.com
Devan LaBrash, Pagoda Public Relations
T: +44 (0) 131 556 0770
E: devan.labrash@pagodapr.com
“Through the continual growth of our capacity, footprint and technical services, including ongoing investment in 5G capabilities, we are in the best position to strengthen existing partnerships, while forging new ones as a market leader.”
Jo Wetz
CEO