Connecting Manufacturing Expertise Through Accredited Metals Testing

Sheffield Assay Office (SAO) hosted a British Manufacturing Consortium (BMC) meeting on 22 January, welcoming 20 delegates from across a wide range of manufacturing sectors. While SAO was not part of the formal meeting agenda, hosting the event — with a focus on our metals testing laboratory — provided a valuable opportunity to engage with manufacturers and demonstrate the role of high-quality analytical testing in supporting quality, compliance, and performance.

Hosting BMC members on site allowed delegates to see our analytical services in action, including laboratory workflows, instrumentation, and quality systems. First-hand exposure to our facilities, UKAS-accredited methods, and experienced technical team helps build confidence in the reliability, accuracy, and consistency of our results — key considerations for manufacturers operating in regulated and technically demanding environments.

Sheffield Assay Office Analytical Services brings together over 250 years of analytical heritage with more than 40 years of continuous UKAS accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025). Our laboratories provide independent testing and analysis to support manufacturers across the full materials lifecycle, from raw material verification through to quality control, validation, and compliance.

Our metals and alloys testing services include elemental and chemical composition analysis tailored to customer requirements, supporting materials such as steels, ferroalloys, titanium, aluminium, and specialist alloys. Testing supports specification verification, supplier qualification, process validation, and ongoing quality assurance, with results suitable for both technical and regulatory use.

Events such as this play an important role in generating aligned opportunities across key material areas by increasing awareness of both routine and bespoke testing services. Direct engagement with manufacturers supports greater uptake of specialist testing and validation projects, particularly where independent verification is required to manage risk or demonstrate compliance.

Hosting the BMC at SAO also reinforces our position as a trusted technical laboratory within the local manufacturing supply chain. Beyond providing analytical results, we work closely with customers to help interpret data, understand material performance, and select appropriate testing strategies. This collaborative approach positions SAO as a technical partner supporting informed decision-making and long-term manufacturing reliability.

Many manufacturers are not fully aware of the risks associated with inadequate or inappropriate materials analysis, including non-compliance, rework, or product failure. A hosted event creates a controlled environment to raise awareness of testing principles, alloy verification, regulatory expectations, and the range of analytical options available, highlighting the value of early engagement with an accredited laboratory.

Manufacturers working with steels, ferroalloys, titanium, or specialist alloys — or those reviewing suppliers, validating processes, or managing quality and compliance risk — are encouraged to engage early with SAO’s metals testing team. We offer routine and bespoke analytical services designed to reduce risk, support compliance, and provide confidence in material performance.

Contact Sheffield Assay Office Analytical Services
Email: analytical@assayoffice.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)114 231 2121
Website: www.assayoffice.co.uk/analytical-services 

The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,

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