Perkins Engine Company Limited invested £190 million to build a state-of-the-art testing center at its headquarters in Peterborough, UK, to support the development of existing and future products. Over the past three years, Perkins' Global Engine Development center (GED) has installed 12 brand-new validation test benches and one rotating test bench, and has upgraded five other test benches. Thanks to these facilities, Perkins' latest development of Stage 4 emission standard engines has passed the most rigorous validation tests. This project is another major investment initiative following Perkins' world-class crankshaft machining center in Peterborough, which was commissioned in November 2009. Perkins President Gwenne Henricks said, "When we announced this upgrade project three years ago, it was undoubtedly significant news. Today, this fully upgraded facility has become a reality with far-reaching impact." "I believe its far-reaching impact lies in several reasons: first, it reflects the production quality and capability of Perkins' headquarters factory; it provides better career development prospects for our employees; it will offer customers higher-quality engines with more time- and energy-efficient processes; most importantly, it sends a strong message that Perkins always stands at the forefront of engine design, manufacturing processes, and product delivery management." GED has nearly 50 test benches and other specialized rigs capable of performing various complex validation tests, including performance and emissions, mechanical development, durability, and transient development.

　　GED General Manager Robin Woodward said, "Our vision is to establish a highly flexible testing center that can support our long-term needs. These new test benches greatly enhance our capabilities and allow us to fully develop and test the engines we manufacture, ensuring they truly meet customer and specific application requirements."

　　By investing in building advanced facilities rather than outsourcing most testing procedures to other companies, Perkins will be better able to control the timing of product market launches, thereby serving the entire customer base more effectively.

　　Woodward added, "This testing center will provide our customers with the best quality assurance. The new test benches help us replicate the operation methods of customers' mechanical products, thereby shortening field testing time. In other words, our testing speed will be faster than before. Our test benches can also operate 24 hours a day with higher efficiency, allowing customers to receive supplies faster, and all delivered engines are verified to fully meet their specific requirements."

　　In addition to benefiting customers, the new test benches also help Perkins achieve an important business goal: reducing environmental impact.

　　"The new testing center also helps us achieve a long-term goal: reducing our carbon footprint," said Henricks. "Currently, three test benches here can regenerate power and feed electricity back to the substation, reducing our reliance on the main power grid. This is expected to save 500 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to 272 tons of carbon dioxide. This is an encouraging start, and as more test benches adopt regenerative technology, it will help further save energy."

　　Speaking about Perkins' latest investment in manufacturing processes, UK Minister of State for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk said, "An important part of the government's development plan is to make the UK the best place for business investment in Europe. I am pleased that Perkins Engine Company Limited has invested £190 million to build advanced testing facilities in Peterborough. This is another great proof of the strong confidence businesses have in UK manufacturing."