MAXTECH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management Consulting in High-Technology Market Research

Nondestructive Testing Services Market Growing

Valley Forge, PA -- The combined U.S. and Canadian Market for Nondestructive Testing Services reached $719 million in 1997 and is expected to grow to over $1 billion by 2002 according to a major new analysis of NDT service markets by Maxtech International.

However, the need for NDT services over the next five years is expected to vary by industry. The severe cutbacks in defense spending of the early 1990s have now stabilized and several new military programs, such as the Air Force's next-generation F-22 fighter, are expected to fuel growth. Commercial aerospace is booming, despite some recent weakness due to loss of orders from Southeast Asia. Oil and gas are benefiting from new technologies that allow more accurate pinpointing of new wells. Several major new pipelines are being planned for the delivery of natural gas from Canada to the U.S. The deregulation of the utility industry in the U.S. is causing major new changes.

In addition the NDT service industry is undergoing a period of consolidation as a handful of large service companies acquire medium-sized and smaller firms.

Providers of NDT Services include 1) Independent Commercial Testing Labs., 2) Captive NDT Service Groups (usually operating within large multinational companies), 3) Engineering Companies Providing NDT Services, 4) NDT Training Organizations and 5) NDT Certifying and Auditing Bodies. In addition, services are provided by many manufacturers and distributors of equipment.

NDT test methods include x-ray and gamma ray radiography, radioscopy, computed tomography, computed radiography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing (and other electromagnetic methods), acoustic emission, magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing, visual testing and infrared thermography

Maxtech International's analysis of Nondestructive Testing Services Markets is available in a 190 page report that provides market sizes and segmentation both by industry and type of NDT method. Market shares for the 25 largest service companies in the U.S. and the top 6 Canadian companies are given. The report also includes a survey of over 3000 users of NDT services and their spending projections.


Contact: Dr. G. Fulop
Maxtech International, Inc.
1500 Waterford Lane
P.O. Box 615
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0615
610-935-8580 FAX 610-935-3915
E-mail: NDT@maxtech-intl.com
Homepage: http://www.maxtech-intl.com