Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham opens “world-class” textile testing facility in Leigh

Inspection and certification firm Intertek has expanded in the North West after welcoming Andy Burnham MP to officially open its newly revamped base in Leigh.

Upon visiting the renovated and expanded textile flammability and chemical testing facility, the Shadow Home Secretary and MP for Leigh said he “fully supports” Intertek’s efforts to enhance its footprint and create jobs in the region.

He commented: “By creating a world-class facility in Leigh, Intertek is bringing more businesses from across the world to the North West of England, helping to support local jobs and build business.

“I am proud to open this modern new facility which maintains a link with Leigh’s past in textiles.”

The site, which Intertek said is now the biggest one-stop textile testing lab in the UK, will provide manufacturers and retailers with testing services on a number of textile products, including fashion apparel, sportswear, protective gear and children’s clothes, as well as home items such as duvets, pillows, sofa covers and curtains.

Intertek’s chief executive for the UK and Ireland, Rob van Dorp, commented: “As a FTSE 100 company headquartered in the UK, Intertek works closely with a huge range of manufacturers and retailers in the UK to provide high quality assurance, testing, inspection and certification expertise to optimise the quality and safety of their products right along the supply chain.

“This new Centre of Excellence will support our UK customers’ design and quality processes, enabling them to meet their customers’ quality and safety expectations and to protect their global brands.”