Smithers Expands Leatherhead Laboratory to Meet Growing Demand for Distribution Testing
June 24, 2026 – –
Leatherhead, UK, 24 June 2026. Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, is pleased to announce the expansion of its distribution testing laboratory in Leatherhead, UK to meet growing demand. Construction is currently underway, with completion expected by the last quarter of 2026.
The expanded facility will deliver a 55% increase in total footprint, adding an additional 3,800 sq ft of conditioned laboratory space and will further enhance testing capacity. The investment reflects increasing demand across sectors including e-commerce, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, as products move through more demanding distribution environments.
The enhanced facility will increase capacity across Smithers distribution testing services, including specialised programmes such as combined hazard testing for pharmaceutical and medical device products. These programmes enable clients to assess how products perform under multiple stresses, including temperature variation, vibration, and handling, helping better reflect real-world distribution conditions.
“This expansion reflects the continued growth in demand we’re seeing across key sectors,” said James Raw, Operations Director of Packaging Testing, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division EU. “As distribution networks continue to evolve, particularly in areas such as e-commerce and regulated industries, clients are looking for testing that reflects real-world conditions. By increasing our capacity in Leatherhead, we’re expanding access to the testing our clients rely on and supporting them as they bring products to market.”
The expanded laboratory will help clients bring products to market while reducing the risk of damage during transit.
This investment reinforces Smithers commitment to supporting clients throughout the packaging development and validation process, complementing its broader packaging testing capabilities at its Leatherhead, UK facility, including materials testing, primary packaging performance testing and food contact compliance services.
About Smithers Packaging Services
For more than 50 years, Smithers has provided package and distribution testing solutions to help clients reduce shipment damage, troubleshoot packaging and supply chain issues, identify cost reduction opportunities, meet sustainability requirements, and more. Our ISTA-certified services help clients evaluate packaged goods performance through the simulation of shipment, handling, storage and climatic conditions while supporting quality, compliance, and sustainability objectives.
For more information about Smithers Distribution Testing services, please visit our website.
About Smithers:
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, cannabis, commodities, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.
