GENEVA, SWITZERLAND-SGS is pleased to announce that in February 2012 it was awarded a contract to perform nondestructive testing (NDT) of the new press center being built for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

The contract, which encompasses the testing of welding seams and concrete strength, as well as bolt torque inspection, has been scheduled for completion by the end of March 2012. The building will be completed in time for the Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place in May at the new development in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Over the course of the contract, SGS experts will provide quality control for welding seams and concrete strength and perform bolt connections inspection services in order to ensure the top quality and safety of the new press center's steel structures. Work began on February 12th, the date that the contract was awarded by the State Committee on Properties Management.

SGS's team of experts provides nondestructive testing of welding seams, concrete strength checking, paint thickness inspection, visual inspection of engineering systems and bolt torque inspection in accordance with thorough and stringent criteria.

The use of on-site inspection services for welding and bolt connections during the construction of the press center will help minimize the risk of defects. In addition, contracting a third-party inspection company that utilizes state-of-the-art nondestructive testing techniques such as ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection and visual inspection ensures client confidence and satisfaction.