A young pilot in the US Air Corps returned to civilian life after serving his country. His name was George Grossman, and he began a new career selling supplies and equipment to paint labs in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Wherever he went, George made it a practice to ask his customers, "What do you need that you can't get from your current suppliers?" Many customers told George that they needed a consistent, reproducible test surface. They wanted to make sure that if a coating failed during testing, it was because of a bad paint and not because of a contaminated substrate.
George founded Q-Panel Lab Products in 1956 to fulfill this industry need. When designing the first test panels, George was looking for a way to place a logo on his product that would not be obscured when the lab technicians sprayed the panels with paint. He decided that a "Q" shaped hole would meet this requirement and represent the quality and quick delivery that George wanted for his panels.
Over 60 years later, Q-Lab has established the global standard for affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use weathering, lightfastness, and corrosion test equipment and test services. This philosophy and customer-first approach has made us “The Most Trusted Name in Weathering".
Read more about the entire history of Q-Lab in pictures below.
1956
Q-Panel Company is founded in Cleveland, USA to fill a need for standard test panels for paint research. The company name is eventually changed to Q-Lab in 2006.
1960
Q-Lab's first new factory is built in Cleveland, Ohio.
1965
The QCT “Cleveland Condensation Tester” is introduced by Q-Lab. This precursor to the QUV provides condensation only; no UV light.
1970
The QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester is introduced. This revolutionary design by Q-Lab combines condensation and fluorescent UV light. Today, the distinctive shape is recognized throughout the world.
1977
The first of many ASTM and international specifications are published that reference the QUV tester.
1980
Q-Lab opens a European sales office and warehouse in the United Kingdom, near Manchester.
1981
Q-Lab moves to a new, larger factory in Westlake, Ohio.
1983
The QUV becomes the world’s most widely-used weathering tester, based on number of units in use.
1984
UVB-313 lamps are introduced. This Q-Lab design is the first lamp specifically designed for fluorescent UV weathering testers
1987
UVA-340 lamps are introduced. This Q-Lab innovation is still the best available simulation of the short-wavelength UV portion of sunlight.
1989
The QUV Spray option is introduced to supplement the QUV tester’s condensation system. Spray produces mechanical erosion on wood coatings, and thermal shock on plastics.
1992
SOLAR EYE irradiance control is introduced to completely stabilize UV irradiance. Q-Lab’s proprietary power supply produces 75% higher UV output and longer lamp life.
1992
Q-Lab receives patents for its unique AUTOCAL system for UV calibration. Q-Lab also offers radiometers of its own design and manufacture.
1992
Q-Lab introduces the Q-FOG cyclic corrosion tester to its portfolio, giving customers a more realistic way to perform salt spray tests than traditional, steady-state exposures.
1994
Q-Lab develops proprietary embedded microprocessor controller – the first of its kind in a weathering tester.
1995
The new Q-Lab Weathering Research division in Miami, Florida offers laboratory services for QUV weathering testing.
1996
Q-Lab's Arizona site is built near Phoenix, offering natural desert exposure testing.
1997
Q-TRAC natural sunlight concentrator testing is offered at Q-Lab Arizona for accelerated outdoor testing.
1998
Q-Lab introduces the Q-SUN Xe-3 flat-array lightfastness and weathering tester, a breakthrough in price / performance ratio for xenon arc testers.
1998
The Q-SUN Xe-1 xenon arc tester is launched. It provides the same state-of-the-art technology as the Xe-3, but in a compact, tabletop model.
1999
Q-Lab Florida moves to a new 120,000 m2 site, with a 1,000 m2 hurricane-proof building.
2001
Q-Lab's new headquarters are built to house R&D, manufacturing, calibration, and corporate administration. Subsequent expansions are completed in 2008 and 2018.
2005
A next-generation proprietary embedded controller is introduced. VIRTUAL STRIPCHART software allows logging of test data via Ethernet.
2005
Q-Lab calibration service for radiometers earns ISO 17025 accreditation.
2005
Q-Lab opens an office in Shanghai for technical support in China.
2006
Q-Panel Lab Products changes its name to Q-Lab Corporation to reflect the wide range of instruments and services it provides, and the industries it serves.
2007
Q-Lab introduces the Q-SUN B02 xenon-arc test chamber. This precursor to the Q-SUN Xe-2 sets the new standard for affordability in rotating rack lightstability testers.
2008
Q-Lab opens a new German office to help support its growing business in Europe.
2012
Q-Lab opens an accredited, fully equipped laboratory testing facility at its Saarbrücken, Germany location. The new laboratory provides accelerated weathering, lightfastness, and corrosion testing, as well as color, gloss, and other visual evaluations.
2012
The Q-PANEL Automotive Refinish Training System (ARTS) is introduced. It consists of a mounting cart and primed, contoured panels that simulate real automotive hoods and fenders.
2012
The Q-SUN Xe-2 xenon test chamber is released. With a full range of optical filters, it meets all major weathering standards. It is the simplest, most reliable, and easiest-to-use rotating rack xenon arc tester available.
2012
Q-Lab introduces an advanced water repurification system for QUV and Q-SUN testers. The system doesn’t just recirculate water; it repurifies it. This can conserve up to 1,000 liters of expensive, purified water per day.
2014
The Q-FOG CRH cyclic corrosion tester is released. It features relative humidity control and shower spray, and meets most major automotive and international corrosion test standards.
2014
Q-Lab’s European office in Bolton, UK celebrates its grand re-opening. The renovated facility includes a brand new ISO 17025-accredited calibration lab and a fully-operational demo test showroom.
2016
CX series Mass-Loss Corrosion Coupons are released. These ensure repeatability and reproducibility when performing laboratory corrosion testing.
2017
Q-Lab China moves to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Shanghai. The new office contains additional office space, room for training and seminars, a larger repair area, and a new research and showcase laboratory.
2018
Q-Lab introduces the Universal Calibrator system, a revolutionary, handheld device for calibrating temperature and irradiance across all Q-Lab weathering chambers.
2018
Q-Lab completes a 13,000 ft² expansion project at their worldwide headquarters. The expansion adds warehousing and office space to the facility, as well as revamped shipping and receiving areas.
2020
Celebrating the QUV's 50th Anniversary, Q‑Lab introduces the QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester featuring the new Gen 4 main controller with dual, full-color touchscreen displays.
2020
Q-Lab introduces "E" model Q-SUN Xenon Test Chambers. The "E" model features higher irradiance and/or longer lamp lifetimes, dual touch-screen displays, and new styling.
2020
The Q-FOG CRH Cyclic Corrosion Tester with Rapid Ramp Heater is introduced. This tester can perform all tests from major international standard bodies and OEM's, including those that require very fast temperature ramping.
2020
Q-Lab launches the QUV/uvc Accelerated Weathering Tester. The QUV/uvc uses UVC lamps to deliver shortwave ultraviolet (UV) light to test for material durability against photodegradation effects resulting from exposure to UVC light.
2022
Gen 4 main controller screens are introduced for the Q-FOG Cyclic Corrosion Tester product line. These chambers can perform all tests from major international standard bodies and OEM's, now with the added convenience of dual, full-color touchscreen displays and 17 languages.
2022
The Q-FOG CRH cyclic corrosion chamber is offered with a Top-Mounted Swaying Shower Bar (TSSB). The TSSB allows the tester to meet requirements of major automotive test standards and enables testing of large-form-factor components.
2023
Q-Lab CEO Doug Grossman celebrates his 50th anniversary with the company. Under his leadership, Q-Lab has become the world leader in weathering test products and services.
2024
Q-Lab acquires Arizona Desert Testing, LLC. The new, combined facility is called Q-Lab Arizona Desert Testing, LLC, and is the world leader in Automotive Interior Materials (AIM) testing.
2024
For the tenth straight year, Q-Lab is named one of Northeast Ohio's best places to work by The Cleveland Plain Dealer on its list of "Top Workplaces".