Elko's oldest provider of testing and inspection services. Local and veteran-owned for two generations.
Our Services
More than a Laboratory
Community
At Thurston Laboratories, our commitment extends beyond the services we provide to our customers. We believe that being a successful business also means being an active and contributing member of the communities we serve. Throughout Northeastern Nevada, Thurston Laboratories and its employees support local organizations, schools, community programs, and initiatives through sponsorships, financial contributions, volunteer efforts, and the donation of time and expertise. We are proud to invest in the communities where we live and work and to help support the people and organizations that make those communities stronger. Explore our community involvement.
Research
Thurston Laboratories maintains a research program that brings laboratory practice and academic inquiry together. Current work includes diamond electronics, Microwave Analytics, exotic admixtures that improve the material properties of concrete, public astronomy, and tools developed from project and classroom practice. Explore our research.
History
The Early Years
Thurston Testing Laboratory opens in Elko
Thurston Laboratories, LLC began as Thurston Testing Laboratory in 1982. Our founder, Dan Thurston, was working for a national construction testing agency when he was assigned to work the Elko area. After falling in love with Northeastern Nevada, he decided to stay and offer his own testing services. Thurston Testing Laboratory opened its doors at 1340 Idaho Street in 1982. Thurston Testing Laboratory was the only locally owned and operated provider of construction testing services in the area.
A Permanent Home
Thurston Labs moves to 776 Silver Street
In 1991 Thurston Testing Laboratory purchased an industrial foundry building and moved to 776 Silver St. The new permanent location offered the opportunity to build out custom laboratory facilities. This included dedicated space for the curing and testing of concrete and a fully furnished soils laboratory. Thurston Laboratories, LLC continues to operate out of this location.
Business Flourishes
Four decades of growth throughout Northeastern Nevada
In the following decades Thurston Testing Laboratory went on to provide testing and inspection services to numerous projects in Elko County and beyond. These projects included construction or modernizations on almost every school in the Elko County School District, numerous streets and sidewalks in the City of Elko, the former Red Lion, the Sunrise Shopping Center, the Elko Walmart Supercenter, the Elko Home Depot, Petco, many industrial buildings along East Idaho Street, and many others.
You can find some of our most interesting construction projects here.
A New Generation
The second generation takes the reins
In late 2023 the second generation took the reins of Thurston Testing Laboratory. The business was reorganized as Thurston Laboratories, LLC to reflect the growing scope of services offered. A company-wide training effort ensured that all Thurston Laboratories staff were fully certified in their respective duties as field technicians, lab technicians, and special inspectors.
A research program was established to advance the understanding, capabilities, and use of exotic materials in construction and other industries. Thurston Laboratories continues to deliver professional and reliable testing services to the Northeastern Nevada community.
Thurston Laboratories Environmental
Water testing expands into environmental analysis
In early 2024, Thurston Laboratories established an environmental laboratory with the initial goal of providing reliable water testing to help ensure the quality and safety of drinking water throughout Northeastern Nevada. In response to growing consumer demand, the laboratory quickly expanded its capabilities to offer a broader range of chemical analyses, including specialized chemical purity monitoring and soil chemistry testing.
Thurston Laboratories Environmental continues to expand its services while remaining committed to providing accurate, dependable testing at an affordable price.
Microwave Analytics
Electronics and microwave testing
Thurston Laboratories expanded its capabilities into electronics testing and measurement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Microwave Analytics. The laboratory provides specialized testing and measurement services for microwave and electronic systems, supporting customers with accurate, reliable analysis of electronic components and equipment.
Mining Services
CRF, pastefill, shotcrete, and fibercrete testing
Thurston Laboratories has continued to expand its presence in the mining industry, providing specialized laboratory testing, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) support, and testing program development for Cemented Rock Fill (CRF), pastefill, and shotcrete applications.
Working closely with mine operators, engineers, and technical teams, Thurston Laboratories helps develop practical testing programs tailored to specific project requirements, materials, and operating conditions. These programs are designed to provide reliable data for evaluating material properties, performance, consistency, and quality, while supporting ongoing process control and optimization.
As part of this expanding capability, Thurston Laboratories has developed a Round Determinate Panel (RDP) testing program for fibercrete. The program provides a standardized method for evaluating the post-crack performance and energy absorption characteristics of fiber-reinforced shotcrete, generating data that can be used to assess and optimize fibercrete mix designs and ground-support performance.
Leadership
Click images for leadership bios.