Hall Analytical

Battling COVID-19 to deliver office and laboratory relocation for Hall Analytical

The Situation

Element Manchester (formerly Hall Analytical) is an analytical lab specialising in extractables and leachables testing in medical devices, reduced-risk products, and pharma. They also provide further testing on reduced-risk products to keep customers compliant with regulation such as PMTA, EU TPD2 and UK TRPR.

In 2019, the company recognised the need for new space in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Larger office and laboratory facilities were required due to internal staff growth, expansion, and growing demand from its business and client base.

The relocation project was impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown which came into force in March 2020.

The Solution

We gained government approval to continue working under strict guidelines, and moved the programme to accommodate for the temporary downtime we experienced, build new Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) and deliver and distribute new, enhanced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Changing the programme meant a full analysis and utilisation of the buildings; access and egress routes; formulating a one-way system to coincide with social distancing rules; and the usability requirements of internal staff (scientists etc. who still required access to the building) and external contractors.

We built bespoke move plans for building users and implemented COVID-19 safety measures throughout, so everyone knew when and where to expect us.

The project involved:

• Regular meetings facilitated by our dedicated Project Manager;
• Balancing the delivery programme with outside contractors, OEMs, and limitations caused by COVID-19;
• Concurrent office and laboratory relocation;
• Planning office layout;
• Furniture analysis and new office design consultation in line with an interior design specification;
• OEM Management – often dealing with multiple OEMs for a single piece of equipment;
• Chemical relocation;
• Gas and nitrogen relocation;
• Management of outside contractors
• Regular updates from and consultation with our inhouse GDPR officer;
• Furniture installation.

The Outcome

Despite the minor delays caused by Covid-19, we ensured all works were carried out safely, whilst managing several key variables.

Client Quote

A spokesperson from Hall Analytical said:

“This was an extremely difficult project due to the restrictions caused by COVID-19. However, Johnsons Lab Logistics rose to the challenge, overcame the obstacles, and delivered the project in an extremely knowledgeable and professional way.”

“We were all extremely impressed by the team’s efforts.”