Cancer Research UK

Johnsons Lab Logistics’ Grade A Performance For University Cancer Project

The Situation

The Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Manchester Institute is a leading cancer research institute within The University of Manchester spanning the whole spectrum of cancer research – from investigating the molecular and cellular basis of cancer, to translational research and development of therapeutics.

The Institute comprises over 350 postdoctoral scientists, clinical fellows, scientific officers, operational and technical staff, postgraduate research students and visiting fellows and comprises cutting edge laboratory facilities and outstanding core services, including genomic sequencing, confocal microscopy, bioinformatics, histology, and access to mass-spectrometry based proteomics.

In 2018, The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, announced plans for the future of the Paterson building site at The Christie on Wilmslow Road.

Together, the three organisations are building a new world-class transformational research facility. This new facility will bring together the largest concentration of scientists, doctors, and nurses in Europe – allowing specialists to collaborate and accelerate progress for cancer patients.

The new facility is set to be twice the size of the Paterson building which was extensively damaged by fire in 2017.

Until its completion, the Institute is currently based at the life sciences campus at Alderley Park in Cheshire and in the Oglesby Cancer Research Building in Manchester.

The University of Manchester and Cancer Research UK wanted to procure an experienced and specialist move contractor to develop the relocation requirements over to the new Paterson Building. The project required:

• Building an asset management system designed to provide stakeholders with an online catalogue and ongoing inventory of laboratory assets;
• Reviewing/auding IT/AV and furniture;
• Clarifying logistics strategy for relocation;
• Setting out requirements for enabling works, including the service disconnections and reconnections associated with the equipment moves;
• Obtaining costs and programme information and logging on asset management portal to be used for Phase 2 relocation tender;
• Engaging with over 40 different move champions across the estates to understand their specific roles, assets and move requirements;
• Establishing clear communication plans and stakeholder engagement pieces throughout the project.

The Solution

• Project management team ensured all works carried out by asset management team.
• Constant oversight ensured data correctly captured and imported;
• Complete audit of assets;
• Relocation package built.

The Outcome

Our engagement and communications activity ensured the data we gathered from more than 40 stakeholders was accurate, and the relocation was conducted with the minimum of fuss and disruption.

Client Quote

A spokesperson from The Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Manchester Institute said:

“We needed to procure an experienced and specialist move contractor to manage Phase One of our relocation programme.”

“We were constantly impressed by the team from Johnsons Lab Logistics who came on board and managed the whole process with professionalism and dedication.”

“We’d have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them to other organisations embarking on a complex relocation scheme.”