Croda Europe Ltd

The Project

In January 2020, Johnsons undertook the planning and relocation of Croda’s laboratory relocation from Ditton in Cheshire. Our ADR trained team use a number of pieces of relocation equipment to safely and carefully relocate all laboratory items/equipment (scissor lifting tables/pallet trucks/non-slip wheeled sack trucks and skates). Special shock and tilt monitors were used on the delicate/high-value items that we packed and relocated to ensure that they can be checked at the delivery end, with an auditable trail to confirm that careful, safe and correct handling techniques have been used.

Scope of Services

  • 2 no. days Laboratory Move Manager to undertake the planning and preparation prior to the commencement of the move
  • Provision of our DGSA (Dangerous Goods & Safety Advisor) to support and provide the legally required transportation documentation
  • Supply of experienced/trained/uniformed JLL relocation team members
  • Supply of ADR compliant vehicles and certified ADR drivers as required (to relocate the biohazard level 1 & 2 freezer contents)
  • Provision of shock and tilt monitors for high value/delicate equipment (Mass Spec/HPLCs)
  • Packing and unpacking of all larger/heavier laboratory items in to/out of bespoke wooden crates and on/off pallets
  • Supply of UN compliant thermo-shipping poly boxes and 40kg dry ice to support the relocation of the biohazard level 1 & 2 contents
  • Supply of 6 x bespoke built wooden crates with insulated foam lining (for the relocate of larger/delicate equipment), as well as crates, bubble wrap and labels
  • Supply of polyboxes and chilled gel packs to support the relocation of loose fridge items that cannot be secured in the fridge for transport
  • Building protection for al main doorways/walkways/lifts as required
  • Goods in transit Insurance of up to £1m total value as standard

Testimonial

Could you please say a big thank you to the whole relocation team. It went really well, smoothly, with no major problems, so I’m very happy with the whole process.”

Relocation of Level 1 and 2 Freezer Contents and -80 Freezer

To support the integrity of the biohazard level 1 & 2 freezer contents, we supplied UN compliant/standard thermal shippers with dry ice/gel packs.

For the relocation of the -80 freezer, we supplied a 185-litre capacity TC10 thermal-shipper. The TC10 is a high-quality Thermal Control Unit made with polystyrene and fibreboard and has been specially designed to relocate frozen material with dry ice being used as a coolant. The TC10 has a dry ice loss rate of 457.5 grams per hour (based on an average outside temperature of 30 degrees) so ensured that any -80 freezer contents that were being transported would have sufficient coolant to cover the relocation requirement with an adequate amount of contingency time being incorporated.

In addition to the physical transportation of the freezer, it provided an extra level of contingency should the -80 freezer have had any issues and didn’t power upon arrival at the new address.

Move Management

One of our leading Laboratory Move Manages was assigned to undertake this project, completing all the necessary planning tasks, ensuring all aspect of the project were planned and completed safely and correctly. Prior to the relocation, he attended site and undertook a number of measures to ensure the live move day ran effectively:

  • Measured up all larger items that required bespoke wooden crates (items that will not fit into standard L3C or IT6 crates)
  • Ran through the logistics of the relocation with the Croder Laboratory Manager to see if there was a preferred sequencing method
  • Confirmed the relocation requirements for the fridges/freezers and ensured that we were in possession of all information to safely and legally relocate all the contents
  • Validated all requirements/items that are to be relocated
  • Supplied packing and labelling advice for the items that the client was responsible for
  • Completed an audit of the site/s to ensure that compliant Risk Assessments and Method Statements are produced and provided and record what building protection is required

Hall Analytical

The Project

In 2019, Hall Analytical recognised the requirement for a new space in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Due to their internal staff growth, expansion and growing demand from their business and client base, larger office and laboratory facilities were required, allowing end-users to carry out more sample analysis.

We were awarded the project management, laboratory and office relocations to their new premises in September 2019.

Scope of Services

  • Five-month project preparation by a dedicated Project Manager, commencing in October 2019 with bi-weekly meetings for the first three months, increasing to weekly meetings in the new year
  • Balancing the delivery programme with outside contractors, OEMs and the Covid-19 pandemic limitations
  • All meetings lead by the dedicated Project Manager and key stakeholders involved at Hall Analytical
  • Programme build of concurrent office and laboratory relocation
  • Planning of office layout with HA
  • Furniture analysis and design consultation for the new office in line with an interior design specification
  • OEM Management, sometimes dealing with multiple OEMs for a single piece of equipment
  • Chemical relocation
  • Gas and nitrogen relocation
  • Management of outside contractors incl. electricians who were adjusting the onsite video technology
  • Regular updates from and consultation with our inhouse GDPR officer
  • The delivery team distributed with knowledge and understanding of GLP and UKAS requirements
  • Furniture installation

Covid-19 Implications

In February 2020, the month which our original programming saw the commencement of relocations for Hall Analytical, the UK was preparing to go into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. This meant we weren’t allowed to do a two-man carry of any office furniture or lab equipment, which would prove problematic and force a delay in proceedings.

After gaining approval from the Government to continue working under strict guidelines, the programme was shifted to accommodate for the temporary downtime we experienced, and for the build of new Risk Assessments, Method Statements (RAMS) and the delivery and internal distribution of new, enhanced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Once the new methods had been approved both internally and by Hall analytical themselves, the Project Manager rebuilt and re-resourced the programme around other users of the building including the outside contractors and onsite OEMs.

Site Management

Rebuilding 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 the building users and integrated and distributed Covid-19 safety measures throughout so all users of the building knew where to expect our presence and when.

The Outcome

Hall Analytical was impressed with the precision and professionalism of the team on site. Despite the minor delays caused by Covid-19, we ensured all works were carried out safely, whilst managing a number of key variables. 

Medicines Discovery

The Project

David Hillier was appointed as the Project Manager to deliver the fit-out & refurbishment works and manage the appointed contractors, including the MEP contractor and the various OEM’s involved.  The project involved the office and specialist laboratory space relocation including Cat2 Laboratories and CATA and CATB fit-outs.

Collaboration

David and the Johnsons team worked to deliver a soft landing of specialist equipment including:

  • Mass Spectrometry, Microscopy Tissue Processing and General Analytical Lab Equipment.
  • Coordination of cradle to the grave installation process of all laboratory apparatus including full coordination of OEM’s equipment.
  • Relationship building with international and regional OEM teams consisting of Carl Zeiss, Bruker and Waters.

Key Deliverables

As a result of Covid-19, the Light House Lab project materialised, and David was appointed by the client to deliver the project at Alderley Park.

The project involved:

  • Property project management, assisting with the refurbishment and upgrade of existing CAT2 Labs creating and supporting the national diagnostic lab network, to support the fight against COVID-19 building industrial testing capacity. Project lead on landlord and tenant interface, collaboration role within property and asset managing team focusing on time-driven delivery for the facility in line with government timelines.
  • Working with the FM Team to coordinate delivery and installation of specialist lab equipment, ranging from PCR Machines to Hamilton Robotics. International and regional coordination of installation program with suppliers Hamilton, CAS.

The project also involved the relocation of staff personal crates, IT and equipment.

Proctor and Gamble

The Project

Procter & Gamble’s bid to move its Greater London Innovations Centre from Egham to Reading was approved in 2017. Their Reading lab, fortuitus in expanse possibility, allowed the company to consolidate its activities by swelling the location by 250 Egham-office habitants. Although office space allowed such a move to be easily negotiable, P&G needed to build a high-quality research facility on site, with 56 laboratory units which could enable their scientists to “thrive in an increasingly competitive world”.

Their Reading location, which has been a favourite amongst P&G since its acquirement of the property in the 1950’s has long been the base for new product innovation, with the lab-build completed in 2019, bringing it into the 21st Century.

Upon completion of the build, Johnsons were awarded the relocations contract for both the laboratory and office elements. Commencing project planning in 2019, the works were completed during the spring and summer of 2020.

Scope of Services

  • Phased project planning with the Egham team relocating and the Reading team already in situ
  • Relocation of stability rooms (rooms where a specific temperature and humidity had to be upheld to house certain chemicals and testing samples)
  • Chemical moves (full ADR aspects included)
  • Packing and unpacking of chemicals
  • Counterfeit product moves
  • Finished product moves
  • Packing and unpacking of microscopes
  • Bespoke-built crates for the microscopes and autoclaves
  • Relocation of 600kg autoclaves
  • Relocation of non-biological samples
  • Project Manager written instruction guide on the safe handling and packing of smaller items

Covid-19 Implications

In March 2020, the month which our original programming saw the commencement of relocations for P&G, the UK went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the globe.

After gaining approval from the Government to continue working under strict guidelines, the programme was shifted to accommodate for the temporary downtime we experienced, and for the build of new Risk Assessments, Method Statements (RAMS) and the delivery and internal distribution of new, enhanced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Once the new methods had been approved both internally and by P&G themselves, the Project Manager rescheduled, rebuilt and re-resourced the programme.

The reprogramming included liaising with the scientists as their own schedules had been reorganised due to the limitations of people allowed in the laboratories. We therefore reserved our attendance for packing the larger items and moving the scientist-packed crates to when the building was at minimal capacity.

Autoclave Relocation

One of the largest items we were to relocate was a 600kg autoclave. The equipment had been in situ for such a length of time that it had sank into the foundation of the building. We used safe scoots to lift it from its position to avoid damaging it. 

The Result

Despite the change of programme and delayed delivery due to Covid-19, the project was handed over to P&G with full compliments. The handling of the pandemic and our swift ability to alter and adapt our working practices, to ensure the works could still happen at all, was fully appreciated by the client.

Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd

The Project

In 2019, Johnsons provided Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd with a move management and relocation programme to facilitate their requirement for a building consolidation project. Originally spread over two buildings, a recent audit exposed the opportunity for them to draw down on their sustainable estate strategy and utilise the space of just one area instead.

The project was required to take place over two phases split into the relocation of the production areas in the clean room and the relocation of the main offices.

Scope of Services

  • Full Project Move Management to complete the planning and delivery of the relocation of the clean room items and general office areas
  • Provision of our DGSA (Dangerous Goods & Safety Advisor) to support and provide the legally required transportation documentation
  • Supply of experienced/trained/uniformed JLL relocation team members
  • Supply of ADR compliant vehicles and certified ADR drivers as required
  • Rolls of bubble wrap to be supplied for Zeiss UK staff to use to pack
  • Supply of equipment (crates, security seals, labels etc.)
  • Supply of qualified/skilled fitters to undertake the dismantling/reassembling of the racking/workbenches
  • Building protection installed to all main walkways/doorways/lifts as required

The new, modern setting was chosen to mirror the innovative working techniques of both Carl Zeiss Ltd and Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd and has been created to provide an open plan, collaborative and flexible working environment for all of our employees.

As-well as being a larger and a more modern building, ZEISS House also hosted excellent meeting and conferencing facilities throughout the three open plan floors. There were 16 meeting rooms and 5 demo rooms for optimal availability and flexibility for their visiting customers. In addition, the new site had a much larger car park for staff and visitors, as well as many local amenities nearby.

Production Area / Clean Room Relocation

The Production Area relocation comprised of a number of specialist pieces of equipment being transitioned from Coldhams Lane to Canbourne Business Park. The items included cylinders of Nitrogen and Helium, fume cabinet, work benches, large crane/A-Frame, small crane/A-Frames, crates and cages as well as Dexion racking.

Prior to all items being transported from the Clean Room, they were shrink-wrapped with a double layer of shrink wrap. This reduced the chances of all the items that are coming out of the clean-room environment being exposed to an environment of over an ISO level 5/10,000 maximum particle classification.

We unwrapped the first layer outside of the airlock at the new premises and then handed all items over to the Zeiss UK staff through the airlock facility to remove the second layer.

All relocation equipment on each shift was segregated so once equipment had entered the clean room it will stay in there in its “clean” state until the relocation shift was completed. In addition to this, we provided separate removal teams and segregated them so they didn’t continuously pass through the airlock between the cleanroom environment.