The Balance of Effective Cold Chain Transportation

Cold chain transportation requires a delicate balance of multiple services, all executed with care and compliance. It’s used extensively in the science sector to ensure the safe movement of sensitive goods such as samples, medicines and more. Here we explain the importance of getting specialist cold chain transportation services on-side when planning a laboratory move or relocation.

What is cold chain transportation?

Cold chain management refers to the maintenance of a constant temperature during the handling and transportation of temperature-sensitive goods. It’s mostly used in the food industry and within laboratories, where a difference of just one Celsius could have dramatic consequences – especially where medical research is involved. The terminology denotes a key aspect of careful management and transportation – as the ‘chain’ refers to an ongoing set of conditions that must never be broken or altered.

Why is effective cold chain transportation and management important?

Cold chain transportation and management is perhaps most important when working within laboratories, as so many ingredients, individual elements and biological samples require specialist attention if they are to be handled or moved. Vaccines, serums and tests for infection are all examples of goods requiring stringent cold chain management. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities, along with associated equipment and logistics, which maintain a desired low-temperature range. Breaking this temperature range could seriously compromise any results, potentially ruining months of painstaking research or causing hundreds of retests, delaying vital results.

Choosing the right provider with appropriate credentials is key

Given the importance of cold chain transportation, choosing a reliable partner to guide and manage the process is key when planning a relocation or arranging courier services for lab equipment. At Johnsons we follow a strict, carefully developed process that ensures the cold chain is never broken. We specialise in handling samples, medical supplies and other temperature-controlled goods. Our expert handlers all work in line with current GLP legislation and deal with all aspects of the process, from packaging and transportation solutions to clearance, storage and customs clearance.

Johnsons provides specialist lab services and cold chain transportation throughout the UK for large and small removal projects. Get in touch with our expert advisors today to organise a plan tailored to your specific requirements.

Chemical Disposal And The Importance Of Getting It Right

Chemical disposal is a default requirement for hundreds of laboratories throughout the UK. In today’s blog we explain the importance of responsible chemical disposal, and share our eco-conscious, diverse methodology that ensures safe and sustainable practice.

Why is safe chemical disposal important?

The importance of safe chemical disposal may seem obvious – but there are in fact multiple additional benefits associated with arranging specialist management of dangerous materials. Notably compliance can streamline lab processes, reduce costs and help organisations to grow and acquire positive press and publicity. As funding bodies, government agencies and consumers are becoming more conscious of ethical, eco-friendly and safe practice, an increasing number of laboratories are focusing on sustainable chemical disposal methods. As a laboratory or organisation in charge of chemical waste, hazardous materials or dangerous goods, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are disposed of safely and correctly in line with government guidelines.

Are different methods of chemical disposal available?

Whilst it may seem as though there’s only one option for such a specialist requirement, good waste management companies will have a range of solutions available in compliance with dangerous goods, UK GLP and GxP regulations. Landfill and incineration are no longer the only options on the table – and in fact many chemical products can be sold on or reused to significantly reduce environmental impact and the cost of waste management.

Responsible chemical disposal and management is crucial

Choosing a responsible waste management partner is incredibly important – especially for laboratories with a chemical disposal requirement. Unethical or unregulated waste disposal could result in contamination, legal action or at worst injury or death – so locating trusted specialists is a serious matter for consideration.

Want to save money and the environment with specialist chemical disposal services? Get in touch today.

Why Sustainable Lab Design Is Becoming More and More Important For The Lab Services Industry

A global focus on sustainability and ethical practice has permeated the science industry, greatly influencing the design and development of new-age laboratories. Here we explore the rise of sustainable lab design, and discover why complementary lab services can further maximise the benefits of laboratories with an eco-friendly focus.

What is sustainable lab design?

Sustainable lab design promotes an ethical and eco-conscious approach to laboratory processes – from greener energy solutions and recycling programmes to water saving systems. As sustainability means different things to different people, the real outcomes expected from sustainable lab developments can be difficult to define and vary greatly. Whether you’re running a scientific lab or research facility, longevity and functionality matters. It naturally follows that labs with an environmental interest should have an ethical focus, since many are striving to discover and develop solutions with wider positive consequences for our planet.

Why does sustainable lab design matter?

Sustainable lab design matters both to the laboratories themselves and to the wider environment. Global appetite for more ethical practice, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, is growing year on year. Therefore a focus on more ‘green’ design and processing will benefit labs both financially and in terms of public opinion. Meanwhile we can all benefit from safer and more sustainable laboratory practice, especially where larger facilities are concerned. Where green energy solutions are implemented, chemical waste is responsibly processed, managed and disposed of there are clear advantages for all.

Complementary lab services

Lab services play an important role in the overall running of a research facility, scientific lab or hospital. As an extension of the organisation, those responsible for delivering laboratory specialist services must be able to reflect your standards and status. At Johnsons this is something we take very seriously. We take time to listen to you and learn more about your focus and pressure points before developing a plan and tailoring our services to suit you. Where sustainability is a focus we offer a range of eco-friendly solutions and fully compliant waste disposal methods.

Need expert lab services to maximise your profits, streamline processes and ensure full compliance at all times? Contact us today to discuss your requirements and receive tailored professional advice.

Lab Logistics Services for Alderley Park Cheshire

Science has become an integral aspect of Manchester’s identity – ever since the days of Turing and the Industrial Revolution before him. This reach is ever-expanding and evolving – with Agilent Technologies in Cheadle and Concept Life Sciences opening on the city’s periphery. Now Alderley Park promises to further develop the progression of science as an industry in the North West. So how can lab logistics services from Johnsons help companies looking to relocate to brand new facilities at a site promising to be the largest of its kind in the UK?

Alderley Park Cheshire – a pioneering advancement in science and technology

Alderley Park in Cheshire has long been a leading pharmaceutical facility in the UK, situated within the affluent ‘Golden Triangle’ alongside multi-million pound mansions and international business hubs with great transport links to Manchester and London. Formerly owned by pharmaceutical giant Astra Zeneca, the site was bought up and divided by Bruntwood in 2014. Now Alderley Park is home to MSP, which is currently developing the largest bioscience campus in the UK complete with shops, restaurants and gyms. Within 10 years the state of the art conference centre, auditorium and 400,000 square footage of commercial space is expected to attract hundreds of businesses occupying the scientific sector.

The importance and benefits of lab logistics for Cheshire labs

Professional lab logistics services are a vital aspect of smooth and efficient organisation for scientific labs, pharmaceutical testing facilities and research labs. When expanding or relocating lab logistics comes to the forefront, as safe and secure transportation of lab equipment with minimal downtime is key. Lab relocation requires specialist knowledge and service provision – as without this costly difficulties can occur as a result of disruption and delay. When dangerous goods or hazardous substances are involved the risks increase ten-fold, with safety and risk mitigation marked as a paramount concern.

Local lab logistics services for Alderley Park Cheshire

For companies considering a move to Alderley Park the benefits of using a professional lab logistics company cannot be underestimated. At Johnsons we specialise in laboratory moves, with a team of highly trained, fully compliant staff on hand to ensure that the relocation runs as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. Our expertise is extensive and covers every possible requirement – from cold chain management and dangerous goods to sample management and packaging solutions. Experienced project managers and dangerous goods specialists oversee every lab move, whether you’re relocating across the country or moving just a few miles away.

Planning an upcoming lab relocation? Call our team of laboratory relocation specialists today.

The Changing Face of Forensic Lab Equipment

At Johnsons we specialise in laboratory moves of all kinds – working with a range of requirements from time and temperature sensitive materials to dangerous goods and bio-hazardous substances. One specialist area we commonly deal with involves the transportation of forensic lab equipment. In this blog we discuss the purpose and importance of forensic lab equipment – and what the future may hold as developments continue to change the face of the industry.

What is forensic lab equipment?

Forensic lab equipment is commonly used in police work and pathology – but in fact it has wider uses and can be incorporated into a range of research and development processes. Put simply ‘forensic’ refers to equipment and processing that enables scientists to detect, collect and then process samples which can then be evaluated further for a range of reasons. Common specialist equipment in a forensic lab includes microscopes chromographs, fume hoods and spectrometers. As the term ‘forensic studies’ covers DNA forensics, forensic chemistry, forensic geology and toxicology to name just a few this is naturally a complex and diverse subject area.

How is forensic lab equipment applied?

Specialist equipment in a forensic lab can be applied in a variety of ways – from extraction and measurement to detection and timeframe creation. Often forensic scientists are working with bio-hazardous or temperature sensitive materials. This means that other equipment is often necessary alongside forensic facilities, such as specialist storage to minimise contamination and maintain a sterile environment. Failure to properly store, handle and transport substances could considerably compromise any results, so supporting apparatus can sometimes be just as important as the lab equipment itself.

What does the future hold for forensic lab equipment?

Forensic lab equipment is constantly evolving – and advances in technology continually improve the accuracy and efficiency of traditional processes. Analytical instrumentation in particular is changing operations for the better across the board – from drug chemistry to toxicology. Lab design will also change to accommodate new technologies – which are expected to incorporate artificial intelligence, automation and robotics in years to come.

Planning an upcoming laboratory move? Enlist professional support and assistance. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements.