Nottingham Trent University

Johnsons Lab Logistics – Top Marks For University Relocation

The Situation

Before Nottingham Trent University’s pioneering £23 million Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) could open in 2021, consideration had to be given as to how to relocate existing assets and equipment into the new building.

The 2,265 sq m MTIF is a two storey-building on the university’s Clifton Campus. It’s part of a dual-site facility designed to produce the next generation of medical devices and technologies. The site includes laboratories, clean-rooms, and an extensive range of specialist equipment to help key industry players both enhance and accelerate their research and development.

University staff identified that much of the equipment to be installed in the innovative new centre was already used in the university’s iSmart Building and Engineering/Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) building.

As part of the relocation planning process they also listed three extremely important pieces of kit which, due to their extreme mass and weight, would require specialist moving.

These were a granite section weighing approximately 4500kg; a stack of three lasers (LAMBDA PHYSIK), each weighing approximately 500kg; and a Trotec SP500 laser cutter.

The Solution

The university’s Research Team called on the dedication and professionalism of Johnsons Laboratory Logistics to manage the relocation from start to finish.

Staff were supplied with packing crates to move smaller items.

Central to the project was the hire of a HIAB vehicle to relocate the granite system.

Other removal equipment included:

• Fully-compliant vehicles for chemicals and samples.
• Thermal shippers for any cold-chain materials from fridges or freezers.
• Pallets for large/bulky laboratory equipment.
• Bespoke wooden crates for delicate/high-value laboratory equipment.
• Shock and tilt monitors for delicate/analytical laboratory equipment.
• Open-cell protective foam for delicate laboratory equipment.
• Specialist ramps.

The Outcome

The delicate removal was carried out smoothly and efficiently, with all assets and equipment delivered, unpacked, and installed ready for the opening of the MTIF.

Client Quote

A spokesperson from Nottingham Trent University said:

“We realised from the outset that this would be a delicate project due to the nature of some of the equipment which needed to be moved.”

“From the very first meeting, to the last piece of kit being installed, we were extremely impressed by the knowledge, experience, and professionalism of all the Johnsons Lab Logistics team who managed the project effortlessly and seamlessly and with the minimum amount of disruption to our day-to-day activities at the university.”