Moving Labs: An example of successful laboratory relocation

There are considerable challenges when moving labs. From safely transporting highly sensitive, expensive equipment through to moving the samples and even the office furniture, ensuring there is minimal disruption and maximum safety for business operations is critical.

In this case study, we examine the relocation of Salience Labs’ Oxford photonic laboratory and how partnering with a laboratory relocation specialist like Benchmark Services is crucial to success.

If you require a lab move, speak to our team and ask for a quote.

The complexity of moving labs

Laboratory relocations often involve handling equipment of significant value. They require precise environmental conditions and protection from vibration or disturbance, and the work of the entire business can hinge on the effectiveness of the laboratory.

Salience Labs works at the forefront of technology. A pioneering photonics company developing advanced optical switches for AI infrastructure, they provide optical networking for AI datacentres. The photonic switch technology requires ultra-precise manufacturing and calibration, and therefore any damage or disruption caused during the lab move could jeopardise critical commercial partnerships.

The unique challenges that Salience Labs faced

Photonic testing equipment, analytical equipment and the production of Salience Labs’ switches require nanometre-level precision production and alignment. Even minor jolts, bumps or knocks could compromise functionality and cause significant downtime or costly repairs.

This is a challenge that Benchmark Services, as a lab relocation specialist, has successfully planned for and mitigated many times in its 25-year history.

Moving financially critical equipment

Moving laboratories is not just a logistical challenge; it also carries significant financial risks as well. The equipment inventory for the move to the new lab included two business-critical items of delicate and expensive equipment. A core objective for the move was to ensure this equipment made it to the new location, safe and ready to install and calibrate.

This is a major reason why Salience Labs chose Benchmark Services for this lab move. Benchmark specialises in complex and delicate transfers, relocations and deliveries. They can transport a vast range of laboratory equipment and materials, from the large MRIs and electron microscopes, which are bulky but delicate, through to powered frozen transportation for samples in pharmaceutical labs, which require expertise in temperature levels. Their expertise is wide-ranging and covers almost everything a laboratory has to move. Including the furniture, fixtures and fittings!

If you’re interested in speaking to us about moving your laboratory, please contact us here.

A time-sensitive lab relocation

Salience Labs operate in a highly scientific sector, coupled with the fast-paced, competitive world of cutting-edge technology, so the downtime faced during the move had a significant commercial impact. An extended break from operations could mean missed deadlines, potentially damaging client relationships and contract performance. A prolonged interruption had to be avoided, and careful speed was the priority.

Rob, from Salience Labs, said, “We were worried about being able to get everything out and in, in only a day and a half.”

Pre-move planning and meticulous preparation, therefore, were key to a successful lab move. Spending time on site, surveying the move and identifying struggle points, or areas of concern, gave the team time to plan around and mitigate them. The relocation was 15 miles between sites, and to ensure success, the Benchmark team focused on proactive client communication, before, during and after the move.

To avoid downtime eating into production hours, Benchmark Services moved the lab out of working hours. This ensured optimal site access at both ends of the move and avoided disruption for staff and contract completion during working hours. Moving carefully, but at pace, with clear access, the Benchmark team were able to meet the tight deadline and complete the move successfully within the day and a half schedule.

Speak to us today to start planning your lab move

A successful lab relocation

The challenges facing the project and the ramifications if things did go wrong re-emphasise the need for a laboratory relocation specialist.

Rob commented, “The move went incredibly smoothly. The early supply of packaging & advice meant we could get as much as possible aligned in advance. Everyone has had nothing but good things to say about the entire team. We would heartily recommend.”

Choosing the right partner will prevent costly downtime, business-critical damage and a negative impact on commercial partnerships. Once Salience Labs had completed their setup and recalibration, they could immediately resume their work and enjoy the benefits of their new, larger lab.

Moving labs: Frequently Asked Questions

What accreditation should you look for when commissioning a laboratory relocation specialist?

Before hiring a logistics company for your lab move, consider the accreditation and experience the business has. For instance, Benchmark Services is ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 accredited. We are also Safe Contractor Approved, have FORS Silver accreditation, and we are members of the RHA. If your lab move includes hazardous materials, then consider COSHH and ADR accreditations too (Benchmark Services has both). All this alongside over twenty years of experience in moving laboratories.

If you would like to find out more about regulatory requirements and gain advice on your move, please click here.

How long does it typically take to relocate a laboratory?

Every lab move is different depending on the scale, the distance, the reasoning for the move and the complexity of the facilities. Salience Labs had a specific deadline that was a commercial imperative, so with time of the essence, the move had to fit within a day and a half. Other lab moves may require more laboratory equipment or a delay between facilities as they are prepared for inhabitation.

Discuss your requirements with us, and we can provide an accurate timescale for your planning.

Can moving labs be completed without shutting down operations?

Many lab relocations can be phased to ensure operations are running at a reduced capacity during the timeframe of the move. For Salience Labs, it was critical to reduce the downtime to an absolute minimum. There was also the issue of site access at both locations and traffic in between during working hours. Therefore, the decision was made to move out-of-hours. This can be done for most projects, and it ensures operations can function during the day, be transported overnight, and then calibration can commence once the move is completed. This is dependent on the distance between locations and the readiness of the new facility during the relocation phase.

Speak to us for more information.