When UK life sciences specialist TREK Diagnostics was looking to fit out a new facility in East Grinstead, it contacted Validair and got a lot more than expected.
Initially, TREK contacted Validair with a view to putting in a bid solely to develop the cleanroom facility at the heart of the manufacturing process. “TREK was planning a move into new premises, and asked us to tender for the 400m2 ISO class 7 (10,000) cleanroom element,’ explained director Steve Wake. “Our price was accepted, and following the detailed design phase, work was completed and ready to commission within a two month construction period on site.”
This completion was well ahead of TREK’s schedule, leaving the client with the issue of getting the rest of the building into shape. Again, Validair was able to help with this aspect of the facility development.
“We had finished the first phase of the work, but TREK still needed to appoint a contractor to do the fit-out of the rest of the building, including laboratories, offices, warehouse, packing room and toilets, together with mezzanine floors, staircases and disabled access lift,” Wake continued. “While it may not be typical of the work we do, we have delivered similar schemes in the past and we knew Validair could provide TREK with exactly what it needed.”
Validair was appointed to the role of principal contractor, managing all site activities including dealing with health and safety issues, and supplied and installed the physical structure, mechanical and electrical services, and some civil engineering work.
Speedy completion of this work was essential. After just three months the building was partially occupied, and full occupation took place just three months after that. One of the biggest challenges faced by Validair was working around the TREK staff who came in half-way through the project. However, this was successfully overcome, and TREK was delighted with the timely completion of the works, and the standards of quality achieved. Work was complete after just eight months.
“TREK recognises and commends Validair for its excellence in technical detail and design, project management, quality personnel, commitment to deadlines and quality of end product,” TREK said.
The TREK project is one further example of how Validair goes way beyond what might be expected of a specialist design and build contractor offering a complete scope of services to a demanding market sector where regulatory compliance is as important as project compliance. With its team of experienced professionals, Validair will ensure cleanroom construction is carried out to a high standard, and all the peripheral building construction can also be left in its hands.
