Customer Login
Harrow Green successfully delivered one of its most complex laboratory relocations to date: the move of the UK’s National Measurement Laboratory (NML) at LGC from Teddington to a new 60,000 sq ft facility in Guildford.
The project involved relocating multiple specialist departments, including MHRA, Organics, Inorganics, Purity & Calibration, Molecular, Cells and Reference Materials, supporting the transition of over 150 scientific staff.
Planning commenced a full year in advance, with the main relocation programme delivered across a consolidated 10-week phase between April and June 2025.
The scope included the packing, transport, unpacking and coordination of recommissioning for thousands of assets, from bench-top instruments to high-end analytical platforms, liquid handling robots and bespoke OEM systems valued at over £1m per unit.
The Challenges
This was a highly regulated, nationally significant facility, requiring absolute precision and minimal operational downtime.
Hazardous & Controlled Materials
Over 7,000 chemicals, biological samples and controlled drugs were relocated under strict ADR regulations. Some materials formed part of the UK’s national chemical measurement standards, used to calibrate testing equipment across food safety, pharmaceutical and environmental sectors.
OEM & Engineering Coordination
More than 60 OEMs and third-party engineering companies were engaged and programme-managed, with intricate scheduling for decommissioning, recommissioning and validation, including over 30 HPLCs alone.
Heavy & High-Value Equipment
Specialist assets required bespoke crating, open-cell foam protection, gantries, scissor tables, HIAB crane vehicles and stand-removal skates to ensure safe handling.
Programme Compression
Originally phased works were consolidated into one continuous 10-week programme following project delays, requiring reprogramming without compromising compliance or timelines.
During delivery, unforeseen client-side resource illness impacted HVAC and LEV reconnections. Harrow Green deployed an in-house engineer for six weeks to bridge the gap, ensuring equipment was ready for OEM validation.
Highlights
A dedicated Life Sciences project management team led a year-long planning process, engaging
key stakeholders early and building a detailed, dependency-led relocation programme.
Our DGSA team conducted months of auditing and classification to ensure full legal compliance for chemical and controlled drug transport. ADR-trained drivers, specialist packers and temperature-controlled logistics were deployed throughout.
Specialist inverter vehicles allowed fridges and freezers to remain powered in transit, alongside dedicated temperature-controlled vehicles for cold room contents and controlled substances. Bespoke crates were manufactured for high-value analytical systems, ensuring complete asset protection.
All packing, relocation and unpacking services were delivered in-house, with full coordination of OEM and engineering partners.
The Outcome
This landmark move demonstrates Harrow Green’s ability to manage high-stakes, compliance-critical scientific relocations, safeguarding the standards that underpin testing, safety and research across the UK.
Client feedback on the controlled drugs element stated: “Very happy, went smoothly and our team were helpful and professional. This is our first controlled drugs relocation… using cold storage units and keeping a customer with high expectations happy – not easy.”
Client: LGC
Location: Guildford
Sector: Life Science Sector
Related Case Studies
