CONGRATULATIONS – Your results-driven lab is busy because you are successful at what you do. You’ve hired top professionals in their fields and your achievements now necessitate laboratory and employee growth. At this point, like in many other industries, staffing is proving to be a challenge, but your new lab might just give you the edge that attracts new talent to your door.
Planning for continued success
The best opportunity to ensure continued growth for tomorrow rests in the decisions you make today. Moving a lab or outfitting a totally new space gives you carte blanche to decide what equipment will be used and where. Of course, your applications will somewhat determine what type of apparatus you will require, but within those parameters is the freedom to explore the best innovative options available on the market today. This event doesn’t come along often so investing time in thorough research is totally warranted.
The first question to ask is: Can I showcase a ‘state-of-the-art’ lab as an affirmation to prospective staff, that they will be working in an innovative, safe, environmentally friendly environment? If you have yet to do a detailed investigation within the lab equipment market, you may not have that answer. Rest assured, however, your competition does.
Offering a secure environment is key to expansion
Like most employees in your industry, prospective lab staff members will consider the following critical for their employment decision:
- How pure will the air I breathe be from chemical fumes within the entire lab environment?
- What safety measures will be in place to ensure the chemicals I work with have been certified as ‘safe to use’ in my operations?
- Will the equipment I use, like fume hoods, be user-friendly and ergonomic?
- Do the safety measures employed in your lab go beyond compliance to address harmful chemical exposure more adequately?
Your checklist for ensuring lab equipment meets staff requirements
Experienced lab managers agree that when planning a new lab, or a lab expansion, there are five major conditions that must be met within equipment specifications to ensure a successful transition.
- Safety – Safer use during staff operations by way of chemical certification and real-time audio/visual alarm technology
- Flexibility – Ability to easily relocate equipment within the lab for project needs
- Reliability – No downtime, built-in filtration redundancy
- Economical – Purchasing Equipment where there is no HVAC required saves on installation, disruption of environment, and energy costs
- Environmentally friendly – Purchase equipment that leaves little to no carbon footprint. Ensure all fumes, toxic chemicals, and contaminants are captured at their source, and filters used are made from eco-friendly raw materials and recycled through energy recovery.
Get ahead of the curve
When researching companies and lab equipment, use the same criteria that your prospective staff will use to determine your company’s stability and credibility. Your research and comparative analysis should include companies with at least 50+ years of R&D innovating and supporting their products. Longevity is earned by product reputation, service, and customer satisfaction. Exploring product reviews by current and past clients should also be part of the equation and will speak volumes about customer service. Many companies have wonderful products but service after the sale should always be a crucial component of your decision.
Outfitting a new or expanded lab is an exciting opportunity to launch your vision for future company growth. It is imperative you have an initial conversation with trusted experts in the field of laboratory equipment to point you in the right direction. Once your lab is equipped with the industry’s best, the talent will follow.
For more information contact Erlab online or speak to a safety technician today 1-800-964-4434
Read how Jennifer became her laboratory’s hero (eBook)
Listen to the experts discuss the benefits of ductless fume hoods (Podcast)
Therapeutics Company Case Story (Case Study)
