As we begin to settle into 2023 ADCO takes a look at the current trends in the pharmaceutical industry and their potential impacts on fit out projects.

In a recent PwC survey, 90% of executives said they were worried about the macroeconomic environment, with many already taking action to adjust strategic plans. Some of their concerns include high inflation, talent shortages, rising competition, increased need for AI capabilities and the growing importance of ESG to consumers and partners.

ADCO is a business that has always grown with challenges and one of the ways we do this is by reframing them as opportunities. Here we demonstrate how some of the potential industry concerns can be transformed into chances for strategic improvements and competitive edge.

How can your fit-out help you win the “war for talent”?

In an industry that depends on highly skilled knowledge workers, having superior working environments is essential. We all know how important the benefits package and the culture are to prospective employees but, in parallel, the fit-out provides an opportunity to immerse visitors, interviewees and existing team members in your employer brand – your culture and your values.

Whether in a highly regulated cleanroom, on a production line or in an office, workspaces are better when they are both attractive and functional. The fit-out needs to enhance comfort and experience while prioritising people’s wellbeing. When a prospective employee comes to interview, they should already want to picture themselves coming in every day.

Read more about our award-winning clean room, shutdowns, upgrades and fit-out work and the depth and breadth of experience of our teams to provide advice on fit-out, design and key KPI’s for every eventuality.

How can your fit-out capitalise on digital ‘Industry 4.0’ technologies?

The pharmaceutical industry has been undergoing a transition with the use of cutting-edge digital platforms, big data analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) which is only set to continue.

2023 sees pharmaceutical companies in various stages of migration to cloud infrastructure, at different points in their journey to AI accelerated drug development, utilising wearable devices for feedback and so on. These transitions hold promises of improved efficiencies, expanded service offerings and lower costs.

So how does this trend translate to your fit-out project? Well in order to realise these savings, companies must make substantial investments in modernising their IT infrastructure and reassessing their legacy systems. When the cleanroom, laboratory, plant or office fit-out is being designed and completed it’s absolutely vital that energy, electricity, grid connection, Wi-Fi capability and physical infrastructure is assessed for both current and future capacity as well as efficiency and performance.

It’s important to think about the long term. Look at ways to incorporate the potential for later improvements into your fit-out with minimal costs and disruption. Ask yourself what your vision and roadmap for change is and leverage the experience we have at ADCO to help you to work backwards from there.

How can your fit-out contribute towards your ESG goals?

2023 will continue to see the industry move towards sustainable manufacturing, transport, construction and delivery. Pharmaceutical organisations are now incorporating ESG goals holistically and placing their focus on creating long-term solutions. There is a very real need to balance the availability of energy and the ongoing inflationary costs against the backdrop of a very dynamic macroeconomic and geopolitical environment.

At ADCO we listen to our clients, understand their needs and provide solutions uniquely tailored to their context and defined ESG goals. For example, moving your thermostat down just two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer could save about 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year so having a BMS (Building Management System) which is running at peak performance has a wider knock-on impact than some people realise.

As a main contractor and as a responsible member of the business community our Environmental Management System is an integral part of the management process within ADCO. We continually evaluate our processes and seek alternatives to minimise any effects of our activities on the environment. Meaning that from conception to completion you can depend on us to deliver your project innovatively and sustainably.

Since our inception, ADCO has built success by delivering what it promises. The strength of our teams lies in a proven track record in clean room installation, fit-out works and general contracting specialising in the pharmaceutical sector.

The success of our team is built on trusting relationships with our international blue-chip client base which includes MSD, Allergan, Alexion, Biotrin, Covidien, Pfizer, Forest Labs, Leo Pharma, Mallinckrodt and Amgen.