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VWR International has strengthened existing European arrangements with top laboratory furniture manufacturer Köttermann. Traditionally suppliers of fire and acid storage cabinets through VWR International, the new partnership opens the door to a significant three way relationship which will offer customers the full range of Köttermann furniture and design expertise, together with a total project management, design and implementation service.

Köttermann units are all designed to be modular or integral, and can be implemented as newbuild or retrofitted, as a collection of stand alone items or as a complete interior. Units are constructed from durable and recyclable steel, galvanised, cleaned with phosphates and coated with a thick layer of epoxy resin.

The Köttermann range includes tables and cabinets, chairs and worksurfaces, fume and chemicals cupboards, safety accessories and services systems. Octagonal workbenches offer a high degree of flexibility and versatility. A revolutionary design, allows laboratory services to run vertically inside service columns, while outlets for gases, water and electricity are easily and safely accessible above the work surfaces.

Opting for the Köttermann lab design and fitting service through VWR International gives the customer access to a complete consultation service, which can extend to virtual reality demonstrations of fitted lab interiors, the complete design, supply and installation processes, the sourcing and supply of the complete selection of necessary lab supplies, after sales service and maintenance second to none.

To receive further information on the complete Köttermann range through Advanced email sales@advtechind.com

VWR International’s recent European agreement with top quality laboratory furniture manufacturer Köttermann has resulted in a complete lab refurbishment project with joint customer Acordis.

The new Grimsby-based lab’s requirements were part analytical, part electrical and part chemistry, so the need for several separate working spaces and a high degree of versatility in design was called for. There was also a certain time pressure, due to corporate issues taking place at the same time. Acordis chose VWR International to be the co-ordinator on the project as part of ongoing discussions on sole supplier agreements.

Köttermann offers a complete design and fitting service, together with a range of tables, cabinets, chairs and worksurfaces for all laboratory uses, fume and chemicals cupboards, safety accessories and storage systems. Its designs have an eye for the future, using octagonal island units for easy movement and maximum access of personnel to all stations. Köttermann designs also make use of revolutionary techniques for running lab services inside service columns, while allowing outlets for gases, water and electricity to be easily accessible above worksurfaces. All units are designed to be modular or integral, and can be implemented as newbuild - as with the Acordis project - or retrofitted, as a collection of stand alone items or as a complete interior. Units are constructed from durable and recyclable steel, galvanised, cleaned with phosphates and coated with epoxy resin.

The first step in the VWRI-Köttermann-Acordis project was a site survey. An evaluation of workplace requirements and initial measurements were made and astate-of-the-art top quality CAD diagram of the proposal, incorporating not only current recommendations but also facilitating future development, was supplied to Acordis. The effectiveness of these CAD drawings not only impressed the customer, but also facilitated valuable communication between VWR International and Köttermann together with the enlisted sub-contractors throughout the project. By being able to ‘move around’ freely through a proposed layout, design flaws become apparent at the earliest possible stage and could be remedied immediately without incurring cost in terms of time and materials. The professionalism of both the Köttermann and VWR International service and the history of successful projects and supplies between the three partners made the deal a straightforward one.

As the project progressed, specialist services were sub-contracted, often using suppliers known to Acordis. Each of these was able to work with the VWR International project management, providing a one-stop shop solution with all the advantages of using teams of known and trusted sub-contractors. As Ian Blazey of Köttermann adds: "The value of having a single liaison point was clear both to us and to the customer. The significance of having a partner who understood the needs of both supplier and customer, together with experience of laboratory requirements in terms of design, product specifications and overall environment was evident throughout."

VWR International is developing one-stop shop and turnkey solutions for customers all over Europe. This successful project for Acordis, now in its final stages, demonstrates the value of combining established partners, proven experience and strong professional teamwork.