On Wednesday, June 26, 2024; Cyma Builders & it’s trade partners working on the Almac NAHQ Expansion Project held a steel topping out ceremony. This is a timeless tradition, in which the last major piece of steel is placed on a project. It marks a major milestone for the project!
Contractor’s & Client personnel attended the event & lunch after the piece of steel was erected.
Cyma Builders looks forward to the next set of milestones on this project!
During Cyma’s site safety lunch and learn event for our DSM Seprafilm project, good catch and safety observation report submittals by contractors were recognized. Safety lunch and learn sessions this month focused on a variety of topics pertinent to specific issues at hand on site in addition to a mandatory “Focus Topic” which serves as an opportunity for contractors to fulfill OSHA compliance obligations in addition to refresh on key concepts and practices. For the month of July, the Focus Topic was on Blood Borne Pathogens Awareness and Exposure Control Planning.
For this project, we transformed a warehouse into a state-of-the-art dynamic laboratory space, complete with new lab areas, mechanical mezzanines, and upgraded utilities.
The project encompassed diverse construction and renovation tasks to meet the client’s requirements. Central to the transformation was the creation of new lab spaces, including supporting facilities like restrooms and a loading dock area. Key features of the fitout included a 10,000 square foot mezzanine that required robust footings and steel dunnage. The new mezzanine was constructed to accommodate essential mechanical equipment such as rooftop exhaust fans and air handler units. Extensive ductwork ensured efficient airflow and ventilation throughout the facility.
Upgrades to the electrical service were crucial, necessitating collaboration with utility companies and ownership for installation of new distribution gear and dedicated panels for lab equipment. Additionally, new drainage and utility systems, including gas services, were integrated to support lab operations.
Despite challenges like excavating and installing mezzanine footings and coordinating utility upgrades with local authorities, the project excelled. Through meticulous planning and innovative solutions, disruptions were minimized, ensuring seamless operations. We are very pleased that the project not only met but exceeded the expectations of the client, providing a versatile and state-of-the-art research environment for years to come.
Cyma Builders proudly announces the successful completion of Phase 2 at August Bioservices, marking a milestone in our commitment to construction excellence and client satisfaction.
Expanding GMP Production Spaces and cGMP Warehouse Capacity
The primary objective of Phase 2 was to augment the existing GMP production spaces and cGMP warehouse capacity at the facility. This involved constructing and finalizing the cGMP warehouse, completing CNC and Process corridors, and installing necessary MEP infrastructure.
The culmination of Phase 2 resulted in several key accomplishments:
These enhancements provide the foundation for improved operational efficiency and capacity expansion, empowering August Bioservices to meet growing demands and advance their mission.
Overcoming Challenges with Precision and Expertise
Despite challenges, such as the presence of extensive limestone bedrock and the proximity to the Colonial Natural Gas Pipeline, we successfully executed blasting activities. This was achieved through meticulous planning and collaboration with subcontractors and pipeline owners, ensuring zero incidents.
Following blasting operations, we swiftly transitioned to constructing the building shell using a steel superstructure with precast panels for durability. Simultaneously, interior fit-out work commenced on the warehouse, and despite supply chain delays, our proactive approach and strategic partnerships mitigated potential setbacks.
Looking Ahead: Phase 3 and Beyond
As we celebrate Phase 2’s success, we look forward to Phase 3’s growth. Scheduled to start in late Q1, it will introduce two formulation suites for custom filling lines. Our team remains dedicated to delivering excellence at every stage of the project, driving innovation and progress in the field of construction.
The successful completion of Phase 2 at August Bioservices underscores our commitment to quality, safety, and client satisfaction. We extend gratitude to stakeholders for their collaboration, shaping the future of construction excellence. Stay tuned for updates as we proceed to the next phase!
For inquiries or to learn more about our services, please visit our website or contact us directly.
Cyma Builders, Almac, & the design partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Almac North American Headquarters Expansion Project (Souderton, PA). This transformative initiative will enhance the existing campus by adding an impressive 113,410 square feet, increasing parking capacity, and implementing substantial site and utility infrastructure improvements.
Read Almac’s announcement of the ceremony here.
Cyma Builders completely renovated an existing pharmaceutical production space for August Bioservices, helping to facilitate their future business goals. The client purchased the facility with the intent of developing an extensive CDMO capability located in the middle of the United States.
The initial step was to revamp the existing facility to enable manufacturing operations while the future buildings were being designed. This involved overhauling the mechanical and electrical systems, and installing new clean process utilities to support the filling process that was intended for the site.
Significant work was also done on the existing equipment mezzanine above the suites, which included removing of AHUs and installing of new ductwork. This was coordinated with other utilities and equipment to ensure clear maintenance access.
Additionally, Cyma assisted the client in arranging for a new electrical service from the public utility company, capable of supporting the increased power needs from the current renovation and future expansion projects.
This project was executed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the project suffered significant challenges related to supply chain issues which affected stainless steel piping, electrical breakers, and mechanical infrastructure.
Cyma Builders successfully completed the GMP production suites for one of our confidential clients! The purpose of this project was to expand upon the facility’s existing GMP production spaces with four new Grade B Gene Therapy suites as well as an additional freezer room.
We are proud to share that our team was not only able to accomplish the expansion successfully, but also overcome the project’s unique challenges in a seamless way.
Creating an Efficient, Workable and Easily Accesible Layout
One of Cyma’s initial tasks was to create an efficient and workable layout while also ensuring that all areas would be easily accessible from the GMP clean room’s walkable ceiling. There was an extensive effort to coordinate all trades in the ceiling and to ensure that all the ductwork, process piping, and mechanical system would be accessible from this ceiling. This was achieved utilizing BIM modeling and coordination sessions for a 10 week period at the onset of the project.
Overall, the client was very happy with the result as it is relatively easy to access anything from the walkable ceiling installed during this portion of the project!
Preventing Covid-Related Equipment Delays and Supply-Chain Disruptions
One of the main challenges of the project was dealing with supply chain disruptions and COVID related delays to the equipment. Cyma created a tracking matrix early in the job and coordinated with subs on all components to try and identify components that suffered delays as quickly as possible. Once they were identified, Cyma worked with the manufacturer to try and mitigate the delay and prevent the component from delaying the overall project.
In the end, Cyma was able to prevent any equipment related delays from affecting the overall delivery and integration of the production suites into the existing facility!
Expanding and Integrating New Infrastructure with Minimal Disruption
Another challenge on the project was actually segregating the project from the existing facility and ensuring there was no impact to existing GMP operations. This was achieved by creating a comprehensive utility shutdown matrix which allowed the facility to see when and how every project related shutdown was being performed on the project, and whether or not it would be disruptive to the facility.
The facility was then able to coordinate with their end users and Cyma to select a date that would have the least impact. During these critical shutdowns, Cyma would draft and circulate a method of procedures to further coordinate with the facilities maintenance team so they would know what tasks were being performed throughout the day of the shutdown.
This process was very helpful to both Cyma and the facility as it allowed the shutdowns to be well planned and adapt to unforeseen circumstances as needed.
Phase 2 Expansion has commenced and is off to an explosive start, both literally and figuratively! Breaking ground on this expansion took on a whole new meaning when the project team utilized explosives to blast through the existing bedrock.
All this effort will eventually lead to the foundation that will house a new aseptic manufacturing facility with the capacity to double their fill/finish capabilities.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
Cyma Builders is proud to announce it successfully completely the first of two (2) manufacturing expansion projects of August Bioservices Nashville manufacturing operations. The first expansion focused on renovating August Bio’s existing facility to increase manufacturing capacity and development capabilities for liquid and lyophilized vial filling, prefilled syringe fillin, IV bags and terminal sterilization.
Together, August Bioservices & Cyma Builders are growing pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nashville, Tennessee!
Watch the video showcasing August Bioservices manufacturing expansion here!
Cyma Builders and Construction Managers was retained by a confidential client to construct a new 12,000 SF R&D laboratory. The lab was designed to be in compliance with current BSL 2 and BSL 2+ biosafety levels to support current and future cell therapy initiatives.
As a part of the overall project, the team was tasked with demolishing an existing production space. This production space was mothballed in the early 2000’s and had not been used since. The demolition included the removal of full height (28’+) CMU partitions that were adjacent to active operations at the facility as well as the existing slab and production mezzanine. After coordinating with the facility, Cyma was able to develop a strategy that allow these areas to stay in operation during the demolition phase while still ensuring the work could proceed on schedule. This was done by transferring the heavy demolition to nights while ensuring that all active areas were vacated before the night shift started. As the demolition progressed, it was discovered that many critical utilities to the facility had been installed in the space since it had been decommissioned. Almost all of these utilities were undocumented and required an extensive survey by the construction team to identify. Cyma was able to perform this survey and coordinate shutdowns to relocate the utilities with minimal impact to the overall project schedule.
After the existing utility issue was addressed, it was discovered that there were a number of existing conditions in the field that would cause a number of structural concerns if the demolition was carried out as per the drawings. Specifically, the existing production mezzanine that was being demolished was actually integral to a large, freestanding CMU wall that was not scheduled to be demolished. The structural elements that were being demolished were part of the structure needed to keep this wall in place. The construction team quickly identified this issue and, with design team assistance, was able to modify the demolition plan to allow part of this mezzanine to remain in place. This change allowed the wall to remain which allowed a critical active area at the facility to remain in service.
Once the demolition was completed, Cyma proceeded to the underground phase of the project. The underground phase involved the installation of new footings, infill of an existing MEP courtyard to bring it up to the finished floor elevation, and the installation of new underground process waste drainage system. The installation of the footings required two substantial excavations to get to the depth required, which was achieved safely and without incident. The new underground process waste drainage consisted of new Asahi double wall piping for all of the new work, and the installation of an FRP reinforced cure in place (CIP) epoxy liner for all existing piping. The pipe lining installation was an extremely difficult task that required surgical, deep excavations in the existing building and outside of the main lobby to perform properly. Unfortunately, it was discovered during the installation that the as-builts that were made available to the project were very inaccurate and not representative of the actual existing pipe routing. Cyma was able to work with their subcontractor to provide alternate options to allow the work to continue despite these hurdles.
After the pipe lining was completed and the new piping was integrated into the process waste system, Cyma proceeded to the structural phase of the project. This involved the construction of a new steel frame to support a new second floor shell space that was being provided as part of the project. The purpose of the shell space was to support a future office fit out and provide mechanical & electrical support spaces for the main project. The structural phase was completed without incident and on schedule, and involved the use of a spyder crane so the structure could be erected safely within the existing building envelope. Once the structure was completed, Cyma proceed to install a new concrete slab on the ground floor as well as on the new second floor. Due to the square footage of floor being installed, the concrete subcontractors advised that they would have to use gas powered equipment indoors during the concrete pour. After coordinating with the subcontractor, Cyma deployed an extensive exhaust system consisting of over 28 exhaust fans to ensure that the exhaust fumes were quickly removed from the space and did not migrate to other areas of the plant. The team actively monitored carbon monoxide inside and outside of the work areas throughout both concrete pours to confirm the solution deployed was having the desired effect.
Now that the structure was complete, the team moved into the fit out phase of the project. The BSL2+ portion of the new labs included a new drywall ceiling as part of it’s final finishes. The client also advised that they wanted to minimize or eliminate the use of any access panels in this space due to concerns with containment in the lab during normal operations. Prior to the fit out phase, Cyma coordinated directly with each subcontractor to ensure that everyone was aware of the constraints with working in the space so they would be properly prepared when the work began. The contractor’s shop drawings were designed in such a way that minimized conflicts between trades in the field and also kept critical devices close to MEP penetrations so access panels would not be necessary. Using this strategy, Cyma was able to complete the fit out in the BSL2+ area without the use of a single access panel. The BSL2 fit out was also coordinated in this manner, however it was much easier to execute since it was in a ACT ceiling.
As the fit out progressed, the client advised that there was significant shortage of both electrical and tele data services to all equipment spaces throughout the space. This issue was discovered approximately four weeks before turnover and involved a significant rework throughout the space. Unfortunately, the rework involved was very extensive and could not be fully completed before the original turnover date. Once the problem was identified, Cyma proceeded to coordinate with it’s subcontractors to identify the critical areas that needed to be completed by the original date. Cyma successfully deployed the changes in these areas while simultaneously ensuring that work was also proceeding in the other areas. The result is that the client was able to open lab on schedule, and the remaining changes were completed approximately two weeks after the original completion date.
There was a significant amount of new infrastructure that was installed as part of the overall project. The new HVAC equipment included the installation of a new 27,000 CFM AHU, seven exhaust fans, a Bag in / Bag Out filter housing for the exhaust stream from the labs, and a number of automated dampers and other control items. The mechanical equipment installed includes a new DI system, HVAC chiller and pumps to backup critical loads, and new gas manifolds for the new CO2 and O2 gas distribution. The electrical infrastructure included a new UPS and ATS to support the new critical lab equipment being installed throughout the space.
It is also important to note that there were a large number of utility shutdowns throughout the project to allow for new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing utilities to be demolished or installed. Cyma was responsible for coordinating each one of these shutdowns with the owner, end users, as well as the facility’s maintenance group. All shutdowns proceeded in a controlled manner and without incident, and Cyma is happy to report that there was no unexpected shutdowns or production / research interruptions throughout the project.
