“Yorkon performed very well at every level – from head office to site management. Their attention to detail was excellent and the laboratories were finished to an exceptionally high standard." The Requirement The Veterinary Laboratories Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in veterinary scientific research and provides a wide range of animal health consultancy, diagnostic and surveillance services to Government and commercial organisations.VLA The VLA had a requirement for a new, purpose-designed high specification laboratory in Surrey, which would meet the containment and operating requirements for DEFRA Category 4 specified animal pathogens. This would also require a license under the Specified Animals Pathogens Order (SAPO), and protect staff by operating at ACDP Containment Level 3 (Advisory Committee for Dangerous Pathogens). The Solution Yorkon was awarded the £2.5m contract by Shepherd Construction, to manufacture, install and fit out the self-contained laboratory building, which would accommodate new research and diagnostic facilities. The client’s project managers were Cyril Sweett, who are responsible for the project management of a wider redevelopment of the site. The building was manufactured off site in York and delivered on time in a challenging construction period of only six months to meet the VLA’s programme requirements. The modules were delivered to site and installed over one weekend, minimising any disruption to existing operations on the site.