LCS Constructors, Inc. Checks in With SGS North America One Year After Construction

HOUSTON, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- LCS Constructors, Inc. (LCS) served as the design-builder for the state-of-the-art laboratory facility for SGS North America (SGS). The new SGS facility provides comprehensive laboratory testing services to support regional and global customers.

LCS started the SGS project in 2008 with a three month design schedule followed by nine months of construction; the entire $8.3 million dollar project was taken from concept to completion in just twelve months. LCS put extensive effort into ensuring that the new lab was as future-proof as possible, with advanced production and analytical equipment that allows for technical specialists to adapt to continually changing market requirements. The lab is equipped with the latest testing equipment, giving SGS the unique ability to facilitate the development of proven, tested and guaranteed compatible results.

The two building facility is assisting SGS in keeping its promise to provide customers with next generation materials development and compatibility testing. The buildings occupy 17,940 square feet and house primarily lab space, with a small amount of space dedicated to administrative offices and storage. The project consisted of tilt-wall construction with high interstitial space to accommodate extensive laboratory support services. This allows for additional development and testing capabilities, rendering the laboratory one of the most modern and technically advanced centers in the world.

The new SGS facility has specialty areas for crude assay capabilities and a stand alone octane lab. It was also designed with underground detention versus surface detention allowing the owner available land for the possibility of future expansion. Additionally, the design of the facility allows for deliveries to be made in a safe manner with a one way circulation from the entrance to the exit for customer sample deliveries and other deliveries such as specialty gases including nitrogen, hydrogen and argon.

Checking in one year after construction, the facility is operating efficiently. According to Shekh Bhise, Vice President of SGS North America Laboratory Services, "this project was a great success since both SGS and LCS worked as true partners from start to finish." Bhise also stated that the project was completed "on budget" with due diligence, weekly meetings and updates, and review of competitive bids from subcontractors. "LCS was a great contractor to work-with before, during and after the project as all issues were handled professionally and satisfactorily. The whole project was challenging and educational, but at the same time, a rewarding and pleasant experience for me," said Bhise.

LCS has served laboratories and technical facilities for more than 20 years including over 3,000 facilities and with each project, LCS is committed to safety. It took 77,934 man hours to complete this project which was successfully concluded without incident. The dedication of both LCS and SGS to site safety demonstrated that individuals can achieve safety and effectively complete a project.

SOURCE LCS Constructors, Inc.