
Fast-Tracking Innovation: The Successful Delivery of GE Healthcare's Advanced Cleanroom Facility
Merit was appointed by GE Healthcare as the Principal Contractor for the design and delivery of a new 3,000m2 ISO 7 cleanroom suite. This project included comprehensive mechacnial and electrical installations, process services and necessary fit-out work, complemented by associated civil and steelwork.
Located at The Maynard Centre, this facility is designed to produce 6,000 consumable products each year that are essential for detecting, labelling, purifying, amplifying and analysing DNA and proteins. The Maynard Centre is not only the global headquarters for GE Healthcare’s Cell BioProcessing business but also houses a state-of-the-art stem cell laboratory, recognised by GE Healthcare as a Centre of Excellence.
Merit faced the challenge of delivering a fast-tracked facility with an aggressive timeline, needing to transition quickly from the concept design stage to a fully validated cleanroom. The project involved refurbishing an existing building, which required innovative design solutions to meet the specific User Requirement Strategy within a confined space.
Recognising the importance of adhering to the strict schedule, Merit successfully completed all project milestones, demonstrating flexibility and a deep understanding of the facility's needs. A key achievement was the rapid completion of the design phase, finalised within just eight weeks of receiving the letter of intent. Through meticulous planning and a commitment to quality, Merit ensured that the facility was ready for beneficial occupancy and production equipment installations, ultimately enabling a seamless transition for manufacturing capabilities.
- Client
- GE Healthcare
- Location
- Cardiff
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Project
- Design and Construction of new ISO 7 Cleanroom
Key Features
- Facility Purpose: Design and build of a 3,000m2 ISO 7 Cleanroom suite, enabling the manufacture of 6,000 consumable products annually for DNA and protein analysis.
- Fast-Tracked Timeline: Completed in just 39 weeks from concept design to validation in just a few months
- Scheme design completed through collaborative workshop meetings, reviews and sign-off with entire GE team.
- Accelerated Design & Procurement: Merit completed fully design within 8 weeks of the letter of intent.

Key Outcomes
- Critical Milestone Achieved: Timely completion of the facility to accommodate the closure of GE Healthcare’s US facility
- Fast track project was delivered on time, to ensure that 10,000 multifaceted customers would be supplied with clinical consumables.
- The new facility will enable 6,000 consumable products to be manufactured every year which detect, label, purify, amplify and analyse DNA and proteins.
