Avantor has opened a new Centralized Service Center (CSC) in Watertown, Massachusetts, expanding its network of centralized laboratory services for research institutions and advanced technology companies. Centralized laboratory services consolidate non-core lab activities—such as media preparation, glassware washing, autoclaving, and chemical management—into specialized off-site facilities. This model supports lab space optimization, enabling labs to reallocate time, equipment, and personnel toward research rather than routine support tasks.
For lab managers facing high space costs, staffing constraints, or growing demand for operational efficiency, expanding these services offers a scalable approach to modernizing workflows and minimizing bottlenecks in daily operations.
A new service model to support expanding research needs
Avantor describes the Watertown CSC as a response to the ongoing shortage of research space across the Greater Boston region, where scientific organizations face increasing pressure to expand R&D capacity while managing rising facility costs. The CSC provides outsourced lab operations that allow organizations to reclaim valuable square footage by relocating support functions that traditionally occupy bench space.
According to the announcement, the center offers specialized capabilities in glassware washing, autoclaving, media and buffer preparation, and chemical management. These services help stabilize workflows for labs that handle large volumes of consumables or require consistent, compliant preparation of materials for experimental work.
Tola Olorunnisola, senior vice president and general manager of advanced laboratory services at Avantor, emphasized the demand for scalable and adaptable service models. “Our customers are facing unprecedented demand for research space and efficiency. This approach, designed to be scalable and adaptable for organizations across the life sciences sector, ensures labs can reclaim space and redirect resources to research and discovery,” he said.
Operational benefits for lab managers
The facility integrates several tools designed to reinforce accuracy, traceability, and compliance—critical priorities for lab managers evaluating centralized laboratory services. SmartShelves and asset-tracking systems support auditable inventory control, while daily logistics operations ensure that consumables, prepared materials, and sterilized equipment move efficiently between the CSC and client sites.
These capabilities reduce operational complexity, especially for labs that struggle with overextended staff, inconsistent support workflows, or limited facility infrastructure. By consolidating routine tasks off-site, labs can minimize downtime, improve turnover rates for critical equipment such as glassware, and ensure reliable preparation of media and buffers.
The ability to externalize these services also strengthens lab space optimization efforts. Facilities that move washing, prep, or chemical management into a centralized service model often repurpose reclaimed space for instrument expansion, sample processing, or additional research personnel—decisions that directly impact scientific output.
How centralized laboratory services support long-term efficiency
For labs experiencing rapid growth, inconsistent staffing, or increasing regulatory demands, outsourced lab operations can support long-term resilience. A fully integrated support network helps stabilize quality control processes, absorbs demand fluctuations, and reduces the administrative burden of managing multiple service contracts or internal support roles.
Avantor positions the Watertown CSC within a broader global network designed to scale with customer needs. From consumables management to equipment tracking, these centralized laboratory services allow organizations to tailor support levels as research programs evolve.
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How centralized laboratory services can strengthen lab performance
Lab managers evaluating ways to expand capacity, reduce facility constraints, or strengthen operational consistency can benefit from the capabilities offered by centralized laboratory services. By adopting models like Avantor’s Watertown CSC, labs can reduce equipment strain, reclaim square footage, and streamline support processes that would otherwise consume valuable time and staff resources. The expansion of outsourced lab operations provides a practical pathway for managers seeking to enhance workflow stability, compliance, and research productivity.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
