AstraZeneca’s objective 

To expand its existing asthma medicine production capacity. 

Background

AstraZeneca is the global sole supplier to China of a primary respiratory product used in the treatment of asthma.

In response to a growth in demand from China for respiratory treatments, AstraZeneca Australia committed to the expansion of its medicine production capacity.

Johnstaff’s role

AstraZeneca engaged Johnstaff to provide Construction Management services for the installation of three new manufacturing lines for its Pulmicort Respules ™ product: Respules 12, 13 and 14.  
Following the successful commencement of the initial lines, Johnstaff was engaged to deliver a fourth line, Respules 15.  

The scope of this project included all building and engineering works associated with the installation of the new lines, as well as all associated support and ancillary spaces over three levels.

Our role included advising on buildability, programme and costing, and providing full Construction Services. This included supervising more than 40 direct trade contracts and 10 specialist equipment installation contracts. It also involved managing and coordinating facility commissioning and validation.

Addressing the issues

As AstraZeneca’s existing facility remained in operation 24/7, meticulous planning, coordination and expert programming was required to ensure successful delivery without compromising AstraZeneca’s operations or production output. 

To fast track the completion of the project, Johnstaff’s team worked double shifts for five months. Johnstaff was also engaged to undertake strengthening of the concrete slab to cater for the increased weight of new equipment.

map of the project location

Outcomes

  • Four Respules manufacturing lines built

  • No disruption to existing operations or production output

  • Each Respules line has the capacity to produce more than 70 million units per year