Business executives, scientifically-rained managers and entrepreneurially-inclined individuals sometimes miss the target when locating new facilities. Common mistakes include getting bogged down in excessive detail or making hasty decisions. In either case, the consequence of a poor choice undermines the project mission.
This article examines location decisions within the often misunderstood world of converging technologies. Complex technology doesn’t necessarily mean complex decisions when it comes to location. Below you will find a discussion of Bioconvergence and a stepped approach for making the right location decision.
What is Bioconvergence?
Bioconvergence is a term applied to companies, or “clusters” of companies, that create products through the synthesis or integration of biotech and nanotech technologies and practices. By extension, a myriad of support businesses and technology industries in formative stages are likewise finding their way into the Bioconvergence arena.
Technology transfer between existing and emerging pharmaceutical, fine chemical, robotics, advanced materials, energy and IT organizations has been at the center of many Bioconvergence company initiatives. Devices and products emerging from these collaborations include medical robotics and nano-robots, biosensors, biophotonics, biometrics, biochips (also referred to as “Labs on a Chip”), self healing paints, self healing clothing and clothing with diagnostic capabilities.
Location Factors Behind Clustering
At the root of Bioconvergence is the exchange of information related to scientific research and product and production technologies. The question arises: Does geographic clustering of facilities play a part in stimulating Bioconvergence investment? The short answer is, “It depends.”
Proximity to centers of knowledge often plays a role in growing the seeds of innovation and there is much historic evidence to support this argument. A major driver of investment decisions at the turn of the last century, for example, was the geographic agglomeration of divergent industrial sectors around new products. Coopers and awning makers proved surprisingly good at fabricating parts for early automobiles. Great cities grew as a result and with growth came reinforcement of these cities as magnets for investment.
A counter argument to geographic clustering is that the ease by which information and goods move in a global economy renders agglomeration unnecessary. It is not unusual today to see components manufactured on the other side of the world (not the other side of the street as once was the case) that are of complex design and production technique, produced to the highest standards, and delivered just-in-time through a global supply chain. There are, in fact, Bioconvergence success stories that can claim similar achievements. Convergence built strictly on professional relationships can trump geographic proximity. In such cases professional meetings and industry forums may be the catalyst for the exchange of ideas. While advancing ideas to the market may require in-depth collaboration, this can often be accomplished remotely over networked computing platforms.
Dr. Kim Parnell, of Parnell Engineering and Consulting, Stanford, California, a proponent of nano-bioconvergence, states that it may be possible for smaller, agile and highly focused organizations to be located in areas remote from other Bioconvergence ventures. He warns, however, that locating away from the think-tank atmosphere of a Bioconvergence cluster may limit future growth and collaboration.
Degrees of Clustering
Whether a Bioconvergence initiative is better off locating within a knowledge cluster, or can thrive remotely, depends on the technology platform at its base.
At the center of many Bioconvergence initiatives are rapidly transforming technologies that accelerate the adaptation of new products unimaginable just a few years ago. If the rate of technologic change is rapid, then it is better to stay geographically close to where the change is occurring.
Dr. Parnell says, “Many firms relying on products generated from stem cell research have targeted certain areas in Singapore because of the synergies and underlying growth of that knowledge base.” He adds, “Singapore is also attractive because leaders there support collaborative ventures through laws and other business practices that might not be feasible elsewhere.” Dr. Parnell mentions that Bioconvergence development and production facilities are springing up in mainland China, Hong Kong, and in several areas of the United Kingdom.
Location Selection Process
When facing the challenge of selecting a location for Bioconvergence facilities, the first task should be to adopt a selection process that provides a proven methodology for success. The five- step process outlined below is a time-tested approach that, when carefully followed, will consistently yield reliable and favorable results.
1. Establish the Project Team: Planning a new facility typically involves many parts of the organization including purchasing, finance, marketing, production management, human resources and operations. It is only logical that representatives from each of these disciplines be involved in location selection. One or two team members should be assigned to the project and given primary responsibility for gathering and analyzing data and for presenting results to the rest of the group. It is essential that team leaders are given sufficient time away from other tasks to manage the project. A sure formula for failure is to overload team members with too much work unrelated to the location process.
2. Define the Project: Each team member should develop a list of factors they believe are important to the success of the facility. At this initial stage the possible demands of technologic change should be defined both in terms of space requirements and support considerations. Among the issues to be defined are the following:
Access to researchers and research materials
Availability of professional staff and workers
Clustering needs of complementary and needed collaborators
Access to specific venture capital
Legislative and legal environments supportive of the product, methods or materials
Community is suitable for attracting and retaining key staff thatare highly skilled, specialized and compensated
Health and safety resources appropriate for the technologies being employed are available
Venture capital sources who are visionary and in-tune with the risks and benefits of Bioconvergence technologies
Occupancy costs, terms and conditions
Opportunity for expansion
3. Identify and Evaluate Location Alternatives: Once the project is defined the next step is to narrow the search from a large number of alternatives to a smaller number of viable options. The project team will first develop a long list of options based on the requirements defined earlier. A good approach for weighing the merits of one location versus another is to develop a series of spreadsheets that list the attributes of each location in a side-by-side format. A successful effort will produce team consensus on a short list of alternatives which will be studied in more detail in the next phase.
4. Analyze Short List Community/Real Estate Alternatives: Day-to-day operation of a facility is by its nature interdependent with the community and physical environment in which it exists. Only locations that reliably and efficiently support the mission of the facility have a high likelihood of success. An analysis of short list alternatives requires spending time “on the ground” at each location. A careful assessment of local conditions through field observation and other documentation is important.
5. Conduct Due Diligence / Negotiate Terms: With a short list of two viable alternatives in hand, thoughts now turn to verifying that each option is truly suitable for the project. Investigation of conditions and negotiation of agreements are part of what is called the “due diligence” process. The purpose of this effort is to ensure that the project can move forward at the selected location within time and cost limits established by the team.
Look for the Best Fit
With careful planning a location choice can be a positive force in growing the enterprise. Shortsighted decision can sink a company.
There is no perfect location. Through careful study, however, the location that provides the best fit, and consequently the best chance for long-term success, can be found. The objective is to find that location supports required opportunities for collaboration and growth and does so within a stable and supporting operating environment.
Outline of Typical Steps Suggested for Considering Sites, such as Bioconvergence:
Step 1: Study Methodology – Establish Objectives and Develop Location Requirements. Identify the study objectives and develop the location requirements necessary to initiate the location study for the proposed facility:
Pre-Established Location Criteria:
Property specifications
Transportation requirements
Labor characteristics
Operating schedules
Inter-facility movements
Site size, configuration
Desired site environment, image
Utility requirements
Step 2: Evaluate Location Alternatives – Favorable Area Definition Analysis. Based on a comparison of regional operating conditions, define the geographic area that will minimize one-time and annual operating costs and project risks.
Step 3: Community Screening - Community / Property Evaluation. Through a detailed screening analysis, identify the community and site that best meet the operating requirements of the proposed facility.
Typical community visit agenda…How business-friendly is the community?
Community orientation and characteristics
Labor force considerations
Local wage and benefit structure
Recruiting practices
Work ethic
Workers with Nanotech, biotech, related and complementary technology background
Availability of skilled workers
Availability of unskilled workers
Important job classifications for staff (includes highest- to lowest- skilled)
Partners/principals or hierarchical
Sr. researchers and scientists
Technicians
Maintenance mechanics – highly specialized
Maintenance – other
Quality control (i.e. inspectors)
Machine operations
Materials movement
Material handlers
General production, processing
Clean-up
Labor/management relations
Training resources
Current technology/industrial base/future prospects
Industry mix
Available sites/buildings
Environmental regulations
Community attitude/development trends
Quality of life
Industrial support services
Technical schools
Water and sewer infrastructure
Regional highway network
Commercial air service
Confidential interviews with local employers
Meeting with utility companies and public works departments
Electric power availability/reliability considerations
Distance to sub-station(s)
System capacity (reserve capacity)
Condition of infrastructure
Feasibility of dual feed
Cost of infrastructure improvements
Surrounding power users
Service history
Incentives (rates, infrastructure)
Natural gas availability/reliability
Municipal water considerations
Water quality (surface/ground source)
Water quality report/chemical analysis
System capacity(current/future)
Connection fees, costs, surcharges
Water pressure
Effluent treatment capacity (BOD, TSS)
Future expansion of the system
Sanitary sewer availability
Visit candidate sites / buildings to check out property characteristics:
Site size and configuration
Site considerations
Ready-to-Go site considerations:
Co-located or stand alone
Five to 100 acres
Utility served
Transportation access, road and rail
Suitable soils, drainage
Proper zoning
Compatible neighbors
Free of contamination
Willing sellers
Ready-to-Go building considerations
Site access
Site image/compatibility
Site environmental manmade/natural hazards
Parking
Telecommunications
Wi-Fi
Amenities
University/college/technical school /community college visits
Community “quality of life” tour
Review development incentives
Wrap-up meeting to discuss further information
Step 4: Property Due Diligence and Detailed Incentive Negotiations. The Community/ Property study will produce a list of Due Diligence requirements for finalist locations.
Due Diligence Services include management of activities needed to ensure the project can go forward with reasonable cost, schedule and risk:
Arrange Contract Services
Environmental Testing
Boundary Survey
Title Search
Geo-tech (foundations!)
Archeological
Traffic Study
Review zoning, building codes
Establish Permitting Schedule
Review Utility Services
Initiate development incentives and agreements through a systematic and expedited process of discovery, negotiation and contract development
Identify incentive program
Develop project “wish list”
Hiring assistance
Work force training
State corporate tax deferment
Local property tax abatement
Alternative financing
Low interest loans
Infrastructure improvements
Site development
Free land
Prepare negotiating strategy
Analyze offers from state, local and private organizations
Negotiate final agreement and prepare Memorandum of Understanding
Complete incentive agreements and audit programs
Complete program applications and attend public meetings to gain approvals
Prepare a Post Implementation Binder documenting programs and detailing compliance requirements including “clawbacks”
Intervene with state and local organizations as required to ensure incentives are received
Monitor state and local organizations to identify new programs that will benefit the client
Step 5: Select Final Location / Property Acquisition and Implementation. Assist in real estate transaction/property acquisition:
Initiate options on finalist properties
Negotiate lease and sale contracts
Coordinate real estate process
Implement project
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