Quest Diagnostics has invested millions of dollars in two new logistics centers in Kansas and Florida in order to take management of the nation’s largest laboratory to what officials described as the “next level.” The centers, in Tampa, Fla., and Lenexa, Kan., will build on existing Quest operations in both cities. Quest has a particularly strong presence in Florida, with clinical labs in Tampa, Miramar, and Orlando, as well as several dermatological pathology-focused labs and offices. The 48,000-square-foot Tampa center, which will lead to the hiring of 350 new employees over the next year, includes a monitoring hub that will track both air and ground operations for Quest across the United States. The hub features a 250-square-foot display for viewing the transit of patient specimens in near real time from one of Quest’s 2,200 patient service centers and other patient locations in the United States. It also will be able to monitor the company’s fleet of 3,000 vehicles and 20 aircraft. “In the past, these functions were spread out in different areas of the U.S. By concentrating these capabilities in two state-of-the-art centers, we can standardize services and introduce new ones like best-in-class quality management and Web-based dispatch,” said Quest […]
Quest Diagnostics has invested millions of dollars in two new logistics centers in Kansas and Florida in order to take management of the nation’s largest laboratory to what officials described as the “next level.”
The centers, in Tampa, Fla., and Lenexa, Kan., will build on existing Quest operations in both cities. Quest has a particularly strong presence in Florida, with clinical labs in Tampa, Miramar, and Orlando, as well as several dermatological pathology-focused labs and offices.
The 48,000-square-foot Tampa center, which will lead to the hiring of 350 new employees over the next year, includes a monitoring hub that will track both air and ground operations for Quest across the United States. The hub features a 250-square-foot display for viewing the transit of patient specimens in near real time from one of Quest’s 2,200 patient service centers and other patient locations in the United States. It also will be able to monitor the company’s fleet of 3,000 vehicles and 20 aircraft.
“In the past, these functions were spread out in different areas of the U.S. By concentrating these capabilities in two state-of-the-art centers, we can standardize services and introduce new ones like best-in-class quality management and Web-based dispatch,” said Quest spokesperson Wendy Bost.
The need for improved logistics has been growing in the laboratory business in recent years, as many labs are competing on speedier turnaround times and the quality of their courier services. Many labs have been using GPS tracking and other methods to keep closer tabs on drivers and to ensure specimens arrive for testing intact.
Quest is spending $9.3 million on the Tampa facility, which will also contain much of the company’s human resources division, Bost said.
The company’s outlay for the 78,000-square-foot Lenexa facility, which is in a leased building, was unavailable. Some 550 new employees will be hired in Kansas.
The Florida facility is being touted for political points. “Quest Diagnostics’ investment in the Tampa Bay region is great news for Florida families. These 350 new jobs will mean more Floridians will be able to provide for their family and live the American Dream,” said Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
“This new facility will enhance our economic vitality and professional career opportunities, and strengthen our reputation as a center of commerce and innovation in health care,” said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
Takeaway: Quest Diagnostics is making a significant investment in improving the overall logistics of its operations.
