What it Takes to Launch a Modern Supply Chain Operation
From blueprint to go-live: inside the work behind our Santa Ana Global Supply Chain Center
A few weeks ago, we shared the story behind our new 86,500-square-foot Global Supply Chain Center (GSCC) in Santa Ana, California, and why logistics is the foundation of our long-term growth strategy. From experience in Morris Plans, New Jersey, USA; Houston, Texas, USA; and Louvres (Paris), France, we know launching a modern supply chain operation is about far more than opening a building. A facility may represent the physical footprint, but true operational readiness is measured by systems, processes, people, equipment, compliance, and execution. A facility may represent the physical footprint, but true operational readiness is measured by systems, processes, people, equipment, compliance, and execution.
As we move closer to launch on August 17, 2026, the Santa Ana facility is transitioning from a construction project to an operational asset representing a milestone that required months of coordinated work across engineering, facilities, operations, product, quality, IT, and supply chain teams.
Beyond Construction
One of the biggest misconceptions about opening a logistics facility is that the project is complete once construction crews leave the site. At Santa Ana, construction activities for Phase 1 have been completed, allowing teams to focus on the current critical stage: qualification, operational readiness, and final preparations for go-live.
The transition from a finished facility to a functioning logistics operation requires rigorous testing and validation to ensure systems perform as intended and are ready to support customer needs from Day One.
Building the Infrastructure Behind the Infrastructure
Modern supply chain operations depend on specialized infrastructure that often remains invisible to customers but is essential to operational success.
Over the past several months, teams have completed major infrastructure milestones at the Santa Ana facility, including:
- Installation and commissioning of critical facility systems
- Approval, inspection, and activation of the site’s liquid nitrogen (LN2) tank and supporting infrastructure
- Establishment of operational workstations and supporting technology
- Installation of office and workplace furnishings to support daily operations
- Completion of facility and equipment qualification activities now being documented and finalized.
These milestones represent the foundational elements that allow a supply chain center to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.
Readiness Means Details
Launching a logistics operation requires attention to thousands of individual details.
As the facility moves toward full operational readiness, teams are completing final permitting activities, documenting qualification results, conducting operational walkthroughs, and validating processes before launch. Among the final milestones are completion of remaining fire safety permit approvals, occupancy certification activities, equipment transfers, and operational qualification efforts.
This stage may not be as visible as steel going up or equipment arriving on site, but it is one of the most important phases of the entire project. Global Supply Chain Center readiness is earned through preparation.
Designed for Day One—and Beyond
As we discussed in our initial announcement, while Phase 1 is focused on logistics operations, the Santa Ana location was never envisioned as a short-term project.
The facility was designed as the first step in a broader development strategy. The Santa Ana Global Supply Chain Center will ultimately house our BioServices and biostorage, IntegriCell® cryopreservation services, consulting and product development under one roof.
Plans for these future phases are already moving forward, with design and planning activities underway for additional capabilities that will expand the site’s role within our network. Phase 2 development planning continues with engineering reviews, city permitting activities, long-lead equipment procurement, and infrastructure planning already in motion.
This phased approach allows us to bring immediate logistics value online while creating a platform for future growth.
Approaching Go-Live
Every successful supply chain operation reaches a moment where months of planning and execution come together and for our Santa Ana GSCC, that moment is quickly approaching.
With construction complete, operational systems active, qualification activities advancing, and final approvals underway, the facility is entering its final stage of preparation ahead of its August 17th launch.
What customers and partners will ultimately see is a high-performing logistics operation. What they may not see is the extensive work behind the scenes that made it possible.
But that’s the nature of great supply chains…when they’re operating at their best, they simply work. And in Santa Ana, we’re building a strong logistics foundation today and a platform for even greater capabilities tomorrow.
