MMR and Saint Louis University: A Partnership with All the Right Moves
(a case study)
As Saint Louis University prepared for one of its most complex moves ever, the venerable institution knew it needed a company that was capable, experienced, and willing to take on such a monumental task.
The phased move would bring hundreds of researchers, staff, and faculty – located in six different buildings – under one roof: the Edward A. Doisy Research Center. This 206,000-square foot building includes a 10-story research tower that houses research labs, administrative space, conference rooms, and lab support spaces. The Center also features a two-story clinical trials unit that will include a center for vaccine development.
Craig Dixson, SLU’s assistant director of design and construction, knew why a well-coordinated move was so important.
“We have to carefully coordinate researchers’ schedules and equipment to make sure that there are no major disruptions to their work,” said Dixson. “So, we knew that we had to have a partner who not only could handle the move logistics, but one who had experience transporting lab equipment, such as freezers, incubators, lasers, and X-ray machines. And, we had to have someone driven by customer service.”
Enter Emmett Holmes and Move Management Resources, LLC (MMR).
Holmes, Principal of MMR, is no stranger to the industry. He’s been in the business for more than 16 years, working for other companies for much of that time. But all the while, he was a savvy student, learning all of the details and nuances of move management, rising through the management ranks, and developing a reputation with customers as an outstanding business partner. With nearly two decades of experience under his belt and several avid supporters in his corner, Emmett took the plunge into business ownership in 2007 when he founded Move Management Resources.
Some might consider it presumptuous – perhaps even a little naïve – for a start-up organization to bid on such a significant piece of business as the SLU Research Center move, especially considering that other contenders were larger businesses that had been around for many more years. But, doubters don’t know Emmett Holmes.
“Confidence is something we preach at MMR all the time,” says Emmett. “If we’re taking time to bid, then we’re confident we’re going to win. Period.”
And win they did. On July 1, SLU selected MMR over several other move management firms that responded to SLU’s request for proposal. In the end, the same characteristics that helped guide Emmett’s career when he worked for other companies helped MMR seal the deal.
“What really made MMR stand out was their expertise, outstanding customer service, and great attention to detail … they dot their i’s and cross their t’s,” said Dustin Montgomery, SLU’s project coordinator, new construction and renovations. “Plus, they had proven experience in moving laboratories and the client references they provided gave us tremendous ease.
“Emmett is such a go-getter,” added Montgomery. “There’s not a time in the day when I call that he doesn’t pick up the phone. It’s never happened, but I swear if I called at midnight, he’d answer the phone. Emmett’s desire and determination and hunger were evident from the start. He wanted to get in here and show us what he and his team are capable of.”
Emmett advises new business owners who are on the hunt for major contracts to always maintain that same level of hunger and confidence and commitment to service.
“Don’t be afraid of success,” he says. “If you’ve been successful working for someone else and know deep down that you desire to branch out on your own, believe that you can do it.”
Reprinted Courtesy of
St. Louis Minority Business Council
Monsanto
MMR has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Monsanto Corporation dating back to 2008 whenMMR became Monsanto’s sole move management provider. We’ve been responsible for relocations of all sizes across a variety of facilities and multiple campuses. Known for its precise guidelines and advance tracking mechanisms, Monsanto provides its vendors with some of the most intricate and valuable feedback. At Monsanto, MMR enjoys one of the highest ratings a vendor there can receive and has a spotless safety record.
BJC HealthCare
MMR is proud to enjoy a satisfying and enduring relationship with BJC HealthCare. We’ve proven our value with a number of high impact relocations including:
- Missouri Baptist East Pavilion (225,000 sq. ft.)
- Christian N.E. Hospital (204,000 sq. ft.)
- Barnes Jewish W. County (48,000 sq. ft.)
Among our proudest moments is the Christian Northeast Hospital Air Handler Replacement Project. This project spanned the better part of a year and involved the relocation and inventory of all patient rooms, nurse stations and labs on every floor throughout the duration construction. In all, 184,000 sq. feet of inventory was moved across the building’s 11 floors.
St. Anthony’s Medical Center
Our St. Anthony’s Medical Center Expansion/Renovation Project work is one that the client speaks highly of even today. Over the span of a three year contract, we moved 218,000 square feet in expansion and renovation, including 64 private patient rooms; 34 renovated patient rooms; 10 operating rooms; 14 renovated operating rooms; 11 renovated intravascular procedure rooms; a 6 bed dialysis unit and 16 treatment room pediatric emergency department and support spaces. We also provided coordination, inventory of all FFE, corresponded to owners’ requests to ensure proper delivery to destinations.
