Julien Rigot's Story
Keeping the World’s Largest Machine Running: A Conversation with Julien Rigot of Serco at CERN
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Understanding the Shutdown
“The Long Shutdown is a planned and necessary pause,” says Julien Rigot. “It allows CERN to carry out critical renovation and upgrade works on the LHC and associated infrastructure.”
The scope of LS3 is considerable. Dozens of superconducting magnets, which guide high-energy particles around the collider’s 27-kilometre ring, are due for replacement. Two entirely new technical installations are being constructed to improve the machine’s performance. Before any of this can begin, the accelerator must be brought up from its operating temperature of –271°C. Warming it will take three months. Cooling it back down once work is complete will take six.
During the shutdown, over 6,000 work orders will be processed, including some 75,000 hours of cryogenic maintenance. More than 1,200 spare parts orders will be placed, and the entire cryogenic compression system will be dismantled and shipped off site for servicing. It is, as Julien Rigot puts it, “open-heart surgery on one of the most complex machines ever built”.
The scope of LS3 is considerable. Dozens of superconducting magnets, which guide high-energy particles around the collider’s 27-kilometre ring, are due for replacement. Two entirely new technical installations are being constructed to improve the machine’s performance. Before any of this can begin, the accelerator must be brought up from its operating temperature of –271°C. Warming it will take three months. Cooling it back down once work is complete will take six.
During the shutdown, over 6,000 work orders will be processed, including some 75,000 hours of cryogenic maintenance. More than 1,200 spare parts orders will be placed, and the entire cryogenic compression system will be dismantled and shipped off site for servicing. It is, as Julien Rigot puts it, “open-heart surgery on one of the most complex machines ever built”.
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The Hidden Infrastructure
Alongside the physics, a vast logistical operation is required. Serco’s logistics team is responsible for supporting CERN’s storage, inventory and movement of materials across the campus. This work intensifies significantly during a shutdown.
“Activity levels will triple during LS3,” Julien Rigot explains. “We’ll be handling components that are over 25 metres long, weighing several dozen tonnes, with a unit value sometimes exceeding €3 million.”
To prepare, Serco has been working with CERN to reorganise storage areas, retire obsolete stock and create space for incoming equipment. Additional storage zones have been planned to cope with the increased volume. At the same time, teams are auditing existing equipment, forecasting demand and identifying priorities for delivery and installation.
“Activity levels will triple during LS3,” Julien Rigot explains. “We’ll be handling components that are over 25 metres long, weighing several dozen tonnes, with a unit value sometimes exceeding €3 million.”
To prepare, Serco has been working with CERN to reorganise storage areas, retire obsolete stock and create space for incoming equipment. Additional storage zones have been planned to cope with the increased volume. At the same time, teams are auditing existing equipment, forecasting demand and identifying priorities for delivery and installation.
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Learning from Experience
While this will be the first Long Shutdown for Serco’s logistics contract, other Serco teams on site are no strangers to the challenge. Technical contracts such as cryogenic support and technical services have already supported two previous shutdowns and are now sharing their experience to help ensure LS3 runs smoothly across all activities.
“We’re coordinating best practice sessions between contracts, combining what’s worked in the past with what needs to be adapted for LS3,” says Julien Rigot. “We’re also introducing Lean approaches and operational excellence initiatives where appropriate, to help streamline delivery and support cross-team alignment.”
The aim is to apply lessons learned, enhance resilience, and ensure all parts of the operation are working in harmony with CERN’s expectations and priorities.
With a focus on serving governments globally, Serco’s services span justice, immigration, defence, space, citizen services, health, and transport.
“We’re coordinating best practice sessions between contracts, combining what’s worked in the past with what needs to be adapted for LS3,” says Julien Rigot. “We’re also introducing Lean approaches and operational excellence initiatives where appropriate, to help streamline delivery and support cross-team alignment.”
The aim is to apply lessons learned, enhance resilience, and ensure all parts of the operation are working in harmony with CERN’s expectations and priorities.
With a focus on serving governments globally, Serco’s services span justice, immigration, defence, space, citizen services, health, and transport.