The construction industry in America is on an upward trend. In 2017 alone, over 8 million people obtained their livelihood from jobs in this sector. Are you planning to invest in new food processing plant design but are unsure of the logistics you really need? Below are critical considerations you should make.
Location Matters
Selecting an appropriate site will significantly influence your operations and strategy. The selection criterion has to incorporate aspects of physical location, labor, and logistics.
The ideal site should be flat with guaranteed access, gas, water, and power. Take note of the existing industrial construction restrictions in your area of preference. Although the food industry has fewer contaminants, you must meet the minimum requirements.
Logistics should also be part of the plan. The accessibility of the site by road or rail is vital. Most of the construction work in a food processing plant will need heavy machinery, so infrastructure must be well-developed.
The location of a processing plant will also affect the availability of labor. Avoid places that are scarcely populated if you need many employees. However, you may also consider automation engineering because it offers a reliable and cost-effective labor option.
Mind the Walls
Dairy industry manufacturing needs a safe and clean environment. Sanitary plant design should incorporate the aspect of internal walls, which reduce cross-contamination.
Raw materials should not mix with finished products. If unsure of the right material to provide an effective barrier, let food processing plant design consultants make the choices for you. Different units of the processing plant should be separated to minimize the contamination risk.
Besides walls, the finish you select also matters. Wet areas should have a finish that is resistant to moisture and chemicals. Additionally, the plant should be protected from dust.
Available Roofing and Flooring Solutions
The roofing material you choose must be durable with effective insulation against excess heat from the sun. Use the newest roofing designs with reflective and absorbent properties that help balance heat in the plant.
It is advisable to adopt industrial flooring solutions that are acceptable in the food processing industry. These flooring options should be durable and easy to clean. Talk to your local project consulting service provider to get recommendations on the best industrial flooring solution.
Protection Against Contamination
Food processing plants are more sensitive to contamination than other manufacturing industries, so higher levels of resistance must be incorporated in the original design.
The walls should be strong and free from cracks to prevent the entry of contaminants into the facility. As a preventive measure against contamination, use artificial air conditioning instead of relying on windows and doors.
Sanitation
Sanitation is one of the most important aspects of a food processing plant design. Authorities will never issue licenses to processing plants with no proper sanitation systems.
The beverage industry is associated with a lot of cleaning activities that generate loads of wastewater. There is a need for treatment if the wastewater needs to be released to the environment. Industrial construction must, therefore, incorporate the critical aspect of wastewater treatment.
Additionally, storage and mixing equipment should be fixed in protected areas to control the movement of spilled products. The plant should also be spacious enough to ease cleaning and other vital operations.
Final Word
The business environment in America is changing drastically. As more people invest in agriculture, food processing plants are becoming popular. The timely construction of a food industry calls for reliable project management services. For more information on food processing plant designs, contact us today.
Pamela began her professional career in the broadcast industry while attending Tarleton State University. After graduating with a B.S. in Speech Communication in 1997, she worked at several radio stations in management roles focusing on continuity, music and production as well as serving as an on-air talent continuously for more than ten years. In 2010, Pamela accepted a position as the Assistant Marketing and Development Director for the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX. Helping to promote, market and develop the City of Richardson’s performing arts center, she succeeded in implementing and managing all social media marketing as well as creating and directing a first-ever student art exhibit, further strengthening her marketing and organizational talents.
Jason Krueger is the Director of Ranch and Real Estate Development for The Project Group Consulting, LLC. Jason has been managing and developing ranches for greater than 14 years, and has extensive sales management experience in the construction industry dating back to the late 90s. He is also a Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Bryant began his career at Crepaco warehouse in parts distribution and pump assembly. Then he progressed to field installation for process and ammonia systems where he oversaw welding and fitting both sanitary tubing and ammonia piping systems.He then moved to San Antonio, spent a year as a contract fabricator with H-E-B Foods working for Sanitary Welding Services. At the end of his contract he returned to the DFW area with Alloy Equipment doing installation, crew management, and scheduling. There he remained through the buyout by Statco Fabrication and Engineering, which resulted in his 25 combined years with them moving into engineering and sales departments.
With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry and extensive experience as a project manager, Tony has planned and led multi-million dollar projects relating to system upgrades, equipment installation, water quality, validations and process improvements. Some of his areas of expertise include project planning, quality assurance, process analysis, manufacturing systems, process design and problem resolution.
Tim is an electrical and control systems engineer with more than ten years of experience in a wide variety of industries. Project experience includes working with clients in the water/wastewater fields, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food and beverage industries. Prior to his engineering work, Tim was a licensed water treatment plant operator in Texas. Tim’s strengths are process engineering, control system design, conveyor system design, and project management. He received his B. S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. In his spare time, Tim enjoys working on cars, golfing, and billiards.
Michael has thirty-five years of diversified experience in project management and engineering, equipment and systems design, and manufacturing and production. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.