Far too often, business executives misunderstand the role of consultancy firms in their organization. Some view the consultants as “armchair quarterbacks” who seem to have strong opinions about the play while doing little to no lift work during the game to influence the outcome.
However, if you are serious about making a shift in the food processing industry, you need a partner that can provide solid ideas as well as implement them in a way that transforms your team, processes, and facility at large. Here are five questions that can help you pick the right project management consultant for your food processing plant.
1. How Will Their Design Services Improve Your Facility?
The project consulting service should tell how their design consultancy will improve your plant construction. If you are not sure of the direct benefits that the project management group may bring to the table, request case studies. A seasoned consultant can recognize design challenges that you may have and outline clearly the solutions that you can utilize for your food processing plant. Let the experts demonstrate the tangible benefits that you may accrue from your engagement with them.
2. What’s Their Approach For Your Food Processing Plant?
Qualified consultants understand that there are no two food and dairy industry plants that exactly alike. While their methodologies may be consistent, the project design consultants should provide unique solutions to your facility. What industrial flooring solutions can they provide? You need to speak to designers and engineers that understand your challenges and can provide a clear outline on how to improve your current design projections.
3. How Long Have You Been A Consultant For Food Processing Industry?
It is one thing to draw up cool design concepts for your plant. It is a completely different ball game when it comes to implementing and actualizing the solutions provided. You need to assess their competence, ethical conduct, interpersonal skills, transparency, and accountability. Find out how long the industrial project management firm has been in the food industry. Request for case studies and portfolios of projects completed in the past. Have they handled design consultations for a food processing plant of similar scope and size? You need an experienced team that can see the project to completion.
4. What Do Their Services Cost?
You may need to plan financially for any consultancy engagement that you may have with the project management firm. Most firms offer packages that go over and above project management, including strategic planning and people management. You may receive different invoices for the different scopes of work. Sign a written contract that specifies the scope of the project, the expenses, and the period that you will utilize their services.
5. What’s Their Current Workload And Availability?
Most food processing plant construction projects are often on a tight schedule. You need to find design consultants that can ensure your project is complete within the necessary timeframe. You need a firm that will provide the maximum time and attention to your project.
Improving the design processes and workflows in your food processing plant may require the services of project management consultants. The five questions above can help you find the right fit for your firm. For more information on what to look for in a food industry consultant, reach out to The Project Group.
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.