Freshpet

Renovation & Expansion of a State-of-the-Art Food-Grade Facility

Meeting the aggressive timeline and startup goals for this $100 million, 140,000 square-foot renovation and expansion project required careful coordination, collaboration and open lines of communication. Having a clear understanding of Freshpet’s goals and operational needs were key to Penntex’s ability to deliver this state-of-the-art, food-grade facility on time and on budget.

Strategic Coordination and Sequencing

Achieving project goals required MEP building information modeling (BIM) to accommodate the integrated operational and processing systems across the facility. Strategic coordination and sequencing of large building openings was critical through all stages of construction so Freshpet’s equipment could be moved into and through the facility for installation.

Thoughtful Material & Systems Planning

Planning for precise temperature-controlled zones and production-driven design solutions and materials selection included:

• High-efficiency industrial ammonia refrigeration system.
•  Anti-microbial, skid-resistant floors.
• 900 tons of galvanized steel for corrosion protection.
• 33 high-speed dock doors.
• Pop-up ceilings to accommodate the scale of the equipment.
• A walkable interstitial ceiling with complex piping and access points.

Keeping the Project On-Track Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

When the restrictions and guidelines resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Penntex focused on collaboration and open lines of communication between the Freshpet team and subcontractor partners to keep work advancing toward critical schedule milestones. Flexibility and adaptability was key to managing work and material supply shifts throughout this unprecedented time.

A Superior Client Experience From Start to Finish

The Penntex focus on Building Better was at the heart of delivering an exceptional client experience for the Freshpet team from start to finish, which ultimately ensured a project delivered in alignment with the vision of being completed on time and on budget.