Testimonials

"Our plans to develop a major plant expansion were greatly enhanced by the all-day CAD planning session that we had with RBE. It was a dynamic and powerful tool that accomplished much more in the time than I had expected. It provided us with the clear ability to put our needs together with a workable layout and course of action."

John Berthelsen

President, Suttle-Straus
Waunakee, Wisconsin

Articles

NAPL Production Management; Special Report

Tips for Successful Relocation, Expansion, and Renovation

By Hal Ettinger

 

• Planning should include critical review of existing plant layout, current, and anticipated needs. The money invested in planning and layout design now is earned back later many times over by savings in plant efficiencies, and energy and maintenance reductions.
• Take full advantage of the construction marketplace. Obtain best value for dollars spent on construction, selection of contractor(s), or building schedules.
• Begin your upgrade of the existing facility, renovation, or expansion with complete and accurate drawings. This will help avoid construction cost overruns and expensive delays later.
• Get input from managers and supervisors. Company-wide participation can reveal alternatives that can lead to better plant efficiencies, and encourage buy-in.
• Never underestimate the importance of the building's appearance. The impression the building makes on customers can provide a considerable marketing advantage; the impression on employees can affect morale.
• Don't forget to take advantage of contemporary construction methods and materials. Pay attention to construction costs now so plant maintenance costs later are not greater than need be.
• Make your design flexible enough to take full advantage of new equipment an changes in technology. Avoid early obsolescence, materials handling nightmares, and less than optimal output by production equipment purchased in the future.
• Hire a project manager. Many printers make the mistake of trying to do it all. You do your job; let a project manager do his or hers.

 

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