5 Manufacturing Construction Tips

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KBD GROUP

5 Manufacturing Construction Tips

KBD Group has been successfully designing and building projects for clients since 1964 and has earned a reputation of quality and respect throughout the construction industry. Over the last decade, KBD Group has successfully designed and built over 140 manufacturing facilities in the United States, helping to bring jobs and capital investments to communities. Through the wisdom gained in these experiences, KBD Group would like to share the following Five Manufacturing Construction Tips, which are designed to help you plan and execute a more successful project.

1. Location will affect the construction process of each project

BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure. BIM models are files or groups of files which can be exchanged or networked to support decision-making and can also compile information about every major component of a building in one place. Using BIM technology greatly helps to reduce risk, discrepancies, and cost.

2. Establish a realistic budget

BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure. BIM models are files or groups of files which can be exchanged or networked to support decision-making and can also compile information about every major component of a building in one place. Using BIM technology greatly helps to reduce risk, discrepancies, and cost.

One way to create realistic expectations for the projected budget is to reach out to experts in each area of the project. Collaborating with knowledgeable professionals in each section will eliminate false assumptions of variable costs. Additionally, consulting a specialist, such as a project manager who can provide a basic scope of the overall financial needs, will help the finance team better understand and determine more accurately what monies are required to complete the entire project. Keep in mind that hastily made estimates and budget assumptions framed without enough specific detail, or estimates determined too early in the planning process, are not likely to be accurate. Having realistic expectations will not only lead to success but will also create a more comfortable experience for the company and investors.

Finally, remember that the budget will likely need to be updated and possibly modified several times during the early stages of design and development for the project as additional research is gathered.

3. Involve your team early

Without user or production department input and support, the project could simply be ineffective or could be installed incorrectly. Encouraging early involvement from the user group will prevent later needs for re-work or modifications, which can be costly. Many clients do not get user input until their project is near completion. This can be detrimental to a successful and timely completion of the project. Researching and interviewing actual users to learn what they require in their daily tasks to be more efficient and productive should be a priority during the design and development phase of the planning. Incorporating this information into the plans will ensure that the project meets the needs of the users and will ultimately foster prosperity for the company.

4. Avoid late changes

Without user or production department input and support, the project could simply be ineffective or could be installed incorrectly. Encouraging early involvement from the user group will prevent later needs for re-work or modifications, which can be costly. Many clients do not get user input until their project is near completion. This can be detrimental to a successful and timely completion of the project. Researching and interviewing actual users to learn what they require in their daily tasks to be more efficient and productive should be a priority during the design and development phase of the planning. Incorporating this information into the plans will ensure that the project meets the needs of the users and will ultimately foster prosperity for the company.

5. Don't delay equipment purchases

Since industrial buildings are designed for and around the manufacturing equipment and the specific process, not understanding the full function of these key characteristics prior to the start of design development will lead to reworking and design corrections later. This can cause changes in the scope and delay the completion of the project.

Another key to avoiding late changes to the project is to realize that not finalizing the purchasing details of proposed manufacturing equipment in a timely fashion during planning will be a setback to the design process. This delay may then create the need for the designers and engineers to rework plans and modify the existing design; this interruption may also cause the need for additional work which can be costly and disruptive to the schedule as well as to the comfort level of the client and investors. Completing a project on budget and on schedule is possible when all planning is done properly.

The KBD Group Experience

At KBD Group, we know from experience that Builders and Designers following these Five Manufacturing Construction Tips will achieve greater success with any project. KBD Group provides integrated design-build services as well as stand-alone expertise in design and engineering, pre-construction and construction, general contracting, and process equipment installation. We have developed these recommendations from thoughtful reflection of our own successes and achievements. We are happy to share our expertise to help you make your project a success!

Author: Jim Goodwin, Senior Vice President/ Regional Manager
at Kajima Building & Design Group, Inc