EAD has performed multiple large projects for a medical device manufacturer and one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. The company is dedicated to advancing global health outcomes by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapies for patients and clinical solutions for health care providers.
When this global leader approved funding for a $40MM Design-Build expansion, they didn’t know the world was on the eve of the Coronavirus pandemic. What they did know was EAD’s proven record of success with rapid design and construction execution on brownfield projects.
A challenge for EAD was that our client shared their utilities and structure with an adjacent industrial manufacturing facility. This fact made the already complex 160,000 square foot expansion (combination of production and office space) even more complex. The project required multiple tie-ins including chillers, HVAC, and piping. Through continuously seeking the best solutions to deliver distinctive value for our clients, EAD was up for the challenge and dedicated to the overall success of our client.
Starting with the FEL process, EAD and the client invested a significant amount of time and effort developing the design basis and URS for the project. EAD ensured that the design continued to meet the project stakeholders’ expectations as the definition of the design grew. Construction packages were developed in phases to allow for a “just in time” execution that matched the speed-to-market, fast tracked schedule.
EAD used 3D modeling to showcase the layouts and components of the design as well as for clash detection and constructability. The 3D modeling technology enabled the local and remote corporate HQ team to easily collaborate throughout the design and construction project phases.
Managing the Project.
The $40MM investment in the project was a substantial commitment for the client to make considering the remote location of the facility and limited available local resources. The project was also complex in that it involved heavy coordination between the skilled trade labor and numerous suppliers and equipment vendors.
EAD embedded their construction manager in the client’s facility to enhance communication, expedite RFIs and submittals, and keep construction on schedule and compliant with the design throughout the project. EAD utilized Procore, a construction project management tool, as our communication management tool. Procore allowed all of the stakeholders to have full project visibility at all times. The tool also served as an on-line repository for all of the project documents.
Another way that EAD facilitated project communication was through meetings with the project stakeholders. During the project period, an expansive team of stakeholders from the local site and corporate headquarters (operations, engineering, sales, HR, IT, finance, legal) met twice a month to address challenges with the site conditions, competing priorities, and redesign requests. This collaboration ensured that the entire team was on the same page at each project milestone.
EAD produced multiple fast-tracked design packages for the client to keep construction moving ahead with minimal impact to the schedule. By the end of the project, EAD had completed a design-build expansion of a $40MM world-class molding center and nearly doubled the facility’s production rate in just the first phase. EAD also provided our client with longer-term options to triple or quadruple their operational capacity in subsequent project phases.
By working in close collaboration with the client and contractors and being flexible with the design modifications during the construction period, EAD was able to ensure the fast-tracked project could be completed on time and within budget. EAD’s engineering and construction management expertise yielded increased efficiencies, enhanced production outcomes, and improved safety at our client’s facility.
Project Highlights
EAD completed a Design-build expansion of a $40MM flagship molding center
EAD ensured that the design of the building always met the project stakeholder’s expectations
EAD used BIM 3D modeling as a project collaboration tool to ensure local and remote stakeholders were on the same page
EAD embedded their construction manager in the client’s facility
EAD utilized Procore and project meetings to facilitate communication between members of the project team
EAD produced multiple fast-tracked design packages for the client to ensure that the project schedule was maintained
EAD doubled the facility’s production rate during the first phase of the project
EAD provided recommendations that looked to increase the client’s operation capacity as the project progressed
Services
- Engineering
- Construction Management
- Project Management