Wed, May 11, 2011 1:43 pm EST

Stellar Secures Contract for Renovation of Dairy Facility

Stellar is awarded a $14 million design-build renovation project for a cheese processing facility in Central Missouri.

CONTACT: Allison Korman Shelton at 904-899-9818 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 11, 2011) – Stellar, a fully-integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services worldwide, has been awarded a $14 million design-build renovation project for a cheese processing facility in Central Missouri. Stellar will provide comprehensive design and construction management services for this client.

This private dairy processing company has initiated the renovation of an existing 33,000 square-foot building that will better support the long-standing structure and processing for a new string cheese line.  In addition to the processing area, the second level will be converted into space for additional offices, cubicles and restrooms.

The facility will remain open throughout schedule renovations to minimize disruption for plant employees. The project began in March and is due to be complete in November.

It will feature new processing lines that will expedite their continuous product operations from receiving to shipping. Focus on safety elements during design and construction will be heavily emphasized to ensure the highest food safety and quality standards in the industry.

Key features of the dairy processing facility remodel:

• Installation of interior structural steel support system for utilities, walk-on ceilings and loads imposed by roof top refrigeration and Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
• Flooring in the process areas will be finished with Henkel tile.
• Interior walls in processing areas will consist of eight-inch Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU).
• New receiving truck dock and trash dock located on the east side of the facility.
• Spiral elevators and case conveyors will be installed to deliver product to new pallet area.
• Pallet elevator install in basement to transfer packaging materials to new string cheese lines.
• Minus 10 degree (-10 degree) freezer will be constructed to store incoming product.

“This renovation will allow the company to expand their capabilities in packaging, storing and shipping control,” said Brian Kappele, divisional vice president of Stellar’s Food and Beverage Division. “Having developed a long-standing relationship with this client, we are familiar with their expectations on continuous expansion in processing capacity and production.”