Site Selection

FINDING YOU THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR YOUR PROJECT

CEI™ assists in locating and analyzing prospective sites for new food processing and packaging systems as well as new distribution facilities. We are often called upon to perform this service in a confidential manner where the client name and business interest is never revealed. CEI™ can augment the client’s site selection team by determining the technical feasibility of proposed sites and developing specific scope requirements and associated costs for proposed alternatives.

In the assessment of a potential site (sometimes an existing building to be converted) for a food production process, we review the suitability of the space and ceiling height with respect to the “fit” of the equipment systems needed, truck and rail access, site utilities such as power, gas, and water, employee services areas such as parking, walkways, locker rooms, lunch rooms, offices, labs, etc., site logistics with respect to the client’s raw material supply and target market area, design of existing structures and their ability to be converted to adhere to food safety standards, final product storage and shipping facilities, and spaces for maintenance and parts storage.

CEI™ has investigated and participated in the selection of food processing plants across North America and even in some international locations.

Site Selection Tasks We Can Help With

  • Assisting in the development of specific site criteria that meets the client’s objectives.

  • Working with Real Estate Brokers to collect data on a number of available sites and impact of land use restrictions to confirm costs and deliverability.

  • Support in the evaluation of all conditions and work with local jurisdictional authorities as appropriate to achieve entitlements.

  • Evaluating for each site option: utilities availability and capacity, slope and drainage conditions, floodplain, wetlands issues, geotechnical conditions, site ingress and egress, platting issues, environmental considerations, site configuration and site plan fit.

  • Meeting political and economic leadership on entitlements to identify and evaluate development restrictions and timetables.

  • Transportation logistics (rail, truck, air, sea).

  • Identifying construction and/or building costs.

  • Identifying community infrastructure work force age and education, economic profile, housing costs, transportation, education and community amenities, presence of competing employers, educational attainment, and other quality-of-life considerations such as weather, schools and housing.

  • Analysis of site data and preparation of preliminary site plans for comparative evaluation of each option.

Looking for help on your next project?

Our team understands what it takes to execute projects in working food plants that must adhere to strict quality and food safety standards and do not have the luxury of being able to shut down. We work on retrofit projects in existing plants as well as new greenfield and brownfield facilities with capital ranging from a few thousand dollars to 500+ million dollars.