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M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Pennsylvania — June 8 - 21, 2018 — 3C

www.marejournal.com

P ennsylvania

By Kristina Pumphrey, PE, Precis Engineering Planning and Process – Linked to help your facility achieve more

f accommodating rapid advancements in technol- ogy, battling increased competition, and getting p r o d u c t s t o ma r k e t quickly and economically are among your objec- tives, then strategic pro- cess planning can improve efficiency. Process engineering en- sures a robust process to safely and reliably manu- facture products. Process engineers design, implement, and optimize industrial pro- cesses for efficiency, quality, and safety. Process engineers translate client user require- ments into working facilities by specifying the right mix of equipment and controls, in an efficient layout that meets regulatory require- ments and results in a quality product. The role of process engineering extends through all phases of manufacturing and works in tandem with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineer- ing to design and implement innovative processes and systems. For maximum effective- ness, process engineers can lend their expertise to facility planning. When involved ear- ly in a facility development, such as new site selection or a building renovation, a process engineer can provide input on the Basis of Design – the early conceptual design package that serves as a com- prehensive reference point for a project. It is important that market forecasts support any facility; a process engineer can work with real estate professionals to determine building requirements based on market conditions, with phasing for future expansion. For planning and site selec- tion purposes, requirements should be segregated into wants and needs. From there, a design scope can be document- ed. An equipment list should be developed that includes util- ity and spatial requirements. A room list can itemize spatial, air, and electrical classifica- tions. The processing approach should also be determined as it impacts facility scope and design. For example, small product batch sizes reduce lead I Kristina Pumphrey

times and inventories; larger batch sizes reduce per-batch activities such as cleaning and set-up, but increase equipment size, which demands a larger facility footprint. In a recent project, a client increased throughput in an area by almost 50 percent when the batch size was dou- bled. This helped to increase facility capacity without a major renovation, saving the client money and downtime. But, it was important to weigh the impact to other areas with this change; the batch size in- crease required a longer daily

shift duration and additional storage. Existing facility infrastruc- ture can also impact renova- tion costs. Is there enough space for equipment and sup- port areas? Is additional space required for warehousing? What utilities are already available? What is the build- ing’s future expansion po- tential? Understanding each facility from a process per- spective, and identifying gaps, can help determine realistic costs for renovations and an order-of-magnitude budget. Identifying the scope and

needs of the facility early – with the input of a process engineering teammate – can offer a more effective roadmap to evaluate different sites and compare objectively. The engi- neering input can help clients identify the right process and equipment solutions to get the most out of their investment and advance on the best path. To efficiently plan for com- pany and facility long-term growth, a process engineering partner can also provide valu- able insights into master plan development. The best way to optimize facility investment

balances immediate needs with those in the five-to-20- year range. A master plan can include options for expected scenarios and can be imple- mented over time based on changing market conditions and company needs. A process engineer’s continued involve- ment can ensure modification and optimization of equip- ment and processes to sup- port the facility’s long-term viability and efficiency. Kristina Pumphrey, PE is the director of process engineering for Precis Engineering. 

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Precis Engineering provides innovative systems and utility engineering solutions for performance-critical facilities throughout the eastern U.S. Find out why our clients trust us to support their most challenging and complex work. For projects ranging from data centers to vaccine manufacturing facilities, our award-winning engineering solutions begin with our clients’ goals in mind. Our designs are strategically sensitive to schedule, construction and operating costs, and our clients’ business operations and profitability. We are committed to providing principal-level leadership, engineering excellence, and collaboration throughout every aspect of our work.

Services include: • Performance-Driven Engineering • cGMP and cGLP Consulting

• Central Utility Design • Critical Warehousing • Energy Audits • Sustainability Solutions

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pictured: recent work for DSM, Arbutus, Morphotek, and Saint-Gobain

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