Why Metal Buildings Are the Foremost Choice for Food Processing Plants

Food Processing Plants and Metal Buildings

The food processing industry is an essential aspect of our lives. It's the third largest contributor to US manufacturing and is heavily responsible for many food products we enjoy daily. Whether it’s producing meat, dairy products, everyday snacks, and household grocery staples, food processing advances significantly contribute to how we operate. This industry wouldn't be able to operate at its current capacity without the help of a strong, adaptable infrastructure. And that’s precisely why metal buildings are among the most widely used construction types for food processing plants and production facilities. Below, we’ll go into deeper detail about how these incredible buildings have changed food production, how they will evolve, and ways you can take advantage of them.

Why Commercial Buildings Are So Useful for Food Processing Facilities

Commercial metal buildings have been an inextricable part of food production for decades. But with modern advances, prefabricated steel structures have risen to become one of the most popular construction choices on the market. But why is this? What is it about prefabricated metal buildings so popular? For one, custom metal buildings are incredibly strong. In fact, they’re one of the strongest building types available. This is due to steel’s natural ability to flex when met with external forces. And where more brittle construction materials might crack and break, steel will hold strong. Secondly, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more economical building than a prefab steel structure. They can be built more affordably than stick-built structures and last longer with minimal need for repairs. And finally, metal buildings are fully customizable, allowing business owners to change, adapt, and customize a building to meet their exact needs. This makes them a highly effective option for facilities that require custom refrigerated rooms, office spaces, and storage space.

Key Factors to Remember When Choosing a Commercial Metal Building for a Food Processing Plant

Running any business can be a challenge. This is especially true when your line of work requires special facilities, refrigeration, custom infrastructure, and more. Keeping track of all these necessities can be tricky, even for the most learned of owners. But to help you make the most out of your metal building purchase, we've put together a small guide detailing key factors that can influence your structure.

1. Choosing the Right Location

Location means everything! Choosing an appropriate location can make a massive difference in the success of your business. Therefore, you'll want to find a suitable build site and take the time to ensure that it is: • Cleared of all debris • Properly graded and leveled • Has easy access for guests, employees, and potential customers • Rests above any natural water runoff or flood plains

2. Considering Utilities

Running a production facility of any kind is going to require quite a bit of electricity. As such, you'll want to check with your local power company to determine the utilities you'll need before you begin the installation process.

3. Building Codes and Regulations

Most localities will require building permits for any permanent structure. This is particularly important for commercial businesses. In addition to permits, you'll need to ensure that your property is properly zoned for business. Taking the time to sort these details with local building officials early in the process can significantly reduce the headaches involved with such a large project.

4. Size Requirements

How much space will you need? Having a comprehensive idea of how large your facility will be a fundamental part of choosing the right building. After all, you don't want to invest in such a large purchase only to realize it's not a good fit. Carefully determine your required square footage while considering equipment, products, employees, and storage space.

5. Employee Facilities

For sizeable operations, you'll want ample infrastructure for your employees to work comfortably. This will require break rooms, bathroom facilities, locker rooms, and office spaces. Have you accounted for this in your building? If you haven't, now's the time!

6. Storage Requirements

The last thing You’ll want to do is run low on storage space. And with any business, the need for storage space can change on a dime. Therefore, you’ll want to plan ahead and ensure that you always have ample room for inventory storage.

7. Parking

Do you have enough parking? Having appropriate parking is also a crucial part of the metal building process. A good rule of thumb when measuring how much parking your business will need is to allocate at least one parking space for every 2-3 employees. By calculating this appropriately, you’ll always have plenty of parking room for your food processing plant.

8. Insulation

Insulating your metal building is incredibly important for reducing moisture buildup and maintaining an even internal temperature. It's also necessary if you wish to finish out any part of your structure for office spaces or waiting rooms.

9. Plumbing

All commercial buildings will need to be built with proper plumbing. This means ample bathrooms, sinks and drains. For food production facilities, having custom wash stations with proper drainage can save you tons of money in cleaning costs.

10. Budget Twice, Spend Once

A solid budget is vital in determining your commercial metal building cost. By taking the time to detail your expenses and account for potential extra costs, you'll ensure that your metal building project stays in the black.

Probuilt Steel Buildings is Your Destination for Commercial Metal Buildings

From small equipment sheds to large metal buildings, Probuilt Steel Buildings is your dedicated provider for all things steel. We have an extensive lineup of commercial metal buildings to suit any job or business. We’re proud to offer fantastic prices and flexible payment options that give you the power to own your commercial building regardless of your budget. So, give us a call today at (877) 754-1818 and let our team of building officials help you design, cultivate, and complete a commercial-grade metal building for your food production business!