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Opus Helps Patrick Cudahy, Inc. Rebuild Following Fire
Patrick Cudahy, the nation’s largest meat-packing plant, was severely damaged in a fire in July 2009. Opus worked with Patrick Cudahy to assess structural damage and assist with the implementation of interim building solutions.
The assessment led to a new 55,000-square-foot expansion that was built on the site of the previously fire-damaged facility. The new industrial construction facility expansion consists of the following:
The assessment led to a new 55,000-square-foot expansion that was built on the site of the previously fire-damaged facility. The new industrial construction facility expansion consists of the following:
- dry storage warehouse space,
- a food storage cooler,
- a forklift charging room,
- a connecting corridor and
- employee support areas for a USDA-certified food production facility.
One critical component of the expansion was the connecting corridor linking four different buildings. The corridor, which is 625 feet long and 22 feet wide, provides a high-speed, two-way forklift travel path and protected employee walk path. The corridor is sized for growth and development for future use of un-manned forklifts to allow for even more efficient material handling.
In addition to the new expansion, Opus also overhauled Patrick Cudahy’s existing fire protection system by replacing a diesel fire pump, connecting a new water supply and replacing sections of the fire loop. Opus was able to accomplish this all while keeping the more than 115-year-old facility in production.
In addition to the new expansion, Opus also overhauled Patrick Cudahy’s existing fire protection system by replacing a diesel fire pump, connecting a new water supply and replacing sections of the fire loop. Opus was able to accomplish this all while keeping the more than 115-year-old facility in production.