In the field of industrial development, it’s crucial to have strategic foresight. Planning for the future means creating adaptable infrastructures that allow businesses to expand seamlessly and efficiently as their needs evolve. With a legacy spanning nearly a century in Nashville, we’ve been instrumental in enabling businesses to expand their operations through thoughtful design and proactive planning.
In this blog, we highlight two important projects, Feintool and Old Dominion Freight Line, showcasing our expertise and emphasizing the critical importance of considering future expansion during the initial phases of industrial construction.
The Strategic Importance of Planning for Future Expansion
Industrial construction isn’t just about meeting today’s needs. It’s about anticipating the growth and changes that tomorrow may bring. Developing projects with an eye toward future expansion offers businesses the flexibility to scale operations, adapt to market demands, and optimize their investment over time without the need for costly relocations or complete rebuilds.
Case Study: Feintool’s Continuous Expansion
Since 2007, Feintool Inc., a global leader in fine blanking technology, has relied on Crain Construction for several strategic expansions of its manufacturing facilities. Recognizing the need to maintain around-the-clock operations without interruption, our team employed meticulous pre-construction planning, including the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and advanced modular construction techniques. This approach allowed us to seamlessly execute expansions, minimizing downtime so that Feintool’s operations could continue efficiently while preparing for future growth. Our successful handling of this project illustrates the importance of foresight and careful planning in industrial development, ensuring facilities are not only equipped for current demands but are also ready for future expansion.
Project Spotlight: Old Dominion Freight Line Terminal Expansion
Another example of Crain Construction’s expertise in managing complex expansions while maintaining continuous operations was our project for Old Dominion Freight Line. To support their terminal expansion, we added a $9.2 million, 65,339-square-foot addition to the largest truck terminal in North America. This facility operated continually throughout the construction period. To ensure that truck traffic was not interrupted, our team employed a unique “backwards construction” strategy. Our approach involved starting the expansion at the point furthest from the existing terminal and meticulously aligning the new structure with the old to ensure a seamless integration once complete.
Our method allowed for a 60-foot gap between the new addition and the original building so that freight trucks could access the docks without disruption. After completing the main structure, the truck route was reconfigured to loop around the new addition, enabling the final phases of construction to proceed without affecting terminal operations. The project also included the construction of a new 20,132-square-foot maintenance building. Throughout the process, over 160,000 cubic yards of earth and rock were moved from the site, and 14 acres of concrete and asphalt paving were laid.
Crain’s strategic approach, along with diligent planning and constant communication, allowed the terminal to operate efficiently—even increasing its total tonnage by eight percent during the year-long project.
Building With The Future In Mind
The projects with Feintool and Old Dominion Freight Line exemplify Crain Construction’s commitment to excellence and innovation in industrial construction. By prioritizing flexibility in design and strategic site utilization, we help our clients lay the groundwork for long-term growth.
As one of Nashville’s top commercial general contractors, we’d love to discuss your next project and explore how we can support your long-term business goals. Learn more about our process and connect with our team today.
