Maximize Underused Plant Space By
Installing a Two Story Modular Office

Customer: Consumer Product Manufacturing Company Application: New two story modular office within existing manufacturing plant facility Product: OmniFlex 300 Fire and Sound Panels Additional Options: 4’x 3’ Fixed Office Windows Straight Run, Diamond Plate Stairs Benefits Provided: Expanded usable office space without enlarging existing footprint Engineering and operations teams given direct access to plant operations Effectively used vertical square footage

The Situation
A consumer products company needed to expand their office space and wanted to move operations and engineering teams closer to the manufacturing line. The company was growing but wanted to expand conservatively.

Due to the uncertain economic situation in 2010, the prospect of buying new land, or adding to the current plant’s footprint was risky. As a result, the company looked to retrofit current space within the plant.

The Evaluation
Since the manufacturing facility had extremely high ceilings to accommodate production equipment, building new space vertically appeared to be the most cost effective option. By creating a two story modular office, the company could double the square footage of the office space within the available area in the plant.

Modular building also offered the company flexibility because these types of structures can be repurposed, added to or relocated easily as the needs of the company changes.

The Solution
The company selected a modular office from PortaFab Modular Building Systems in order to expand the inplant offices. Using the Ominflex 300 system with Fire and Sound Panels, the company was able to maximize space within the plant by doubling the amount of office space compared to a one story building. The second story is accessed from an exterior straight run stair case that is made of slip-resistant diamond plate metal.

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Windows were also added to the office area so that the operations and engineering departments would have a direct connection with the manufacturing and production areas at all times. The modular building also enabled the company to renovate the space without disrupting the production line, as systems are manufactured off-site and only assembled within the area.