When a processing company comes to us looking for ways to expand their product line without taking on the cost of a plant expansion, our first response is: look up — and consider building a mezzanine.
More often than not, processing plants aren’t effectively utilizing the space above their product line – and have more than enough room to expand without a full-out plant expansion. Adding a mezzanine opens up processing and storage space that is often more than sufficient to meet their growing needs.
Answer These 5 Qualifying Questions First
A mezzanine is a great way to expand your manufacturing work space and avoid the high cost of a full out plant expansion. But how do you know if installing a mezzanine is the right solution for you? Ask yourself these questions:
- Do we need more space but can’t afford to shut down or relocate during a plant expansion project?
- Do we have unused air space in our plant that could house a second level of manufacturing?
- Are we leasing space and can’t make any permanent changes to the space?
- Are we launching a new product line and want to keep overhead costs low?
- Do we have plans to expand or relocate in the future and need a temporary solution now?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, a mezzanine may be the solution you need to expand your production space without a costly building project.
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Custom or Stock Mezzanine?
Once the need for a mezzanine is determined, one more question remains: Should I go with a custom designed or a stock modular mezzanine?
Custom Mezzanines
A custom designed mezzanine is just that — custom designed to fit your plant, your equipment, and your needs exactly. A custom manufacturer will work with your team to determine your needs, take measurements, and design a solution that fits exactly what you want.
Pros:
- Custom designed solution
- Fits around your equipment and utilities
- Custom placement of stairs
- Heavier duty construction
- Extra options to fit your needs
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than modular option
- Can take more time to design and manufacture
Modular Mezzanines
The other option is to purchase a modular mezzanine — you purchase sections and interlock them together to get the platform you need. Many modular manufacturers will work with you to pick the sections that will work best for you.
Pros:
- Convenient — can often purchase sections online
- Often faster as no modeling needs to happen
- Can be cheaper depending on number of sections you purchase
Cons:
- Only moderately custom — you are stuck working with the section sizes available
- Not as sturdy / heavy duty as a custom solution
- Cannot always get the fit around equipment you want
- Add-ons are often very pricey
Time to Build Up
Expanding your processing and storage space doesn’t have to be a huge investment. Building up with a custom or modular mezzanine can give you more operating space without the investment in expanding your building.
If you’re feeling the crunch of space constraints, the above questions will help you determine if a mezzanine is the solution for you.
