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The Critical Role of Site Selection in Beverage Facility Construction
NBWA Associate Member ARCO Beverage Group discusses in their Associate Member Viewpoint key considerations when choosing the right site for a beverage distribution facility.
By Cameron Pinzke, President, ARCO Beverage Group
Selecting the right site for a beverage distribution facility is critical for operational efficiency, cost savings, and long-term success. Choosing a site directly impacts factors such as production capacity, market reach, regulatory compliance, scalability, and overall cost-effectiveness.
Site selection requires careful consideration of numerous factors, and thorough analysis to ensure the best possible decision. A detailed evaluation of site conditions from a design-build general contractor helps owners better understand the total development costs, ultimately providing greater value and clarity throughout the process.
- Environmental Conditions
- Geotechnical Reporting
- Zoning Restrictions
- Storm Water Requirements
- Infrastructure Development
- Site Utilities
- Overall Suitability for Development
- Site-Specific Phasing Plan
- Building/Paving Setback Lines
Project Case Studies: Strategic Site Solutions
Bellavance Beverage Co. and Adams Beverages recently completed projects requiring crucial site decisions. Both companies utilized critical due diligence information to access multiple options for increasing capacity for their growing businesses, ultimately helping them make informed choices that optimized costs and operational efficiency.
Bellavance Beverage Co.
145,000 SF Beverage Distribution Facility | Londonderry, New Hampshire
Project Challenge:
When Bellavance Beverage Co. set out to build their first new facility, they sought a general contractor who could provide guidance on key considerations such as site selection. Their goal was to balance strong community ties with industry expertise, ensuring the development of a strategically located, state-of-the-art facility that honored their heritage.
Key Site Considerations and Solutions:
Bellavance Beverage Co. initially identified three potential sites for the new facility. A comprehensive analysis of each location was conducted, evaluating critical factors such as feasibility, cost implications, and potential community impact. Through this due diligence process, Bellavance received a detailed breakdown of each site’s advantages and challenges, along with a clear cost comparison. Equipped with these data-driven options, Bellavance was well prepared to choose the most strategic location that aligned with their operational needs and reinforced their deep-rooted community presence.
Adams Beverages
91,530 SF Beverage Distribution Facility Expansion | Charlotte, North Carolina
Project Challenge:
With a need for increased warehouse and cooler capacity for their growing business, Adams Beverages needed to determine the most cost-effective way to expand their operations. With location a top priority, Adams Beverages explored multiple options in the project’s earliest stages, including renovating an existing space, building new, or expanding their existing location.
Key Site Considerations and Solutions:
To ensure an informed decision, a thorough evaluation of each option for Adams Beverages was conducted in the project’s early stages, considering site constraints, location benefits, construction feasibility, building size, and overall project costs. Ultimately, expanding the existing facility proved to be the best solution, allowing Adams Beverages to maintain operational efficiencies while maximizing their current site’s potential.
Prior to construction beginning, a comprehensive review of site conditions was conducted, including engaging a geotechnical contractor. The initial geotechnical report indicated that substantial, costly ground improvements would be needed to support the building. However, further due diligence was sought and a second report from another geotechnical engineer was solicited. Based on the second report, a much more cost-effective solution was determined, resulting in approximately $1 million in savings.
About the Author
ARCO Beverage Group is a premier, full-service design-build general contractor with more than 30 years of experience providing beverage industry clientele with complete construction services throughout the United States. As the nation’s largest builder of beverage distributorships, ARCO has constructed or made modifications to over 210 beverage facilities nationwide. From new distributorships to expansions and renovations, our team is expertly knowledgeable in the specifications and requirements for beverage facilities to run efficiently and successfully.
ARCO offers expert site feasibility services to help clients choose the optimal location for their facilities. Our detailed evaluation of site conditions helps owners better understand the total development costs, ultimately providing greater value and clarity throughout the process. Our proven design-build approach combines quality of design and construction, management of expense, and adherence to schedule into a single point of responsibility. We offer preliminary design at no cost to our customers to remove the risk of substantial upfront costs.