As published in Toledo Business Journal - January 1, 2020
Rendering of COEXCELL’s new Maumee headquarters
U.S. COEXCELL, Inc., a company that designs and manufactures specialty blow-molded drums and packing systems based in Maumee, is investing between $9 to $10 million to build a new 82,500 square foot headquarters, manufacturing facility, and warehouse. The new building will more than double the company’s current manufacturing space.
Jeff Holdman, vice president / general manager, U.S. COEXCELL, said, “We’re currently in leased space and this will be our first owned building in northwest Ohio. After Cleveland Steel purchased U.S. COEXCELL in 2016, we began planning for growth. Our new facility will give us more space, and we can engineer this building to meet our needs.”
Poggemeyer Design Group, based in Bowling Green, is the architect for the project and Rudolph Libbe Inc., of the Rudolph Libbe Group, is design/build contractor.
The project includes Varco-Pruden insulated metal panels, a 10-ton bridge crane, and an isolated air conditioned and dust-free manufacturing space.
“An important feature for us is the climate-controlled production area. Blow molding requires a great deal of process stability and the control of heat and humidity are a very important factor for our manufacturing area,” said Holdman.
Holdman noted that COEXCELL services the electronic chemical industry, which makes up about 85% of its business. The company currently employs 40-50 full-time workers, and the company expects to grow in the future.
Interior of COEXCELL’s new facility in Maumee
“Eventually, we plan to add new jobs and products lines, as well as increase production of our existing products,” said Holdman. “Our commitment to customer service and innovation has driven our growth and success. Because the electronic chemical industry is always setting higher and higher standards for cleanliness and purity, the bar is being raised on a regular basis, and we continuously strive to meet or exceed those standards. We’re always looking forward and trying to stay ahead of the needs for the industries we serve.”
Rudolph Libbe’s own tradespeople are self-performing site work, concrete, masonry, and carpentry. GEM Inc., also of the Rudolph Libbe Group, is performing steel erection for the Varco-Pruden pre-engineered metal building, as well as installing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.
When speaking of the phases of the project, Holly Henn, project manager, Rudolph Libbe Inc., said, “The foundation was placed first. Poor soil quality on one line of foundations required the crew to excavate additional soil and pour slightly deeper footers and grade beams, but we’re always prepared for that challenge. The foundation work went very smoothly overall.”
Henn also explained that underground plumbing was finished in August, and then underground utility work was completed in October. The storm system was installed first because the crew needed to maintain the designed elevations to ensure that water would travel to the designed elevation outputs. After the storm system was installed, the sewer system, and other utilities followed.
Andy Moya, project manager for steel erection, GEM Inc., noted that the steel erection and Varco-Pruden wall panel installation is being completed this fall, followed by the Varco-Pruden standing seam roof.
Completion of the electrical, above-ground plumbing, and gas systems will coincide with the completion of the building in mid-February, noted Paul Anderson, project manager for mechanical work, GEM Inc. The above-ground plumbing and gas systems are being installed in stages for the greatest efficiency. He also noted that HVAC work was scheduled for the office in November and in the warehouse and production areas in mid-December.
“Much of COEXCELL’s equipment is being shipped from overseas, so maintaining the schedule is particularly important,” added Henn.
“To precisely locate plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, Rudolph Libbe Group’s virtual design and construction (VDC) department generated a full 3D model of the building and GEM Inc. laser-scanned the facility,” said Anderson.
Construction started on the project in May and is expected to be complete in early 2020.