Manufacturing + Industrial Facility Design
CMTA Project Experience
About CMTA
CMTA is a multi-specialty firm that focuses on building systems engineering – designing costeffective, energy-efficient, high performance buildings. We function as a trusted partner and guide for the owner and design team bringing energy reduction, decarbonization, and health and wellness goals to fruition.
As CMTA strives to improve the built environment, we also invent products, set national goals, and work to transform the market to improve results for everyone. We define our innovative approach to engineering as — Building Science Leadership.
We are Data Driven, and Results Proven. Over the last 20 years, we have collected utility data on our projects, allowing us to continually improve our approach. This database means we design from verified information and not engineering theories, as well as understand how to make these buildings a reality without extra first costs.
Consulting Services
Office Locations
National Expertise + Local Presence
Consulting Services
MEP Engineering
Zero Energy/Carbon Engineering
Renewable Energy + Sustainability Engineering
Resilient Design
Technology/Audiovisual Design
Security Infrastructure Design
Acoustic Design
Lighting Design
Performance Contracting
Design-Build + Construction Management Services
Energy as a Service (EaaS)
Commissioning Services
250+
Manufacturing Facility Projects
Processing + Manufacturing
High-Performance | Low-Carbon Solutions
CMTA’s industrial experience includes a wide variety of cleanroom and controlled environments — many that serve pharmaceutical, research, manufacturing and micro-electronics industries. Our mission is to enhance the future of manufacturing by integrating data-driven engineering design, cutting-edge technology, and smart building systems into every project. We are leaders in creating high-performance environments that enhance productivity while championing sustainability and energy efficiency.
From complex cleanrooms to large-scale production plants, CMTA leverages deep industry expertise to engineer resilient, cost-effective facilities that meet the rigorous demands of modern manufacturing and position our clients for long-term success.
Select Clients
Aldevron
General Electric
Cirrus Aircraft
Collins Aerospace
MedImmune
Imation
Bobcat Companies
John Deere
Polaris
Marvin Windows
American Crystal Sugar Company
Case New Holland
ZieglerCat
McCormick Spice
DXC Technologies
Samsung
Triton Manufacturing
Vision Ease
UTC Aerospace
Marathon Petroleum
Zeochem
Confidential Technology Corporation R&D, Manufacturing, and Data Center Facilities
CMTA was selected to provide Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Consulting Engineering at various locations for a global technology company. These secure and unsecure spaces house experts responsible for research, development, production and testing of leading-edge semi-conductor technology for the US Government. These facilities include Data Centers, Manufacturing Cleanrooms, Secure Workplace, and Support spaces at multiple locations to support design, manufacturing, testing, and repair activities.
These projects prioritize Resiliency, with Mechanical and Electrical infrastructure to minimum Tier 3 level redundancy, while maximizing overall energy and operational efficiency.
Data Center HVAC strategies have included in-row overhead hot aisle containment, in-row rack mounted direct to server cooling units, and large format traditional CRAH unit technologies.
Cleanroom requirements varied from Class 1000 to Class 1, achieved utilizing HEPA rated fan filter units and multi-level interstitial HVAC distribution strategies.
Adaptive Reuse Application
On a recent mission critical data center project, CMTA was able to deploy a 3 MW data hall, including the N+1 water-cooled airside HVAC systems, Tier 3 backed redundant electrical switchgear, downstream distribution, and over (50) 50+ kW racks, all within a 2,900 SF footprint of an existing office building with a 10 ft deck height.
Project at a Glance
Status: Ongoing, multiple site deployments
Relevancies
Secure Data Centers, totaling 16MW
Secure Office/Workplace
Secure Laboratory Spaces
Manufacturing and Testing
Cleanrooms
Tier 3 Power Distribution
Expansios and Renovations
Dual Redundant Mechanical Systems
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Manufacturing Facility
Confidential Aerospace Corporation
CMTA delivered MEP engineering services for a cutting-edge 280,000 SF aerospace manufacturing facility focused on printed circuit board (PCB) operations. Since this manufacturing process typically consists of design, etching, drilling, plating, testing, and rigorous quality control, the cuttingedge facility features multiple ISO7 clean rooms and an etching solution wastewater treatment plant.
An expansion of the existing medium voltage electrical distribution network and the existing chilled and process water central utility plant were designed to support operations. Approximately 90,000 SF of mezzanine space is being added as
well. Additionally, it boasts an efficient etching solution waste water treatment plant, which utilizes powerful industrial-scale heat pumps for rinsing operations.
An etching solution waste water treatment plant is a specialized system designed to manage and treat waste water generated during the etching process, a common procedure in the aerospace industry. The etching process often results in a mixture of water and various potentially harmful chemicals. This waste water treatment plant primarily serves to neutralize these chemicals, making the water safe for discharge or reuse. The inclusion of industrial-scale heat pumps further enhances its
efficiency by providing the necessary heat for specific rinsing operations, contributing to a reduction in energy consumption and environmental impact.
Project at a Glance
Size: 280,000 SF
ISO-7 Clean Rooms
Etching Solution Wastewater Treatment Plant
Packet Digital Li-Ion Battery Plant
Packet Digital | Fargo, North Dakota
CMTA is currently in design on an 80,000-square-foot lithium-ion battery production facility in Fargo, North Dakota. This project will install all production, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and utility systems to produce 5,000 pieces per day of lithium-ion, which will then be assembled into high-energy-density batteries. CMTA serves as the facility’s mechanical, plumbing, and electrical engineer of record for this project.
This facility includes a 5,000kVA electrical service, three main switchboards for power distribution, and main distribution panels and branch panelboards to power the facility. Specialty HVAC design is provided for this facility’s high-hazard components, including many emergency exhaust and control systems which work in tandem with the base building systems to mitigate hazards from combustible dust and vapors. The HVAC design includes roughly 30,000
square feet of cleanroom space with strict temperature, humidity, and filtration requirements.
Along with a robust HVAC design, the plant also contains large utility systems to support the manufacturing process, such as nitrogen, compressed air, chilled water, hot water, and vacuum. Lastly, a modern 10,000-square-foot office is included within the project scope to create a collaborative space for occupants to work when not on the production floor.
This project is of critical importance to the United States. Once finished, this facility will be one of a kind and will develop batteries for the nation’s military that previously needed to be sourced overseas. CMTA is proud to be a part of such a unique project that supports our country’s independence from foreign nations.
Project at a Glance
Completion: Q4 2025
Size: 80,000 SF
Cost: $20M (MEP)
Project Type: New Facility
Delivery Method: Design-Build
John Deere PES Expansion
John Deere | Fargo, North Dakota
CMTA provided mechanical engineering design services for the construction of a 90,000-square-foot addition for John Deere’s Electronics Solution division in Fargo, North Dakota.
Manufacturing electronics is a uniquely challenging environment that requires innovative solutions. CMTA provided a design that not only supports the manufacturing process but does so with sustainability in mind.
Opening in 2025, this addition will allow John Deere to expand their electronics engineering and manufacturing capabilities for years to come. This project includes a very unique design of the mechanical and process systems. The most distinctive aspect is that waste heat is recovered
from process equipment and then used to heat the building. Waste heat from process equipment is captured through a water system. This water system is then delivered to heat pumps that extract the heat for building heating. It is anticipated that the entire 90,000-square-foot facility will be heated entirely through waste heat recovery.
Along with a unique heating system, this project also included the design of compressed air systems, high-purity water systems, energy recovery ventilation for peak energy performance and excellent indoor air quality, and unique acoustical designs for the HVAC systems.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2025
Size: 90,000 SF
Cost: Confidential
Project Type: Addition/Renovation
Delivery Method: Design-Build
Manufacturing Cleanroom Cooling System
Sheldahl | Northfield, MN
CMTA delivered MEP engineering services
Flexible materials manufacturer, Sheldahl, was faced with a critical need to upgrade a worn-out 320-ton cooling system within their expansive 7,500 square foot manufacturing cleanroom.
CMTA engineered a detailed plan for the conversion of Sheldahl’s outdated system to a new energy-efficient central chilled water system to ensure seamless manufacturing operations with zero downtime.
The project resulted in an estimated $8,000 of annual energy savings, a 15% carbon emissions reduction, and an extended invitation by Sheldahl for additional services to upgrade a heating system in their cleanroom air handling system.
Key Elements
– Semiconductor
– Cleanroom
– Manufacturing facility
– Installation of a new 320-ton chiller plant
– Chilled water piping system
– Upgraded cleanroom HVAC controls
– Replacement of existing refrigerant coils
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2020
Size: 7,500 SF
Cost: Proprietary
Project Type: Renovation
Aldevron Campus Office + Production Buildings
Aldevron | North Dakota
This manufacturing company is comprised of forward-thinking, thought-leading, and innovative individuals working together to advance biological sciences worldwide. It’s the kind of company with a mission, vision, and values that resonate with us.
Our team was part of the first 70,000 square foot office building designed in North Dakota. The current building, completed in 2018, is used for product production and manufacturing, and the expansion includes three new buildings. The first contains manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics space. The second building is an administration building, and the third is an industry-leading research and development center with technological operations
and a training center. The new facilities will support the company’s growth and accommodate more than 1,000 employees.
Project at a Glance Completion: 2021
Size: 189,000 SF
Project Type: Addition & Renovation
Ecolab Advanced Design Center
Ecolab, Inc. | Eagan, Minnesota
Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, with a focus on making the world cleaner, safer, and healthier.
Ecolab opened its Advanced Design Center in 2021. The 22,000 square-foot state-ofthe-art innovation center allows Ecolab’s global healthcare division to partner with medical device industry customers. With a focus on infection prevention solutions, Ecolab is using the center to develop custom sterile barriers and equipment
drapes for hospitals and surgery centers. The Advanced Design Center contains offices, collaboration spaces, a pre-fab pilot plant cleanroom, and a warehouse.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2021
Size: 22,000 SF
Project Type: Renovation
Zeochem New Office, R&D Center & QC Lab
Zeochem LLC | Louisville, Kentucky
The global chemical company, which already has an operation and manufacturing plant in Louisville, needed additional space to support growth in the molecular sieve market. As respiratory diseases increase worldwide, the demand for medical oxygen and thus for lithium molecular sieves is rising.
CMTA served as the MEP engineer for the resulting one-story, 15,000 SF office building, which houses offices, meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art R&D center and QC laboratory.
High efficacy LED lighting was utilized on the project to minimize energy consumption. Multi-zone dimming controls were employed in the laboratory space for ultimate user flexibility. Power requirements were closely coordinated with new and existing equipment to be used.
The electrical infrastructure was designed to permit flexibility of future lab processes and equipment. This was achieved by providing receptacles of varying voltage and amperages. Surface mounted raceways integrated within the lab millwork also allow efficient changes of power and/or data systems in the future.
The HVAC system is comprised of a 100% Outdoor Air Unit and Hazardous Exhaust in the Lab. Packaged RTUs serve the office area. The laboratory area contains a host of lab gases, medical-grade compressed air, vacuum pump, acid waste, fume hoods and ovens. To ease future flexibility for the ever-changing needs of the research lab, underground sleeves were strategically placed. This allowed for new utilities to be reworked or added, keeping the sight line of the lab very clean and open.
In regards to ventilation requirements, the lab airflow was designed for eight air changes. The lab was designed for 68 at 45% RH. For improved air quality, Merv 14 filters were installed, especially due to the close proximity to manufacturing plants.
In addition, CMTA designed the security systems, with integration to the adjacent manufacturing facility. Security was very important to this client. Access controls for the site and CCTV were included.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2022
Size: 15,000 SF
Cost: $4,000,000
Project Type: New Facility
Northeast Distribution Center
McCormick Spice | Sparrows Point, Maryland
McCormick’s Northeast distribution center will be the company’s largest distribution hub in the world. Opened in 2022, the facility created 200 jobs and allowed McCormick to consolidate multiple warehouses and distribution facilities around the Baltimore region into the new distribution center.
This massive 1.8 million-square-foot distribution center broke ground in 2020 at Tradepoint Atlantic, the logistics hub that includes tenants such as Amazon, FedEx, Under Armour and Perdue, among others. The site was formerly occupied by Bethlehem Steel.
Designed to produce as much energy as it consumes, the facility’s MEP systems were selected and optimized to perform
efficiently. The design and installation of an 11MW roof-mounted solar array offsets the facility’s energy use, achieving the owner’s zero energy goal. We are also equipping the distribution center with a SPHERE virtual building energy dashboard that allows users to explore the building and its sustainable features.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2022
Size: 1,855,500 SF
Cost: $300M
Project Type: New Awards / Certifications: – Zero Energy Targeted – LEED Gold Certified
General Electric Appliance Park
General
Electric Company | Louisville, Kentucky
VISITORS CENTERS: Two 3,000 SF visitor centers within Buildings 5 and 2.
NEW PRODUCTION LINES: Two new production lines for a coating machine that coats a fine layer of silver acting as reflectors for lights. The project involved the design of the climate controlled rooms used to house the coating machine as well as the electrical and process gas connections for the machine.
RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS 1, 2, & 3: GE wanted to eliminate the use of their large central boiler plant to heat the office areas in Buildings 1, 2, and 3; provide process steam for washing in the same buildings; and provide steam for heating.
VENTILATION SYSTEM DESIGN FOR BUILDINGS 2 & 5: A new ventilation system was designed for battery chargers for fork trucks in Building 2. CMTA was involved in a complete renovation of Building 5 as part of GE’s capital campaign for restoring the appliance park. The ventilation and electrical system for a Vacuum Panel assembly line was designed for machines that complete the vacuum molding of the panels used in refrigerators.
RELOCATION OF THREE HALT CHAMBERS TO BUILDING 2: Electrical and plumbing design for the relocation of three HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Test) chambers. These chambers are used to test the life span of computer boards used in appliances.
LAB EXPANSION: A 1,520 SF lab expansion for testing of PC Boards for Hybrid Water Heater production.
WATER HEATING TESTING RENOVATION: Heating and electrical systems for enclosing 20,000 SF of water heater testing area in AP2.
TESTING LABS: Two 1,000 SF CMM testing labs in AP5.
HEATING ASSESSMENTS: Assessment of the existing heating capacity for all six buildings at the Appliance Park.
Tuffy’s Pet Foods Expansion
Tuffy’s Pet Foods, Inc. | Perham, Minnesota
The Tuffy’s Pet Food expansion added 180,000 square feet, increasing production capacity by 50%. The added space allows for company growth, meet the needs of customers, and provide a safer environment for employees, including all-new technologically advanced equipment.
Design of the new pet food facility was held to the same food-grade standards as food for human consumption. CMTA was responsible for all mechanical and electrical engineering designed to process over 40 different raw ingredients into a milled powder for further processing. Included in this was HVAC, plumbing, a central explosive dust collection system, including a central vacuum system, high-pressure
steam line design, along with various other building and process systems.
Deflagration suppression design was provided for combustible organic dust. The design focused on the installation of explosion suppression canisters on storage bins, dust collectors, and aspiration ducting to suppress any explosions prior to damage occurring to equipment or the explosions creating an unsafe situation.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2018
Size: 180,000 SF
Project Type: Addition & Renovation
KURZ Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility
Kurz Transfer Products | Mooresville, North Carolina
The 95,000 SF facility houses the new HQ/Manufacturing Facility for the hot stamping and coating technology industry. Approximately 50,000 SF of the space will be utilized for the production area, 12,500 SF of mezzanine is also included. Infrastructure was planned for approximately 20,000 SF to accommodate a future third level office area.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2020
Size: 95,000 SF
Cost: Proprietary
Project Type: New
Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Horry Georgetown Technical College | Winston Salem, North Carolina
A new 30,000 SF facility in Georgetown is home to Advanced Welding, CNC Machine Tool, Robotics and the Mechatronics Programs for Horry Georgetown Technical College.
The project effort consisted of the design and construction of a new 30,000 SF Center for Advanced Manufacturing Building. With a flexible design for each department, any lab space could be easily converted to another department in the future.
The building includes computer classrooms, offices, welding lab/shop areas, machining
and CNC lab/shop area, mechatronics/PLC lab, locker area, break room, a conference room, tool crib/storage rooms, mechanical and electrical rooms, sprinkler riser room and an open main lobby area for students and businesses to congregate in the open labs.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2019
Size: 30,000 SF
Cost: $7,800,000
Project Type: New Facility
Jabil Innovation Center
Jabil Inc. | St. Petersburg, Florida
The Jabil Innovation Center (JIC) underwent an extensive renovation to convert the outdated facility into a cutting-edge research and development space. The 40,000 SF facility houses a variety of labs that support Nypro, a healthcare subsidiary of Jabil, which specializes in designing and manufacturing products for the diagnostic, medical device, pharmaceutical delivery, and consumer health markets. CMTA designed new MEP and fire protection systems for the existing building.
Designed to support over 100 researchers, engineers, and technicians, the state-ofthe-art facility features the following lab spaces:
Advanced Process Development Lab: Creates manufacturing processes that integrate diverse disciplines — material science, chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering, robotics, and printed electronics
— to efficiently produce highly specialized and complex products.
Enterprise & Infrastructure Test Lab: Develops ways to assess the accuracy and reliability of testing procedures used to make equipment for cloud computing, data storage and networking, semiconductors, and photonics.
Failure Analysis Lab: Equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, including an X-ray machine comparable to those used by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to scan checked bags at Tampa International Airport.
Additionally, the facility includes a data center with two dedicated rooms, which accommodate 16 racks supported by two in-line mounted 40kVA UPS systems, complete with maintenance bypass cabinets. Overhead power distribution via drop
cords and a plug-in busway system offer flexibility to adapt power needs for each rack.
To improve the building’s resiliency, the project team salvaged the existing waterside structure, completely replacing its envelope and elevating the floor by two feet. This approach resulted in a more robust and resilient building, capable of withstanding Florida’s extreme weather and complying with the latest flood data.
Project at a Glance
Completion: 2019
Size: 40,000 SF
Cost: $11,450,000
Project Type: Renovation
Additional Experience
CMTA has helped to plan and design some of the most sustainable, energy efficient facilities operating nationwide. Our team works together to identify and deliver creative solutions for our clients to maximize the value of their infrastructure, buildings, and resources. We pride ourselves on being data-driven and conduct in-depth technical evaluations of facilities, building systems, and campus level infrastructure in order to collect and analyze the most current information. This data helps our clients make better decisions.
Select Project Experience
Bobcat Companies, Gwinner Factory Addition Gwinner, North Dakota
– 60,000 square-foot addition to the Gwinner factory – Cost: $25M; Completed: 2021
Bobcat Companies, Wahpeton Manufacturing Facility Wahpeton, North Dakota
– Several renovation projects, including installation of thermal deburring machine and cooling tower replacement
– New metals lab, including design of VAV, fume hood exhaust, and plumbing systems, as well as revision of existing ductwork
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Corporate HQ and Manufacturing Facility
Baudette, Minnesota
– Several engineering efforts involving HVAC, process, electrical, and controls systems
– Includes the design of clean rooms, containment systems, plant engineering level planning, and construction administration services
Trelleborg, Clean Room Addition
Northborough, Massachusetts
Confidential Technology Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing + Data Center
Mulitple Locations
– Several projects involving data centers, manufacturing cleanrooms, laboratory spaces, indoor manurfacturing and testing, and support spaces
Aldevron Campus Expansion Fargo, North Dakota
Let’s Talk.