39th Annual Plant Construction Survey: Projects Peak as Consumer Demands Grow

From the June 2016 issue of Food Engineering

The total number of reportable food projects in 2015 (694) represents a 9.3 percent increase over 2014’s number (635) and a 26 percent increase over the 10-year simple average of 551. The total new reportable food projects in 2015 (221) is a 0.45 percent increase over 2014’s 220 and a 32 percent share of the 694 total projects in 2015. The 2015 renovations/expansions category total (473 projects) is 14 percent higher than 2014’s total (415 projects). The renovations/expansions category accounts for 68 percent of total projects in 2015.

“New construction over the last few years has declined in lieu of the renovations and expansions of existing facilities,” says Sean Barr, senior director of project planning for The Austin Company. “Food manufacturing companies appear to be ensuring they fully utilize their existing resources, prior to executing greenfield projects.”

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