Check out Stancold Plc’s new video: The Art of Value Engineering with Andy Connell | Smarter Food Facility Fit-Outs!
Stancold Food Projects’ 75+ years of experience working in food and drink production environments gives us the expertise to value engineer a project to better fit a client’s budget while still meeting their goals.
In this video, Andy Connell, Stancold’s Business Development Manager for Food Projects, explains three key approaches to value engineering and how they can make a real difference on food and drink production sites.
He also discusses a practical example of value engineering using a project Stancold completed for Proper Cornish, a savoury goods producer in Bodmin.
- Product & Specification Value Engineering
This method derives from Stancold’s strong relationships with a portfolio of suppliers for the materials needed to complete food facilities fit-out projects.
In many cases, food and drink facility managers have a certain brand in mind for their fit-out project, but going with an alternative supplier could be more cost-efficient without compromising on performance or compliance.
Stancold’s extensive network of suppliers and experience using various materials over the years gives us the ability to search for various options that could make a project more cost-efficient.
- Functionality Value Engineering
Functionality value engineering combines two elements: repurposing existing facility elements and identifying alternative solutions that align with the client’s goals and budget.
Often, Stancold’s team can identify elements of your existing facility that can be repurposed for the new project. For example, if a facility has a door as part of an unused area, Stancold can determine whether that door can be used for the new configuration, both in terms of functionality and quality. If it can, this can be incorporated into the scope of work of the new contract.
Functionality value engineering also means thinking creatively and strategically—proposing alternative layouts, components, or build methods that deliver the same operational outcomes more efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Scope Reduction Value Engineering
Rather than approach value engineering a project from the angle of the materials used, this method focuses more on smart space planning.
Stancold’s team will work with the client and determine whether a different amount of space in the facility can still safely and effectively achieve the client’s production goals.
In many cases, the same production goals can be achieved in a reduced area, resulting in less whitewall partitioning and a more cost-effective installation.
Plus, it frees up valuable space in the facility for future expansion or additional processes down the line!
Application of Value Engineering at Proper Cornish
Recently, the Stancold Food Projects team were able to apply a value engineering approach to a freezer fit-out at Proper Cornish.
Proper Cornish contacted Stancold in April 2024 to install a cold store for their bacon products in an unfinished part of their factory. As this space was used for storage at that time, part of it has existing whitewalls that our team could incorporate into the build.
During the site visit, Andy identified an opportunity to reduce project costs and improve spatial efficiency. This involved changing the plans to build a straight wall across the existing steel columns rather than fitting the whitewall around them.
The cold storage area would be used for storing pallets, rather than small boxes, so the client did not require the small amount of extra space that fitting around the columns would provide. They welcomed Stancold’s recommendation to build the wall as a straight run, which reduced both the installation time and overall project cost.
These are the types of solutions Stancold can apply when working with BFBi members and associated drinks producers to deliver smarter, cost-effective fit-out projects.
Get in touch with the Stancold Food Projects team to learn more about how they can help you build facilities that meet your operational needs without breaking your budget.
📞 0117 316 7000
💻 https://stancold.co.uk/services/food-facilities/taste-of-the-west/
