It has been well over a year since the plant expansion for FischerSIPS was completed! It’s time to check in with the owner, Damian Pataluna, to see how it has impacted the company.
What are the biggest changes you have seen within FischerSIPS since the plant expansion and how has it contributed to workplace productivity?
The plant expansion has allowed us to become more efficient and run more products through the plant daily. Since doubling our square footage, we are now able to lay out 18 to 22 panels instead of just 3-5 panels like we did in the past. The extra space also allows us to keep the product flow headed in one direction. Previously we had to move panels in and out and back in again regularly which was a slower process. Within the past year we have seen major improvements and now most of that has now been eliminated.
What have you used this additional space for?
The additional space has allowed us to increase our fabrication operation. Specifically, we now have plenty of room for installing lumber into panels which is what we refer to as RTA (Ready to Assemble). Furthermore, we have been able to store more lumber and of different sizes inside the plant.
What were your goals for the plant expansion and have they been executed since?
I knew I needed more space for productivity and to keep panels out of the weather. I never imagined I would gain as much productivity as I have. For the past 10 years, I’ve personally run a weekend shift to help keep up with fabrication. It’s been nice to not have to work in the shop every single Saturday & Sunday just to keep up!
What is unique about this expansion and how can others do the same?
First, we partnered with a Butler building building company and wrapped it with SIPS. This allowed us to have a large open space with no support beams in the middle of the floor area. Our building is 75 feet wide. There are metal purlins that connect the large steel bents. To install the SIPS to them, we were able to screw them into the light gauge purlins that are on 4 foot centers. Interestingly enough, I would have thought doubling the size of the plant would have doubled our energy bills. To the contrary, because we used SIPS, our energy bills have only increased roughly 20% ! I’m very pleased with that, and not to mention, the new SIPS addition is super comfortable in the winter time with minimal heat. The guys really seem to like the new space. For anyone looking to expand their space, I would highly recommend combining SIPS with steel, or even SIPS alone if possible. The general contractor said it would have taken him 3 weeks to stick frame and insulate around the butler steel building. We had all of the SIPS installed in just 6 days! He was very impressed with the speed of the installation.
We are pleased with the results from our expansion and can not wait for the future opportunities that it will present us with!