{"id":1348,"date":"2019-12-27T03:08:03","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T10:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/?p=1348"},"modified":"2021-03-02T10:45:10","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T17:45:10","slug":"expansion-1-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/expansion-1-of-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Expansion: Best Time to Plant an Oak Tree &#8211; 1 of 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">December 2019 Article<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By Tony Varela<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Introduction:<\/h2>\n<p>It all started with a vision.\u00a0\u00a0 Most people involved first heard about it nearly a decade ago.\u00a0\u00a0 However, for Owner and President, Tim Varela, the vision of building his own manufacturing plant started many decades earlier.\u00a0 He knew that his vision of a successful business did not start and stop with the services it provided or the products it built, it included the building and land it was located in and on.\u00a0 \u00a0He knew early on that he wanted to own and develop the land and facilities as well.\u00a0 So just where does one start when planning to purchase and develop land for a business?<\/p>\n<p>Well, they say <strong>&#8220;<\/strong><strong>the best time to plant an oak tree is thirty years ago.\u00a0\u00a0 The second best time is today.&#8221;<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Many challenges go into developing your own building and it takes a great deal of planning and foresight to do it well.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Does the company have a growth projection on the horizon to accommodate added costs of expansion?<\/li>\n<li>Is this the right time to put that amount of stress on the business?<\/li>\n<li>Just how much stress will it bring?<\/li>\n<li>How will the business manage changes and challenges associated with moving operations into a new facility?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This post is part of a two-part story of Meta Fab&#8217;s experience with our recent expansion and development of a new manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.\u00a0 This project took a bit of <strong>luck<\/strong>, some <strong>skill and wisdom<\/strong>, and a great deal of <strong>vision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Early Planning:<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In large part, Meta Fab spent most years in operation as a commercial tenant, rather than a property owner.\u00a0 Over time, Meta Fab grew into every nook and cranny the building had to offer suggesting expansion into a larger building was long overdue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Where and how?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Luck<\/b>.\u00a0 The property owner behind the original site was looking to sell quickly, which opened a new opportunity for our company.\u00a0 The site came with a 10,000 sf building and plenty of room on three open acres for a future building.\u00a0 Meta Fab purchased this site in 2013.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1352\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1352\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1352 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Bubbles-250x250.jpg\" alt=\"Bubbles\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Bubbles-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Bubbles-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Bubbles-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Bubbles-120x120.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Bubbles.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bubble Diagram<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1353\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1353\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1353 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Diagram-250x250.jpg\" alt=\"Work Flow Diagram\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Diagram-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Diagram-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Diagram-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Diagram-120x120.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Spacial-Diagram.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Work Flow Diagram<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Vision and Wisdom.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0010;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Later that year, Meta Fab met with\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.omep.org\/\">OMEP: Oregon Manufacturing Extension Program<\/a><\/span> to consult with their workflow and spacial layout professionals to develop the best workflow for our specific processes.\u00a0 Through this partnership, we were able to take a detailed look at our parts and processing centers.\u00a0 Through wisdom to know we needed support and a vision, Meta Fab took its first steps to arrange the precise space and departments we needed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Skill.<\/b> From years of experience and support from local resources, we were able to identify the amount of new space we would need for growth at a comfortable rate. Schematic drawings were done, an architect and a builder were identified; however, the timing didn&#8217;t feel right in a bull market so Meta Fab put the project on hold. Within a few years of strong growth, Meta Fab decided to move forward with its vision. We obtained secure lending, engaged a new builder and architect, and started the project.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s where the second part of that oak tree fable comes into play.\u00a0 No time like the present.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Finally, the decision was made to secure lending, engage a new builder and architect and start the project.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s where the second part of that oak tree fable comes into play.\u00a0 No time like the present.<\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1364 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2-700x339.jpg\" alt=\"Early Schematic 3D Model\" width=\"700\" height=\"339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2-700x339.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2-250x121.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2-768x372.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2-1536x744.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2-120x58.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Site-2.jpg 1916w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>The Kick-Off:<\/h2>\n<p>Perhaps a bit foolish, the decision to expand was halted as we insisted there would be a correction in the economy.\u00a0 Years passed and the economy kept surging, along with construction prices.\u00a0 We&#8217;ve always believed one can control their own destiny with planning and perseverance.\u00a0 The decision was eventually made to get started, regardless of what the economy was doing.<\/p>\n<p>We had a few pre-application meetings with the local jurisdiction.\u00a0 This process was a bit like drinking from a fire-house.\u00a0 \u00a0We decided to manage the project internally which had a lot of benefits, but if we&#8217;re searching for some good feedback, this might be one area.\u00a0 \u00a0Having an experienced owner&#8217;s representative onboard may be beneficial in that they will know what questions to ask, where certain programs exist and other savings and incentives may be lurking.\u00a0 \u00a0After the pre-app meeting, there were a few items like credits and incentives that were missed because we didn&#8217;t know exactly how to ask for them, or where to look.\u00a0 \u00a0After some pain-staking meetings with the City, some common ground was found and the project found smooth sailing once again.<\/p>\n<p>Another difficulty was managing the correspondence between the City planning dept and some of the parties on the design team.\u00a0 \u00a0There were unknown delays where communications would drop off and have to be picked back up.\u00a0 \u00a0Extra meetings were scheduled which meant lost time and more fees.\u00a0 \u00a0 A lot of this was due to the lack of experience within our internal team and managing design, construction, and planning teams and keeping all of them pushing forward to the same goal.<\/p>\n<h2>Breaking Ground:<\/h2>\n<p>Soon enough, permits were issued and we broke ground and hit the ground running.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1362\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1362\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1362 size-medium\" title=\"New Construction - Manufacturing Sheet Metal Building\" src=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-250x188.jpg\" alt=\"Ground Breaking\" width=\"250\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-700x525.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/0-120x90.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Design, Building, Owner, and City posing for a picture during the groundbreaking.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>At this point, we had an aggressive timeline to make up for the time lost during the planning &amp; permitting process.\u00a0 \u00a0Meetings were held bi-monthly with the building crew to make sure everything was staying on track.\u00a0 \u00a0It was a straight forward construction plan for a pre-engineered metal building, but with any project, surprises will arise.<\/p>\n<p>The design team was always available to answer any difficult RFI&#8217;s (Requests for Information) but the project eventually got to the point where most calls were made on location without the need for lengthy back-and-forth email conversations to get approval and clarification.\u00a0 \u00a0The teams found a good rhythm.<\/p>\n<p>For obvious reasons, proximity, the building team worked closest to the owner&#8217;s team and developed a strong process and flow of information.\u00a0 \u00a0Expectations were set early and a heavy review of every change order was expected.\u00a0 \u00a0When all was said and done, the change orders were managed and the project finished well below the expected scope creep that happens with any project.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Wrap Up:<\/h2>\n<p>There is a lot of moving pieces that go into building a new building.\u00a0 \u00a0Even one that seems straight forward like a PEMB or Tilt-Up will have plenty of surprises and unforeseen challenges.\u00a0 \u00a0Communication between the teams as often as possible really makes the project continue forward with as little hiccups as possible.\u00a0 \u00a0Finding a great design and building team is also critical to the success of any project.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for reading.\u00a0 \u00a0Look for our next installment on the expansion project coming out next month.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"December 2019 Article By Tony Varela &nbsp; Introduction: It all started with a vision.\u00a0\u00a0 Most people involved first heard about it nearly a decade ago.\u00a0\u00a0 However, for Owner and President, Tim Varela, the vision of building his own manufacturing plant started many decades earlier.\u00a0 He knew that his vision of a successful business did not&#8230; <span class=\"view-article\">Read more &rsaquo;<\/span>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[36,35],"tags":[79,78,63,77,75,53,76,20,48,52,51,26],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1348"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1348"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1348\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}