The 468,100 sf GMCR Essex Plant featured in this Project Report was completed in August, 2013, with a total project cost of $30 million.
This award-winning project received recognition from The Association of Energy Engineers, New England Chapter, for Outstanding Energy Project New Construction and an Honor Award from Efficiency Vermont’s Best of the Best in Commercial Building Design & Construction: Large New Construction.
As one of the largest and full-service mechanical contractors in Vermont, the GMCR Essex Plant was a logical project for VHV to undertake. The combined use of the building provided VHV the opportunity to find innovative solutions to meet both industry standards for manufacturing facilities as well as efficient and productive office space for employees and personnel.
The large scale manufacturing/distribution facility required particular ventilation for the coffee roasting and processing, as well as efficient shell space and office space. The plant itself is located off of Kellogg Road in Essex Junction, VT, a busy and well-traveled commercial road.
The site location of the GMCR Essex Plant was selected for its proximity to public transportation and community services within a busy commercial district. In keeping with the company culture, bicycle storage, shower facilities and carpooling parking is provided for the building's occupants.
As with any manufacturing facility, consideration was necessary to provide employees and personnel with a healthy working environment. This was achieved through providing well-lit office areas with natural light and high quality, low-emitting materials within the building's interior. Materials were also selected for their durability and ease of maintenance over time.
To achieve the desired levels of efficiency throughout the facility, high efficiency lighting systems, high efficiency HVAC equipment, and controls for both lighting and HVAC systems were designed to reduce energy consumption and offer cost savings.
Within the Staff Services boundary, VHV found a solution to reduce potable water use by over 30%. The Staff Services portion of the facility achieved Gold LEED Status for Commercial Interiors based on its savings in sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environment quality, and innovative design.
When we are tasked to bring a project to optimal efficiency, it is often staggering to look at the projected savings when compared to less efficient practices.
4,4681,336 KWH
Cost Savings of $568,819
1,751,390 CCF
Cost Savings of $1,629,854
$2,198,673 every year
The GMCR Essex Plant facility was designed for high efficiency, and the projected annual savings are put into perspective below:
This project was achieved through multiple partnerships:
You can view photographs from the GMCR Solution Brief here.