How to Prepare for Facility Expansion Success

Facility expansion. It’s the sort of thing that many companies look forward to and dread at the same time. Obviously, you want your business to do well enough to expand. Yet, you know full well that every expansion comes with big changes. People do not like change by nature. It’s what makes us “creatures of habit.”

How do you prepare your company for the change of facility expansion? Well, it starts at the very beginning. If you’ve already thought about what your company will look like 20 years down the road in your first construction plans, you have already made a good step forward. But if the thought has not crossed your mind before, it’s not too late! You can still make plans starting today. These key rules of thumb will help guide your company through the process.

How to Plan for Facility Expansion

1. Start Planning Your Staff Early

It’s easy to get caught up in the growing process of your building, but don’t forget about your company’s most important asset – your people. Whether your expansion involves a bigger facility or a new location, make sure it will be well staffed in time for Day One. Human resource experts recommend getting a staffing plan in place at least four to five months ahead of time. Use this time to introduce expansion in a positive light that meshes seamlessly into the company culture.

2. Assess the Current Conditions

Have a blueprint and financial game plan before you begin expansion. Check to see what kind of land you have to work with. Conduct a facility audit to assess the building’s current condition. Does it meet all the building code requirements? If not, you may need to invest in remodeling the current structure first. Once all possible areas of renovation are explored, think about which functions could be improved upon. Which aspects of the facility need to handle new growth the most? Can your current plumbing, electrical, and seismic infrastructures handle this kind of workload? These are good questions to sort through before the first shovel hits the ground.

3. Sometimes, Demolition is Necessary

It doesn’t always happen, but sometimes it is necessary to take parts of the building down in order to expand the facility. Think about how this may impact your workers and production outflow in this type of situation. You don’t want to hinder their progress with sectional removals and reconstruction even if they are temporary events. Plan ahead of time to prepare your company for this new change and foster a positive attitude that reflects excitement for this opportunity of growth in the company.

4. Keep Up Momentum

Getting past the “go live” date doesn’t stop there. It is important for any successful company to always keep thinking one step ahead. Better yet, maybe two or three. Planning expansions right from the start may feel like you’re going out on a limb, but the chance very well pays off if your company is strong and healthy. Stationary is not an option in the business realm. You either shrink or grow. With this in mind, it is always a good idea to build your expansions with a vision for more growth. If your facility expansions (and new buildings in general) are planned to expand even more in the future, it will be much easier to expand the next time. 20 years down the road is the vision goal for smart companies regarding expansions.

Your Partner in Facility Expansion

Like many aspects in business, facility expansion succeeds with a little bit of risk and a lot of hard work. Much long-term planning goes into the process that is well worth the effort with the end result. Have any questions about expansion or not sure if it’s right for you? Let’s talk. Our expert team at MH Williams Construction provides you solid guidance for navigating through the unknowns of expansion. From timing to infrastructure needs, we’re here to help you find the right strategy. Give us a call today or send us a message. We look forward to assisting you with the growth of your business!