
Trends in Dock Design
Dock design trends and technologies are changing. Here are six points to consider. By Tim Gibbons, ESI Group Vice President of Design INCREASED USE OF VERTICAL STORING LEVELERS: Vertical storage levelers are stored inside the dock in an upright position. …
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One Call Does It All
“One phone call does it all.” That’s how D&G Transportation Inc. describes its capabilities and customer service to prospective new customers in temperature controlled transportation and warehousing. A 27-year-old, family-owned company, D&G offers a full menu of inbound or outbound …
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Step up to the plate
Last fall, US Foods (USF) embraced a new brand identity and tagline (“Keeping Kitchens Cooking”) with innovative new foods, products and an easier service experience for customers. The company also renewed its commitment to reducing its environmental impact. In addition …
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It’s a good time to build
Lower labor and material costs make it a good time to build a new food plant or distribution facility. Yet most post prospective greenfield facility owners often don’t plan enough time to develop an accurate and detailed project schedule. Here’s …
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Wow your workers!
It’s one thing to tell employees how much they’re valued. Then again, actions speak louder than words. And action can begin during facility design and construction. Want to woo your workforce? Why not “wow” them? An employer’s attention to the …
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Energy loss? Convert fear factor into Power Factor.
Snakes. Bugs. Enclosed spaces. “Fear Factor” reality TV contestants face these common threats each week. So what scares food plant and to-day reality check involves a fear of operating losses-and one key area is energy efficiency. That’s why it’s important …
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Improve Food Safety
There’s a change in the air. New hygienic air handling technology and facility design strategies are improving processing plant food safety. Food process facilities are implementing hygienic controls and ongoing sanitation to ensure safety and quality. One critical sanitation process …
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US Foods puts its best food forward
You’ve heard the challenge “Put your money where your mouth is.” Now, one of the nation’s largest foodservice distributors is putting its money where the consumer’s mouth is. US Foods, headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., already introduced 30 new products this …
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Cascading Benefits
Cascade refrigeration, a relatively new industrial cooling technology, has proven itself as an economical, energy efficient and safer option to traditional ammonia-based systems. More U.S. food processors, food service, and cold storage warehouse operators have embraced this technology during the …
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Wastewater Management
New technologies, strategies boost efficiency, savings. Waste not. Want not. Perhaps the ultimate proverb about thriftiness and savings, this familiar phrase dates back hundreds of years. Then again, if you want to save money in wastewater treatment, you’ll want to …
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Money savings on the rooftop!
Project Profile Let’s talk about high performance. When a national broadline foodservice distributor wanted to expand its Dallas location, ESI Group presented several solutions to address current and future needs. This 2011 project consisted of a 54,000- square-foot warehouse expansion …
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Quality floor saves you more
Cold facility flooring often isn’t considered a key element in a successful operation, yet every building needs a firm foundation. Companies who overlook this soon realize how much of a headache it can become if problems arise. The truth is …
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Protect your good name
Sure, there’s a cost to food safety. But have you considered the cost of not addressing the issue? Among those keeping track is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which estimates the cost of food-borne illnesses at $152 billion per year, …
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Workplace that inspires
There’s no reason offices need to be boring. How about a workplace that inspires? ESI is proud of its work with client Sysco Food Services of L.A. to design and construct a 19,428-square-foot business review meeting center in Walnut, Calif. …
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You Recycle. We do too.
Plastic. Metals. Paper. Did you know that ESI Constructors believes in recycling at the construction job site — just like you do at home? Actually, you might not believe how much has changed in this aspect of construction waste management. …
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Cold storage, food companies warm to LEED
Leaders lead by example. It’s not surprising that temperature-controlled food processors, distributors and warehouse operators are considering the utmost in sustainable, green practices and perhaps LEED certification for their new or renovated buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) established …
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ESI keeps USF moving
Given the nation’s economic condition, any foodservice market growth is a good thing. So when U.S. Foodservice, Inc. wanted to expand its multi-temp distribution center in Boca Raton, Fla., we knew their success depended on our success. As part of …
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Cut costs, boost efficiency
It’s time to take a fresh look at automated material handling In the past, companies experiencing growth often turned towards building a new facility, or expanding their existing facility to help accommodate additional inventory. However, during the past three to …
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Time to think green
Plan energy reduction savings into your next project It’s only natural to think green when spring arrives. Then again, it literally can pay to think green — as in sustainable energy reduction — before temperatures begin to climb. Truth is, …
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