Since starting operations in 2019, Price’s Crestridge factory in Georgia has become the US base for production of many HVAC products, including chilled beams, underfloor air diffusers, fan columns and other products for Sustainable Systems; plenums for GRD; and silencers and acoustic panels for Noise Control.
The facility was purchased to accommodate growth, as sales were growing faster than what we forecasted the Suwanee plant could support. The Crestridge site was ideal for meeting our immediate needs while providing potential for future expansion. After a quick ramp up of key product categories, combined with the desire to bring additional products to Price’s manufacturing center in the southeastern United States, the next phase for Crestridge production came quickly. Within just two years, our plans for expansion were already in motion.
| The completed expansion in July 2023, with the new parking area in progress |
In 2021, design efforts detailed the expansion of the existing 100,000 sq. ft. facility, which would create an additional 75,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space on the property’s northwest side. The scope of the project also included new parking (a 217% increase), additional office space (more than a 100% increase), an overhaul of the HVAC system and a new break room to support our growing team.
| The construction site in March 2023: 23 tilt-up wall panels being removed with a 110-ton crawler crane (left) and wall panels being erected (right) | |
After spending most of 2022 finalizing designs, construction bids and other preconstruction activities, we began construction in fall 2022, completing the expansion in early 2024. For this project, some sizeable activities had to be coordinated, including the removal of more than 2,300 loads of dirt, temporary shoring of the existing plant structure and the removal of 23 tilt-up wall panels with a 110-ton crawler crane.
| The brand-new area, ready for equipment, October 2023 |
Outfitting the new addition has been an ongoing process to support the fabrication and assembly of our current and future products. Two crane bays with four 10-ton cranes were included for large material handling of either raw stock or finished goods, and space was allotted for additional fabrication equipment.
Some of our new equipment includes two high-speed laser cutters (one equipped with storage towers capable of holding 30 unique materials of raw sheet-metal stock), a panel bender and panel folder (both with automatic tool-change capability), two laser welders, two long-bed press brakes, two conventional press brakes, an automated press brake, and a host of tooling and assembly equipment, jigs and conveyors.
| The fabrication area of the expansion dedicated to new equipment, including high-speed laser cutters, panel bender and folder, laser welders and long-bed press brakes |
With the new products and equipment coming to Crestridge, we expect that the expanded space will be filled to the brim in no time, making it quite an exciting time for Price – as we continue building foundation that will serve us for years to come!