Food Processing center

Client:
Marukome USA, Inc.
Project Completion:
December, 2007
Work Executed:
Development
Site Selection
Design
Construction
Floor Space:
19,000 sq. ft
Location:
17132 Pullman Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614

DETAILS

Marukome, USA Inc. is the biggest miso manufacturer in Japan. They have decided to expand to North America in 2007, because of the potential demand for healthy Japanese food. 
We helped Marukome, USA Inc. to establish a corporate office and manufacturing center in the United States. This project was the pioneer for our company’s project development services. We have divided a property into the main manufacturing facility, corporate office and a sub-leasing space.

CHALLENGES

1. Site Selection
The first challenge of this project was site selection. Although Japanese food is known worldwide, we first needed to explain to local city government what “MISO” was. 
We translated the project specifications into English, added architectural aspect and presented them to the City.

2. Communicating with Client (Between Japan and the U.S.)
We received equipment layout from the client in Japanese and converted metric units into U.S. standard units. We kept close communication with the client, Japanese equipment contractor and architect via e-mail and TV conference. Also, the Japanese production managers visited the United States twice to have detailed meetings. Our architect, who works with United States standards, helped the client by interpreting simultaneously whenever the Japanese equipment contractor had a meeting with the American equipment engineer.

3. Coordination between Japanese subcontractor and American subcontractor
The biggest challenges during the construction phase were coordinating communications among Japanese equipment contractors and American subcontractors, while managing the construction schedule. 
Our company had one permanent project coordinator on site, in addition to another worker from the design department who was responsible for answering design questions asked by subcontractors.

USE OF RETOUCHED PHOTOS

Under our company’s confidentiality and compliance agreement, some indoor equipment and people associated with this project may be shown in retouched photos.