KEB America Building Expansion

 

 

 

SHAKOPEE, Minn, August 29 – We announced the start of a major KEB America building expansion of our US headquarters in Shakopee, Minnesota. The expansion will increase machining capacity and storage space to meet the strong and growing demand of its automation products in North America.

 

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Building updates will be made on this article below.

KEB AMERICA – Building Expansion Press Release

 

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“We are excited to announce the new addition which solidifies our strong commitment to North American customers from coast to coast and to our local community,” said Andy Delius, President, KEB America. “The new space will enable us to meet the strong customer demand more effectively and expand our current product offering for the North American market.”

The building expansion will increase the footprint of our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility that was built in 2004, from 80,000 square feet to 150,000 square feet. The project is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2020.

Watch the timelapse video to see the progress of the addition.

 

 

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July 22, 2021 – Moving into the New Space

With the building expansion complete, we will continue to setup work stations, fill out storage shelves, and move what we need into the new space. We are thrilled to have the extra room and look forward to providing the best products and service to our customers.

 

Week of November 23, 2020 – New lights & flooring Upstairs

The upstairs work area of the new addition has new epoxy flooring and bright lights. Everything is looking great. We cannot wait to move in.

 

 

Week of November 16, 2020 – Front Patio Landscaping

The front entrance patio area has pavers in place. Now the rock edging and topsoil are being added to prepare for new grass, plants, and evergreen trees. We’re all looking forward to this new space to relax outside.

 

Week of November 9, 2020 – Storage Shelves Assembly

The largest room in the new building addition is now full of shelves and ready for parts and product inventory.  

 

Week of November 2, 2020 – Front Patio Preparation

The front entrance area between the new addition and the existing building is getting a new patio area for relaxing outside. A skid-loader and hand tool workers work to level and compact the ground before laying the pavers. 

 

Week of November 2, 2020 – Parking Lot Paving Final Layer

This week the parking lots all around our manufacturing facility got their top coat of pavement. It’s all so nice and new. 

 

Week of October 26, 2020 – Painting Continues

More painting is happening throughout the first and second levels. Everything will be bright white and clean before we start storing and manufacturing in the expansion.

 

Week of October 19, 2020 – Begin Storage Shelves Assembly

The largest area of the new building addition will be filled with shelves for parts and product inventory. This will give us greater capability to have products on hand and thus ready to ship as companies request them. 

 

Week of October 12, 2020 – Painting complete in Main Storage/Manufacturing Room

The giant room in our new addition has a nice new paint job which includes the yellow on the central support beams. Also, the HVAC ductwork is complete and painted. Framing and drywall work will continue on the office space in the front

 

Week of October 5, 2020 – Framing Complete on Front Offices

Framing on the front offices is done. The next step is to drywall this section of the new addition. 

 

Week of September 28, 2020 – HVAC System and More Framing

Not much has changed on the outside of the building this week. But on the inside the walls are white and the heating and air conditioning ducts are being installed to run climate control to each section of the new addition. There is also another section of metal framing going up on the Northside of the building. 

 

Week of September 21, 2020 – Interior Painting and HVAC

Walking into the new addition we were met with bright white walls and painters up on scissor lifts painting the ceiling. Also, the air ducts for the heating and cooling system were being hung in anticipation of the roof HVAC units being installed. 

 

Week of September 14, 2020 – Paved North Lot

The final section of the parking lot has now been paved and the loading docks on the Southeast side have all their doors and dock seals installed. 

 

Week of September 7, 2020 – Enclosing the Front Walkway

This week the front walkway is completely enclosed with waterproofing on the roof, windows and the external door installed. 

 

Week of August 24, 2020 – Loading Dock Door Install

One of the things happening this week is the installation of doors on the East facing loading dock. 

 

Week of August 17, 2020 – Pave West and South Side Parking Lot

The West, South, and half of the Northside parking lots have been paved and striped this week. Only one section on the Northside remains for repaving. 

 

Week of August 10, 2020 – Install North Side Windows

As seen in the picture below, Northside windows are being installed, while preparations were made on the West side of the building for paving the entrance and half of the Northside of the parking lot, the Westside and Southside.

 

Week of August 3, 2020 – Elevator Installation and more

The new elevator is being installed starting this week. This will be very helpful for carrying supplies up to the second floor while construction continues. In addition, the outdoor handrails and metal stairs have been installed on the loading docks and the exit doors. The framing of the Northside windows is also completed and ready for glass.

 

Week of July 20, 2020 – Pavement in the Parking Lot

This week we see the pavement being laid down in the parking lot area. This is very exciting because currently, parking is at a premium with the spaces blocked off for construction. In addition, the framing for the North facing windows is being installed. 

 

Week of July 13, 2020 – New Windows and Parking Lot Concrete Curbs

Some shiny new windows grace the side of our new building addition, seen in the picture below. Also, you can see an outline of the new parking lot taking shape as workers pour the curb Wednesday and Thursday this week. Inside the building, electricians, plumbers, and framers continue to make progress toward completion. 

 

Week of July 6, 2020 – Parking Lot, Electrical and More Framing

Inside the new addition, there are new electrical panels, stairs, fire sprinkler piping, and wall framing being installed. Outside the building, concrete for the loading dock has been poured and parking lot grading and prep work continue.  

 

Week of June 22, 2020 – Fire Sprinkler System, Stairs, and framing

The fire sprinkler system is nearly done and the stairs are being installed this week. The framing on parts of the second level is nearly complete. Soon the windows will go in and the last of the concrete ramp sections will be poured. 

 

Week of June 8, 2020 – Plumbing & Electrical

Bathroom plumbing and electrical are being installed this week in our new addition. You can see the plumbers below working on water and sewer lines that will service the new bathroom. There are also electricians running wires through the walls and ceiling. 

 

Week of May 25, 2020 – Pouring the floor concrete

This is an exciting week! The first few sections of the floor in the new addition are being poured this week. Concrete trucks will be moving in and out of the new addition most of next week as well to finish up the floor. 

 

Week of May 18, 2020 – New Water Line

A trench was excavated from the road and through the parking lot to run a water line to the new addition. 

 

Week of May 18, 2020 – Roof Wall covered

Construction workers have covered the gap in the roof of the new addition.   

 

Week of May 11, 2020 – Roof Wall Framing Completed

The gap in the roof is framed up and ready for covering and waterproofing soon. The gravel floor prep is nearly complete and waiting on a new water line coming in next week.  

 

Week of May 4, 2020 – Floor Prep and Roof Gap Wall Building

Inside the new addition, workers are busy laying down gravel and grading it before pouring the concrete. You might also be wondering if the gap in the roof is ever going to be closed. Well, this week they have started adding the wall that will seal off the roof of the new addition. 

 

Week of April 27, 2020 – KEB Sign Installation

New signs! On Thursday the sign company came and installed the KEB signs on the exterior of the new addition. They brought in cherry picker cranes to hoist the signs into place and secure it to the side of the building. 

 

 

 

Week of April 20, 2020 – Plumbing Work Continues

Now with most of the underground drainage pipes laid down, a majority of them are being back-filled before the floor concrete can be poured. 

 

Week of April 13, 2020 – Plumbing Work Continues in the Rest of the Expansion

This week inside our new addition, excavation work continued as plumbers dug trenches and installed pipes for drainage. 

 

Week of April 6, 2020 – Plumbing in Loading Dock Area

This week inside the loading dock area of our new addition, excavation work finished up as pipes were installed for drainage and then back-filled and leveled in preparation for the floor concrete.

 

Week of March 23, 2020 – Heating the Loading Dock Area

The ground is still mostly frozen inside the new addition because the sunshine cannot warm the ground. Because of this, beginning with the new shipping and receiving area, plastic has been used as a barrier to heat the ground before starting work on underground pipes and things. This work needs to be completed before pouring the concrete floor. 

 

Week of March 16, 2020 – Electrical Work Begins

Before the major work begins inside the new addition, electricians will install temporary lighting. This electrical panel will power part of the new addition for interior lights and tool use. After the last few sections of the roof are closed off, it will be pretty dark.  

 

Week of March 9, 2020 – Most of the Waterproofing Membrane Now Installed

Meanwhile, between our current building and the new expansion, construction workers erect the steel supports for the front walkway to connect the two structures. You can see workers on site to set the trusses in place and weld all the pieces to the frame.

 

Week of March 2, 2020 – Front Entrance Support Beams

Meanwhile, between our current building and the new expansion, construction workers erect the steel supports for the front walkway to connect the two structures. You can see workers on site to set the trusses in place and weld all the pieces to the frame.

 

Week of Feb 24, 2020 – Waterproof Membrane Installation Starts

Now that the metal sheets to support the roof are installed, the workers have begun applying the layers for waterproofing the whole expansion area. It’s only a matter of time before we move into our new expansion!

 

Week of Feb 24, 2020 – Sheet Metal Roof Support Installation

With the roof truss structures in place, workers are now installing the metal sheets that will support the final waterproofing layers to keep the rain and snow off the new expansion. Each day brings us closer to moving into the new space. 

 

Week of Feb 17, 2020 – Structural Roof Trusses Installed

These roof truss structures provide support for the new roof on the new building expansion. You can see we have another dusting of snow. That’s Minnesota in winter. 

Week of Feb 3, 2020 – Structural Columns and Beams

Construction continues this week with more columns and beams being installed. These steel structures will provide a strong skeleton for the new building expansion roof and interior walls.

Week of Jan 27, 2020 – Finishing Perimeter Wall

The really heavy lifting is done, so the large crane on-site finishes the last of the perimeter wall sections before leaving KEB’s property. You can also see the second-story floor slabs are in place for the next phase of construction.

 

Week of Jan 20, 2020 – Installing Second Floor

Most of the masonry walls are complete. This gives the construction crew a green light to construct the second floor with structural columns, beams, and preformed floor sections. You can see the first row of floor sections are now welded into place with the second row soon to be installed.

 

Week of Jan 13, 2020 – Unloading Structural Trusses

Trucks hauling structural trusses showed up on the construction site today. These trusses will be used to build the floors and roof of the new building. Also, the masonry work continues inside the walls of the new expansion and soon the concrete floor will be poured. Things continue to come together each week.

 

Week of Jan 6, 2020 – Interior Masonry Walls

With the new elevator shaft shell structure complete on the right side of the picture below, efforts are now turning to interior walls and other masonry work. A wall is rising on the left side of the picture below. The next couple steps of the construction will be to pour the concrete floor and put the ceiling trusses. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

 

Week of Jan 6, 2020 – Roof Over Loading Dock and Elevator Shaft

Welcome to 2020! After the holiday season, we can see progress on our new addition didn’t slow down much. In the image below you can see the roof over the new loading dock section is up and now covers the ground below. Also, you can see the new elevator shaft on the left is up and other masonry work is happening inside the perimeter of the walls of the new addition.

 

Week of Dec. 23, 2019 – Walls Up and Roof Trusses Being Installed

The walls have been installed all the way around the perimeter of the new addition, save one access point on the East wall. The roof trusses are nearly complete over the new shipping and receiving area. We’re excited to see what progress will come after the new year.

 

Week of Dec. 16, 2019 – North Wall Sections

The North wall is being set into place this week. You can suddenly see how tall the new addition is in comparison with the existing building. Excitement is building as we see the pieces come into place and the prospect of having more space comes closer.

 

Week of Dec. 9, 2019 – East Wall Sections

You can see both more snow and more progress on our building expansion this week. The taller crane they brought on site this week continues to hoist up the wall sections on the East side of the new addition. Construction workers weld the pre-formed sections together and the metal braces are put in place to hold the wall in place until the roof structure is installed.

 

Week of Dec. 9, 2019 – Installing More Wall Sections

The wall sections continue to go up this week. The Southside exterior wall is nearly complete. Later this week a taller crane will be brought on-site to lift the other wall sections for the East and North sides of the addition. These sections are roughly twice as tall as the ones pictured below.

 

Week of Dec. 2, 2019 – Walls Going Up!

This week we get to see the exciting phase of construction when the walls start going up. They are starting on the South side by the loading dock and working their way East.

 

Week of Nov 18, 2019 – Masonry Work Continues

The existing building continues to be modified on the East wall to connect with a much higher wall of the new addition. The roof on the West end is currently being redone at the same time. The next few steps will be masonry work on the North side below ground level, and building up the stairways of the new addition.

 

Week of Nov 18, 2019 – Masonry Work on the East Wall

Masonry work is being done in preparation for connecting the existing building to the new addition. The roof of the new section will be much higher than the existing structure. Also, the rest of the foundation on the North Side of the building has been poured and prepped for construction.

 

Week of Nov 11, 2019 – Digging Out North Side of Property

On the north side of the building, we saw the excavating contractor digging out the last of the footings for the new addition. This is the last of the trenches being dug for the outline of the building expansion. After the concrete is poured in the next few days we’ll hopefully be ready to start seeing the walls going up.

 

Week of Nov 4, 2019 – Re-roofing

Last week the roofing company started the process of prepping the roof, lifting materials up with a crane, and using a giant vacuum to remove excess rock material. This week they are going section-by-section taking up the old roof and laying down new material. This will mean the existing building and new addition will both have a new roof when construction is complete.

 

Week of Oct 28, 2019 – More Concrete and New Electrical Panel

Most of the concrete footings around the outside of the new addition are complete. This week also saw electrical work near the front entrance on the North side of the building. They dug a trench for high power to be pumped into the new addition. We will also have an increase in electrical power in the building (both old and new sections), which will be useful for our R&D department running higher power tests than previously available.

 

Week of Oct 21, 2019 – Pouring Concrete Footings

This week the concrete trucks pulled in to begin pouring the footings for the walls of the new addition. They began by the loading docks to the south of the building, working their way over to the east side. At the same time, a crew begins redoing the roof on the current building.

 

Week of Oct 21, 2019 – Outline of the Foundation Takes Shape

The Outline of the building can be seen in the soil and the temporary wooden forms for pouring concrete are being constructed in the trenches. Soil work is being done as the excavator digs the footings because the ground is very sandy. Concrete trucks will be coming and going, pouring the foundation for the next week or two.

 

Week of Oct 14, 2019 – Digging the Footings

After a couple of weeks of slow progress, construction has picked up again with digging the footings for the walls of the new addition. They use a track hoe to dig trenches, a skid steer loader doing some of the smaller digging and grading work, and a crew laying the wood frames for pouring the concrete.

 

Week of Sept 23, 2019 – More Sand Removal

This is another week of digging, loading, and hauling sand off-site. You might also notice the two concrete walls protruding from the rear of the loading dock have been taken down. The base of the walls is still visible in the image below. Each step brings us closer to seeing the addition become reality.

 

Week of Sept 16, 2019 – Excess Sand Removal

Sand piled up on the south side of the building is now being trucked off-site to make room for a storm-water management pond, service road, and an expanded shipping and receiving area.

 

Week of Sept 9, 2019 – More Grading

Grading the plot of land next to our existing building is nearly complete. They discovered a great deal of sand under the topsoil on our property, which will be sold to recover some of the expenses of the building project. The large mound of sand on the south side of the building will be trucked off-site by the end of the week if all goes according to plan.

 

Week of Sept 2, 2019 – Grading

This week the KEB America building expansion has seen the excavating team begin the process of grading the construction site, bringing the ground to the correct level before digging the outline of the new addition. There will also be a retention pond in the back of the lot for water runoff. Things are really moving forward!

 

Week of Aug 26, 2019 – Tree Relocation

This week a tree company came to re-locate some trees from the construction site to the area in front of our parking lot. Instead of bulldozing all the trees where the building expansion will be constructed, we decided to move as many as we could to the north side of the building between the road and our parking lot.

They are looking great out front.