The environment facing automotive sector manufacturers is fierce. Changing regulations, competition, ever-changing technology and customer preferences—not to mention the pandemic and a fluid, global economy—create challenging conditions for automakers as well as their suppliers.
Brindley Construction understands this.
Our team has learned much from our experience. We understand that every project these days needs to be fast-tracked—requiring quick turnaround, coordination and completion to optimize cash flow and to get new products to market, or to boost production capacity to meet demand.
We understand the need to continually refine our process to build more efficient, flexible, and sustainable plants. We know that our company must also be as competitive and responsive to auto parts manufacturers as they must be with their own clients.
As a design-build construction company, we have extensive experience constructing manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, offices, and associated structures for the auto parts industry. Our work in the southern region of the U.S. includes both specialty design projects and expedited construction using pre-engineered metal buildings.
In the past few years, we have built more than 500,000 square feet of industrial space for auto parts manufacturers alone in Tennessee, representing millions of dollars of investment and thousands of new jobs.
The Action Moves South
For more than two decades, we have served Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 auto parts manufacturing companies with everything from original design and construction projects to facility expansion and renovation projects.
Our location in the heart of the U.S. auto manufacturing belt—a geographic region that includes the historically powerhouse auto states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois) as well as the fast-growing southern contingent (Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi)—has been helpful. We’re in the center of a growing market for U.S. car manufacturing as more and more automakers establish domestic production facilities, an increasing number in the south. Auto manufacturers located in the top ten states alone nourish more than 3,000 unique parts-producing companies.
Indeed, the action has moved south. Southern states, offering competitive labor rates and often generous financial incentives from local governments, have welcomed carmakers from Germany, Japan, and South Korea in the last decade. The most recent announcement is a big win for North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. More than a dozen states competed for the brand new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) joint manufacturing plant. The announcement in 2018 that MTM would locate its $2.3 billion (originally $1.6 billion) facility in Huntsville was a coup for Alabama, where the plant is in the process of creating 4,000 new jobs.
Brindley Brings Experience and Local Knowledge
When an auto parts manufacturer decides to open a new plant, there are several critical things it needs from a building contractor. Auto parts firms are often under pressure to build a new facility quickly—to get up and running in mere months in order to take advantage of new business opportunities.
But speed isn’t the only requirement. While the ability to complete a building project on time is critical, contractors also need to provide the experience to open up creative options for the client, competitive pricing, reliable cost estimates and value engineering. Another important benefit is a deep knowledge of the local market so that logistics such as knowledge of soil types, pertinent ordinances, building permits and approvals, and other items are expeditiously navigated and satisfied.
These are all skills Brindley Construction brings to every new auto parts plant building project it undertakes. That’s why our reputation and ability to compete in the marketplace is so important to us. We are ruthless in protecting our track record for quality construction that is delivered on time, built within budget, and which meets all local codes and requirements.
The proof is in the pudding: Six Auto Parts Plant Construction Projects
Here’s a recap of some of our auto parts manufacturing construction projects:
TENNEPLAS-WINDSOR MOLD USA, INC.
Brindley Construction handled the manufacturing plant expansion for Tenneplas Manufacturing, a division of Windsor Mold USA, Inc., which produces exterior moldings, grille opening reinforcements, wheel covers, cowl vents, and splash shields for the automobile industry.
The 80,000-square-foot expansion project consisted of a pre-engineered metal building with standing seam roof and eight-foot-high masonry block walls. Above the manufacturing floor, electrical specifications called for high bay light fixtures. Process piping included a chill water system, air rotation units, compressors, air loops, and a compressed air receiver tank. Outside, special storm piping was installed for the heavy-duty asphalt yard paving.
Massive increases in production necessitated a 30,000-square-foot addition to the manufacturing floor as well as a separate storage facility with a complete sprinkler system for client shipping containers.
In 2017, Brindley Construction was called upon to build another 30,000-square-foot addition. Completed in the spring of 2018, this addition extended the previous facility and allowed for additional injection molding machines.
In October of 2020, Brindley began construction on Tenneplas’ new 38,000-square-foot addition to their Pulaski facility. The project is expected to be completed in August of 2021.
PROPER POLYMERS
Brindley Construction handled the manufacturing and warehouse addition for Proper Polymers, an injection molding manufacturing facility serving the automotive industry. The original building was renovated and remodeled to provide an efficient, clean, and attractive manufacturing area as well as company offices. The 33,000-square-foot addition to the existing Pulaski manufacturing facility includes 8,000 square feet of warehouse space and 25,000 square feet of space for production, injection molding, assembly, and hard coat painting. The project also included electrical work, gas compression work, and process water piping.
INTREGRITY TOOL & MOLD, INC
Brindley was the design-build contractor selected to complete a new manufacturing building for Integrity Tool & Mold’s new manufacturing facility. Located in the South Industrial Park in Pulaski, Tennessee, Integrity Tool & Mold designs and manufactures high quality, high production tooling to suit presses ranging from 200- to 5,000-tons. Brindley designed and built a pre-engineered metal building to meet the company’s need for additional manufacturing space as well as new offices.
In 2019, the Brindley Team constructed a new injection molding facility for Integrity that includes a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing space and 4,200 square feet of office. The design-build project enabled Integrity to tool up quickly to supply automotive clients across the country with quality injection molded parts.
C&S PLASTICS, LLC
When C&S Plastics, which specializes in plastic injection molding and is a first and second tier supplier for the automotive industry, needed a new manufacturing building and addition in Fayetteville, Tennessee, Brindley Construction got the call. Brindley first built the pre-engineered metal building as a speculative building and performed a build-out of the shell when C&S occupied the space. Brindley returned again to work with C&S to complete a new 40,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal addition to provide the company with additional warehouse space.
SAARGUMMI TENNESSEE, INC
Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, SaarGummi is a leading manufacturer of innovative sealing systems for the automotive industry. In 2009 and 2011, Brindley Construction performed plant renovations and expansions that included two design-build pre-engineered metal building additions. The scope of services included architectural, structural and civil drawings, site work, concrete dock pits, lift and roll doors, dock levelers, a fire protection system tied to the city main, water and sewer piping, new gas piping, and the complete installation of two 20-ton gas packs.
NORTH AMERICAN STAMPING GROUP – TENNESSEE SOUTH
The Brindley team began construction of this manufacturer’s facility with site grading and the design of a system to divert water away from existing buildings and new construction. Within the 25,000-square-foot addition, reinforced concrete with high-load capabilities was installed in the press pit areas. To reduce operating costs and enhance working conditions, the building was equipped with LED lighting. In addition, the floor was treated with an epoxy coating and all the steel surfaces were painted white.
One of the challenges of this project was to remove the end wall columns of the existing building and to redesign the steel to allow for the columns to be removed. Another challenge involved supporting a crane in the existing space during construction.
MAGNETI MARELLI
Brindley Construction built a 63,000-square-foot addition to Magneti Marelli’s existing automotive lighting plant. Magneti Marelli is a leading automotive systems and components supplier, providing automotive lighting solutions, shock absorbers, and exhaust systems. This project included demolition of the common walls and floor slab, site work, concrete, and all steel, girts, siding, trusses, and roof decking. In addition, the Brindley team relocated crane stops and provided all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services.
In addition to working with auto parts manufacturers, we have had the pleasure of working with manufacturers like Frito Lay on their Nut Crisp Line and their Employee Welfare Center, and performing multiple projects for Clayton Cavalier Homes, owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway.
ABOUT BRINDLEY CONSTRUCTION
Established in 1960, Brindley Construction has grown and evolved into a successful full-service construction company with extensive experience in commercial, industrial, institutional, educational, religious and assisted living projects. An active member of the Associated Builders & Contractors, Brindley has earned the designation as an Accredited Quality Contractor and has won numerous regional and national awards for Excellence in Construction and Safety.
Over the past six decades, Brindley has continually stayed abreast of technological advances in the building industry and makes that technology available to its customers—from the construction planning and design stage through the delivery systems chosen to complete projects. Brindley's broad experience and long history allows it to provide clients with complete design-build, general contracting, construction management, and renovation services. The company also excels in constructing pre-engineered metal buildings, which offers flexibility in design and significant time and cost savings.
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