Mexico Archives - SSOE Group

To support their North American growth in the production of automotive electronic components, Continental AG chose an EPCM approach to deliver a modern, world-class greenfield facility in central Mexico. Due to our deep understanding of what is currently driving Continental’s business, knowledge of their various facilities, ability to successfully partner on large-scale projects, and proximity to the site, SSOE was selected to serve as designer, construction manager, and owner’s agent on the project located in FINSA Industrial Park.

The expert design team we assembled utilized SSOE’s Revit-based platform to create a complex 3D model that was used for weekly review meetings, and can be further utilized by the client’s maintenance staff to make future updates and repairs. Although our U.S. staff served as the discipline leads, we engaged our multidisciplinary, English-speaking team in León, Mexico to heavily support the design phase and bring additional value to our client. During the design phase, our team suggested design enhancements to achieve Continental’s desired vision for the new facility—suggestions were incorporated with no
impact to the original schedule.

Building areas on the 122,000 sq. m. site totaled 24,250 sq. m. and consisted of a single story manufacturing facility and adjacent two-story office, staff area, and cafeteria. The project also included infrastructure lines on-site, internal roads, parking lots, bus drop off and truck waiting areas, as well as median connections to the park road at the boundary of the property. Design was complete within the aggressive five month schedule.

June 2, 2022/in Automotive Architecture, Engineering, Data / Fire / Security (DFS) International, Mexico Markets - Automotive, Markets - Manufacturing /by hitch

Nissan North America commissioned SSOE to provide the design of its new automotive assembly facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This 1.9 million SF facility is the first of three project phases planned for the greenfield site. SSOE delivered this fast-track project in partnership with Yates Construction, who served as the prime general contractor and provided at risk construction services for the manufacturing plant. The plant was designed, constructed, and placed in production within 22 months.

SSOE was responsible for the entire assembly plant layout and subsequent design of the automotive manufacturing campus. The project involved multiple buildings to be completed simultaneously, including more than 300 acres of developed land, a stamping facility, body assembly shop, paint shop, and final assembly area. Additional facilities were designed to support the manufacturing system, such as an electrical switchyard; water pretreatment, wastewater treatment, and stormwater systems; and a fire protection system, including storage tanks.

March 3, 2022/in Pharmaceutical Architecture, Engineering Mexico Markets - Pharmaceutical /by Hannah Lee

One of our long-standing consumer products clients recently acquired several product lines from a global healthcare company’s consumer health division. To expand further in the Latin American markets, they wanted to create a production facility in Mexico. After a recommendation from a general contracting partner in Mexico, they short-listed our team to provide design engineering services and ultimately hired us based on our knowledge of Lean tools and delivery methods, our relationship with the client’s U.S. counterparts, and our ability to work locally.

Still underway, the new three-story, 50,000 SF freestanding facility is being built in a fully Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) environment. Although we’ve completed projects at varying degrees of Lean intensity, this is SSOE’s first Integrated Form of Agreement (IFOA)—a contract that incorporates Lean practices and establishes shared risk and reward with our client and three trade partners to tie team success to project success.

The SSOE-designed facility will produce solid oral dose tablets for over-the-counter distribution in a growing market on our client’s existing campus. Our team is also providing process design, validation, and start-up services, bringing in a resource in product development to assist with formulation transfers and technology selections. By having project activities occur concurrently, it is allowing and engaging early contribution of knowledge and expertise of contractors in key trades.

The design phase is complete and construction is underway. SSOE has a full-time engineering resource on-site as a single point of contact for the trade partners and client. This full-time presence is a significant investment, but we believe the time savings associated with rapid information flow and increased quality control makes this a cost and time savings approach.

July 9, 2018/in Manufacturing Engineering International, Mexico /by hitch

SSOE’s approach expedited decision making and helped Goodyear streamline a design process that would typically extend throughout the entire construction phase.

In collaboration with Goodyear engineers and our construction partner, SSOE completed a highly integrated utilities and process installation design for a 1 million SF tire manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This is Goodyear’s first new manufacturing facility in the America’s in 25 years and will produce approximately 6 million premium tires will be produced at the facility annually.

Goodyear selected SSOE for its breadth of engineering services and advanced design delivery methodologies. For example, SSOE maximized use of advanced software tools (Bluebeam, Navisworks) for highly efficient, issue-focused design reviews. SSOE’s approach expedited decision making and helped Goodyear streamline a design process that would typically extend throughout the entire construction phase.

SSOE worked with Goodyear’s design engineers to introduce an alternative design approach, establishing a dynamic three-way SSOE-Goodyear-contractor partnership and adding value to this highly successful project.

As a result of our advanced engineering design services, SSOE was also asked to provide piping fabrication spool drawings for a major equipment set to assist the contractor with overall timing and installation.

July 6, 2018/in Manufacturing Engineering, Architecture International, Mexico /by hitch

American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) selected SSOE to assist with conceptual design and construction document development for their new 300,000 SF manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico.

This project commanded strict design document reviews by all disciplines in order to comply with the requirements of Mexico’s local and state laws, as well as AAM’s international standards. In addition, effective communication between SSOE, the General Contractor, and AAM helped to log sufficient information in order to solve any problem or conflict that was presented.

SSOE also served as Owner’s Representative for the design / build phase of the project with a Construction Manager. We worked full-time on-site reviewing the quality of the construction, making sure that the contractor delivered according to the design and engineering, managing schedules, monitoring progress, and inspecting shop drawings, among many other activities.

June 27, 2018/in Manufacturing Architecture, Engineering International, Mexico Markets - Distribution Centers /by Hannah Lee

In Mexico, Walmart is ramping up its distribution capabilities with a number of new distribution centers to expedite and improve product delivery to its stores. The new distribution centers will allow Walmart to strengthen and expand its logistics operations, with the goal of reducing time and costs in the supply process.

With an ambitious multi-year schedule for program completion, Walmart’s plan involves the construction of new distribution centers and the upgrading of existing centers. The retailer has engaged SSOE as one of their strategic partners to help design and build new centers in Chihuahua, Tabasco, and Chalco, with potential for additional projects. The facilities in Chihuahua (35,000 m2) and Chalco (60,000 m2) are dry warehouses, while the facility in Tabasco (38,000 m2) is a refrigerated distribution center—a project requiring unique refrigeration experience that other A/E firms in Mexico were unable to provide.

SSOE’s phased design approach prioritizes close communication and coordination between multiple Walmart divisions (including logistics, human resources, safety, and operations) and the SSOE project team. This includes continuously updating coordination and communication tools used for project delivery, and leading workshops and design review meetings that incorporate 3D Virtual Reality walk-throughs. This approach ensures that the integrated design team is able to focus on project goals and provide an operationally efficient and flexible design.

The benefits of SSOE’s ongoing partnership with Walmart include in-depth understanding shared by all team members of Walmart’s goals, needs, and business objectives, as well as the ability to ensure consistent implementation of Walmart’s global design and construction standards from project to project.

June 7, 2018/in Manufacturing Engineering, Data / Fire / Security (DFS) International, Mexico /by raincastle

Saved the client $26,000 through cost effective practices such as using aluminum conductors instead of copper conductors and reducing the quantity of clean agent tanks.

Boeing was contracted to deliver an end-to-end satellite communications system that included two new ground monitoring stations. Each station consisted of a highly technical control room and server rooms. Boeing called upon SSOE to provide mechanical, electrical, and fire protection engineering services for the rooms.

SSOE’s responsibilities included design of the facilities’ Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, back-up generators, HVAC systems, and fire protection systems. SSOE used a clean agent suppression system as part of the fire protection that would not harm the sensitive equipment. Additionally, because both facilities are located in extremely hot and dry environments, special considerations were made for the HVAC systems. Seismic considerations were also incorporated into the design for the Mexico City facility.

SSOE designed the stations in accordance with International Building Code and worked closely with the end- user’s construction manager and architect in Mexico.

May 31, 2018/in Food & Beverage Engineering International, Mexico /by david

Fast-track conversion of abandoned brownfield factory into full-fledged food manufacturing facility. Modified original site layout saving $500,000.

When Hershey embarked on the conversion of an abandoned brownfield factory into a new candy manufacturing facility in Mexico, SSOE was asked to join the design / build team that turned it into a viable production facility for its chocolate products. With a history of success on fast-track food projects, the team was able to immediately respond to the challenging project demands, which allowed for parallel design and construction.

SSOE’s scope entailed design for the addition of 300,000 SF of process and packaging space, which included nine production lines, an 85,000 SF warehouse, a new 15,000 SF cafeteria, and a new substation. SSOE also designed in-plant laboratory space and consulted with Hershey on the purchasing of utility equipment.

The original facility was not in compliance with U.S. food processing standards. SSOE provided expertise in this area throughout the facility design.

SSOE was able to provide an optimal design solution by enlisting the best labor force and working with local government and community agencies. Early bid packages for site, sewer, and foundation were issued within two-three months of project award. In the end, SSOE helped Hershey meet its ultimate goal, under budget and on schedule. What resulted was a state-of-the-art facility four times larger than its initial size meeting strict FDA standards.

May 31, 2018/in Automotive Architecture, Engineering International, Mexico /by david

Coordinating standards set by General Motors’ Global Facilities Group with the local design and construction standards of the actual plant in Silao, Mexico was a challenge that could have proved costly for General Motors. Without careful communication and teamwork, extensive redesign efforts could have been required to comply to all codes. SSOE’s understanding of General Motors’ Global Facilities Standards, as well as the local design and construction methods, provided a smooth incorporation of design into construction.

As a result of this close collaboration and understanding, this plant expansion project for a new, eight-speed transmission production line progressed on time and within budget through all three phases, while also meeting all client objectives. Serving as a liaison, communicating with both the Global Facilities Group and local plant officials, SSOE closely monitored the budget and schedule and quickly addressed concerns or nonconforming design elements. A 3D model was utilized throughout the program for integrated project delivery and interactive communication between teams. Representatives from SSOE’s León office attended construction meetings, facilitating the resolution of issues between design and construction.

In addition to project coordination and management, SSOE also provided the program’s Phase I bridging documents and bidding support. For Phase II of the project, SSOE partnered with a construction firm for a design / build delivery, further expediting the schedule. Phase II drawings were provided by SSOE for the transmission plant addition, office and cafeteria expansion, GSC warehouse building, and central utility complex building.

Due to the success of the first facility expansion, SSOE was requested by General Motors to design the project’s Phase III – a design / bid / build, five-bay addition incorporating as-built conditions into the 3D model. SSOE also provided construction administration services.

SSOE’s approach expedited decision making and helped Goodyear streamline a design process that would typically extend throughout the entire construction phase.

Saved the client $26,000 through cost effective practices such as using aluminum conductors instead of copper conductors and reducing the quantity of clean agent tanks.

Fast-track conversion of abandoned brownfield factory into full-fledged food manufacturing facility. Modified original site layout saving $500,000.

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SSOE’s approach expedited decision making and helped Goodyear streamline a design process that would typically extend throughout the entire construction phase.

Saved the client $26,000 through cost effective practices such as using aluminum conductors instead of copper conductors and reducing the quantity of clean agent tanks.

Fast-track conversion of abandoned brownfield factory into full-fledged food manufacturing facility. Modified original site layout saving $500,000.

Contact Us

Our Services

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