Site Selection - July 2021

< Previous48 JULY 2021 S I T E S EL E C T I O N lineup, our collaboration has changed the landscape of smartphone cover design and durability. Ceramic Shield is a prime example of the technologies that are possible when deep innovation meets the power of American manufacturing. We’re so proud to work alongside Corning, whose -year-old legacy is a testament to the ingenuity of the U.S. workforce.” e glass-ceramic developed by the two companies gets its strength from nano-ceramic crystals, produced via high-temperature crystallization in Corning’s plant in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, the facility where every generation of iPhone glass has been made. e crystals are small enough to keep the material transparent, a crucial property to so many iPhone features. “ e deep investment they’ve provided for new manufacturing technology in our Harrodsburg, Kentucky, facility is not only fueling life- changing innovation, it’s also helping us sustain vital communities where we live and work — a fundamental objective at both of our companies,” said Wendell P. Weeks, Corning’s chairman and CEO, in May. “Together, we’re developing a world-class workforce, engaging them in new technologies, and creating opportunities for learning and training.” ose opportunities include funding through the Corning Incorporated Foundation that helped build a new manufacturing center at Bluegrass Community Technical College, to support the development of trade positions at the Harrodsburg plant and within the community. e plant also has a state-licensed apprenticeship program. Also in May, Apple announced a $ million award from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund for optical technology manufacturer II-VI, following an initial $ million award from the fund in . e expansion of the company’s long-standing relationship with II-VI will create additional capacity and accelerate delivery of future components for iPhone, with  jobs in Sherman, Texas; Warren, New Jersey; Easton, Pennsylvania; and Champaign, Illinois. e company manufactures vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) that help power Face ID, Memoji, Animoji, and Portrait mode selﬁ es. Apple also works with II-VI to manufacture lasers used in the LiDAR Scanner — technology that helps deliver faster, more realistic augmented reality experiences and improves autofocus in low- light scenes in photos and videos. Microsoft, Mars and Beyond While Apple’s manufacturing focus keeps things clear and sharp on its own products, other tech giants are focused on supporting manufacturers as they make the generational shift to a digital environment. Take Microsoft, which in May announced an agreement to accelerate Mars’ digital transformation by leveraging the Microsoft Azure platform to optimize its operational speed and intelligent manufacturing supply chains across the company’s global portfolio of confectionery, petcare, pet services and food businesses. According to a Microsoft release, Mars already has worked with digital manufacturing and operations experts from Accenture’s Industry X group to deploy the Azure Digital Twins IoT platform in its manufacturing facilities to optimize production. Digital twins allow businesses to easily model and create digital representations of connected physical environments to deliver products that meet fast-changing market needs while saving operational costs. Using edge computing, customers can run AI, machine learning and business processes directly across plants, warehouses, machines and appliances for quicker actions without the need for a constant internet connection. “In the future,” says Microsoft, “Mars plans to use digital technologies to introduce even more intelligence into the end-to-end supply-chain processes, including identifying the optimal way to create products through digital simulations that take into account climate and other situational considerations, as well as creating greater transparency and visibility into its supply chain from the point of origin all the way to the consumer.” In other words, advancing manufacturing all the way to you. Together, we’re developing a world-class workforce, engaging them in new technologies, and creating opportunities for learning and training.” — Wendell P. Weeks, Corning Chairman and CEO, on Apple’s continuing Advanced Manufacturing Fund investments in Corning’s Kentucky plant enough to keep the material transparent, a crucial property to so many iPhone features. Together, we’re developing a world-class workforce, 50 JULY 2021 S I T E S EL E C T I O N Microsoft is partnering with companies such as Rockwell Automation, Zeiss and Honeywell to do more of the same, bringing cloud and IoT capabilities to Zeiss’s internal optoelectronics production for medical technologies and external services for such sectors as semiconductors. In the case of Honeywell, the two companies are integrating systems to first serve the automation of maintenance for building owners and operators, which can save from 10% to 20% on HVAC costs alone. Microsoft is an original member of the Open Manufacturing Platform (OMP), first established in 2019 under the umbrella of the Joint Development Foundation (part of the Linux Foundation) to help manufacturers overcome such challenges as the siloing of data. The OMP brings together experts across the manufacturing sector — including discrete and process manufacturing, transportation and consumer goods and industrial equipment. “The OMP helps manufacturing companies unlock the potential of their data, implement industrial solutions faster and more securely, and benefit from industrial contributions while preserving their intellectual property and competitive advantages, mitigating operational risks and reducing financial investments,” said Jürgen Maidl, senior vice president of Production Network and Supply Chain Management at the BMW Group, one of the original OMP members, Construction for Apple’s $1 billion Austin campus (below) is under way, with employees expected to start moving into the space in 2022. The company is also adding thousands of employees in San Diego (above), Seattle (right) and the Research Triangle. Renderings by Studio8 Architects and WP Visions courtesy of Apple52 JULY 2021 S I T E S EL E C T I O N as the OMP welcomed Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bosch Group and ZF Friedrichshafen to its steering committee last year. New Survey, New Solution, New Acronym? The time for such transformations is now, says the 2021 State of Manufacturing Report from digital manufacturing ecosystem company Fictiv. A survey of 230 senior decision-makers in the field found that 68% say improving supply chain resilience and agility is the No. 1 business priority for 2021. Among other findings: • Among those industries with plans to onshore in 2021, 80% of medical device companies report it is a key strategy, followed by 67% in robotics, 61% in automotive, and 45% in consumer electronics. • Fifty-five percent report that workforce training is the number one barrier to increasing their U.S.-based manufacturing footprint, followed by cost (43%), insufficient capacity (36%), and lack of access to needed technologies compared to global suppliers (31%). • Limited budgets are a key barrier to hiring new innovation talent for 45% of respondents. • Forty-four percent report difficulty hiring manufacturing talent with the necessary digital expertise. • More than half of all respondents (54%) aim to increase the speed of product innovation, while 40% state they are prioritizing investments in sustainable manufacturing processes to reduce their carbon footprint. “Modern manufacturers are deploying advanced technologies that are transforming what we make and how we make it,” Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), said in the report. “This rapid digitization and the workplace disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic have created new and unprecedented risks for our members.” In April, Illinois took a step to address the manufacturing talent puzzle as Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), joined by Heartland Community College and EV maker Rivian, announced an investment to build two The front cover of the iPhone 12 lineup features Ceramic Shield, a glass-ceramic which gets its strength from nano-ceramic crystals manufactured by Corning in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Apple S I T E S E L E C T I O N JULY 2021 53 advanced manufacturing training academies to expand training for high-demand manufacturing jobs in Illinois. A $15 million capital investment through the Governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan will establish two downstate manufacturing training academies at Heartland Community College in Normal (where Rivian is ramping up operations), and Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) in Metro East (metro St. Louis). State funds will be met with $4.95 million in matching commitments for capital projects, as well as additional support from employers and regional partners. At Heartland, a $7.5 million grant will enable the development of the new Electric Vehicle- Energy Storage Manufacturing Training Academy (EVES). At SWIC, a second $7.5 million grant will create a new manufacturing education hub in Belleville — expanding upon the school’s successful manufacturing training facilities. The Advanced Manufacturing Center will break ground in 2021 and will welcome students into its new facilities by fall 2022. The project will be completed in two phases: with the first creating a new precision machining pathway; and the second aiming to expand career training for roles in industrial electricity and welding manufacturing. The program will also address equity gaps in the region. Such solutions are very much needed if the United States is to compete in advanced industries against the likes of China. But some think a national solution could help too. In June, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released a new report calling for establishment of a new, free-standing federal agency to carry out a national advanced industry and technology strategy that is explicitly focused on the commercial competitiveness of select sectors that are most critical to the economy. It would be called the National Advanced Industry and Technology Industry Agency (NAITA). The proposal calls for a budget and agency size equivalent to those of the National Science Foundation, which for FY 2021 had a budget of $8.5 billion. It calls for the agency to house five divisions: data analysis; advanced industries; emerging technologies; innovation systems; and cross-agency and cross-government coordination. “More than 50 other countries have national technology agencies that support specific industries and technologies,” stated ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson. 54 JULY 2021 S I T E S EL E C T I O N INVES TMENT PROFILE: ABILENE, TEXAS When Great Lakes Cheese was ready to expand its operations in early , the family-owned cheese maker expected to grow into one of its eight existing facilities. However, it was not long after beginning the process to expand its Tennessee site before a series of hiccups led the company to reevaluate its approach. Instead of expanding, Great Lakes Cheese decided to change gears entirely and seek a new green eld site. is about- face led the company on the quest for a location near the rapidly growing Dallas market. Matt Wilkinson, vice president of technology and business development for Great Lakes Cheese, said the company evaluated di erent sites within a two-hour radius of the west side of Dallas before determining its top two locations — Wichita Falls or Abilene. Ultimately, he said the decision came down to Abilene’s strategic location, the a ordability of inbound and outbound freight, its large and growing workforce, and the area’s overall sense of community and partnership. Great Lakes Cheese isn’t the only company to realize Abilene’s ideal location for food and beverage producers. For many years, global brands including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have had operations in the city, as well as a plethora of smaller producers like Pappy Slokum Brewing Co., Profs Ice Cream, Moose Mountain Goods, Belt Buckle Distillery and Sockdolager Brewing and Absolutely World Class. Additionally, companies like Pactiv Corp., maker of food packaging, and pet product maker Primal Pets have recently grown in the city. For Chike and Next Level Nutraceuticals cofounders Remy Singh and Jason Hodges, the ease of access via I- made locating their third facility in the city an easy choice. Hodges explained the company had reached capacity prior to moving into its new headquarters and manufacturing facility. After considering another metro location, the entrepreneurs realized they already had an ideal homebase in Abilene. “We sit right o the Interstate, so we just have to load up the truck,” said Hodges. “We sit almost in the center of the country, whether we want the East Coast or West Coast — we’re centrally located. It works for us and its more economical because of that.” Abilene’s central location in Northwest Texas o ers proximity to nearby markets in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area and the greater Southwest region. With Interstate , U.S. highways , and , and rail services by Union Paci c and Southern Switching Company, transporting products to both coasts, the Midwest, the Northeast and Mexico, is as easy as loading up the goods. Another critical bene t of locating in Abilene is the availability of engaged and eager employees. Employers in Abilene are also able to draw from a local population of more than , people and a -county labor shed representing more than ,. For Great Lakes Cheese, this available workforce was the cherry on top. Great Lakes Cheese will create new jobs with its new ,-sq.- ft. packaging and distribution facility at Access Abilene’s Appeal Lands City’s Largest Deal by SAVANNAH KING savannah.king@siteselection.com Food producers ﬁ nd fertile ground in Northwest Texas. Great Lakes Cheese is opening its ﬁ rst Texas facility in Abilene. Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Cheese Abilene’s Appeal Lands City’s Largest Deal Food producers ﬁ nd fertile ground in Northwest Texas. S I T E S E L E C T I O N JULY 2021 55 This Investment Profile was prepared under the auspices of the Development Corporation of Abilene. For more information, please send an email to dcoa@abilenedcoa.com or call 325.676.6390. Business Park. e facility represents a capital investment of nearly $ million. “We are proud to welcome Great Lakes Cheese to the state of Texas, and we are excited for the impact that this company will have on Abilene’s economic success,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Great Lakes Cheese joins the ranks of thousands of companies that have chosen to invest in the Lone Star State. Our model of low taxes, reasonable regulations, and incredible workforce continue to attract investments that keep Texas the best state for business.” In addition to a $ . million incentive package from the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA), the company will also receive funding through the Veteran’s Fund and a Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant from the governor’s o ce. TEF awards are deal-closing grants given to companies considering locating to Texas from competing out-of-state sites. is announcement is the largest project the DCOA has recruited to the area in its -year history. Wilkinson pointed to Texas’s team-based approach to working with business as one of the deciding factors leading to the new facility. “ ey were really great to work with,” said Wilkinson. “ e development agencies were supportive; all of the organizational groups in Texas are very high quality. e DCOA helped us with the identi cation of the physical site — and they had several available — and they rapidly found answers to all of our questions from utilities to roads, etc. Even at the state level, folks are very responsive. Adriana Cruz at the governor’s o ce and the local senators and representatives were very accessible and smoothed the path for us. Texas is a very easy state to work with.” Foreign Footprint Expands Again in Texas AbiMar Foods Inc. has operated in Abilene since it was established in . e maker of popular cookie and cracker brands including Lil’ Dutch Maid, Tru-Blu and Dutch Harvest was acquired by Colombia-based Grupo Empresarial Nutresa in . In AbiMar expanded with a new $ million production line. In , the company expanded again with a new warehousing facility purchased from the DCOA. Today, AbiMar is one of the city’s largest employers, with - people from a wide variety of backgrounds. “ is location is strategic for us because of the market that we serve,” explained AbiMar CEO Jaime Correa. “ e support of the city and the DCOA has been a constant since the very beginning in many ways. Of course, there’s the nancial aspect of that support. Grupo Nutresa is growing and has a strategy to grow in the States even more than in Colombia. We are constantly looking into di erent possibilities across the country, but I can tell you that we haven’t found any other city or state that has provided what we have here in Abilene.” Dallas Fort Worth Lubbock Amarillo ABILENE Houston San Antonio Austin NM OK LA Rendering courtesy of Great Lakes Cheese Business Park. e facility represents a capital investment of nearly $ million. Great Lakes Cheese to the state of Texas, and we are excited for the impact that this company will have on Abilene’s economic success,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Great Lakes Cheese joins the ranks of thousands of companies that have chosen to invest in the Lone Star State. Our model of low taxes, reasonable regulations, and incredible workforce continue to attract investments that keep Texas the best state for business.” will have on Abilene’s economic Abbott. “Great Lakes Cheese joins the ranks of thousands 56 JULY 2021 S I T E S EL E C T I O N This is not your father’s veggie burger — if he was ever near one. Today’s meat-alternative burgers and other foods are based on plant- or cell-based alternative proteins, and the global market for such products is exploding. According to analysis from Meticulous Research released in March, the alternative proteins market is forecast to grow by . % from to reach $ billion by . Geographically, North Americaaccounted for the largest share of the overall alternative protein F OOD & BEVERA GE by MARK AREND mark.arend@siteselection.com Alternative Protein Facilities Facilities Gain Gain TractionTraction Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain TractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTraction Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain TractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTraction Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Protein Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Facilities Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain TractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTractionTraction S I T E S E L E C T I O N JULY 2021 57 market in 2020, according to the report, “Alternative Protein Market by Stage/ Type — Global Forecast to 2027.” This region’s large share is mainly attributed to its well-established food and feed industry, rising concerns over animal products and protein, increasing vegan population, growing preference to meat alternatives, and technological advancements in the food industry. Followed by North America, the European region has commanded the second-largest share in the global alternative protein market. Demand for alternative proteins in Europe is majorly driven by growing innovation, increasing number of people switching to veganism, the presence of a large number of alternative protein manufacturers, and concerns regarding animal welfare. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This has profound implications for those managing the real estate requirements of companies in this booming food and beverage industry niche. “Alternative protein facilities will become their own category of corporate real estate,” says Jason Robertson, vice president, food & beverage, in the Kansas City office of CRB — a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food industry. “Corporate real estate in this context will be both about re-purposing and building new facilities. Right now, we are seeing pilot operations as clients are just now starting to scale their technology. We are working on several of those right now, and we will then look at their additional scale-up needs.” These plants, says Robertson, are much like biotech company startup facilities, preparing for commercialization and competing in the marketplace. Among the challenges in re-purposing a facility or building a new one is whether it is to be regulated by the FDA or USDA — or both, as is more often the case. Much of the startup activity, as in biotech, can be found in proximity to West Coast venture capital, says Robertson. But larger production The Impossible Burger is one of several plant- based meat products from Impossible Foods. Photo courtesy of Impossible FoodsNext >