October 22, 2024 (Lincolnshire, IL) -- PREMIER Design + Build Group celebrates the grand opening of a 188,000-square-foot laboratory renovation project for industry leader Carlson Nutritional Supplements, a family-owned and female-led manufacturer of vitamins, minerals, omega-3s, kids' products and other nutritional supplements. The PREMIER team turned a nearly 50-year-old warehouse and two-story building in Lincolnshire, Ill., into a state-of-the-art laboratory and production facility.
The renovation included the warehouse where vitamin production, packaging, storage, and shipping occur, as well as an attached building with a research and development laboratory and office space. Many upgrades were required to turn the warehouse and office building, originally constructed in 1980, into a modern facility.
Carlson and PREMIER’s strong partnership prioritized collaboration and trust throughout the construction process.
“Carlson had outgrown its previous location and needed a new, modern facility to facilitate future growth,” says Joe Ahrens, Market Lead of PREMIER’s Midwest Region. “Our team was committed to helping Carlson execute its vision for a new headquarters that would serve the company’s needs for years to come.”
Essential Elements for Production
Pure water is a key ingredient for nutritional supplement production. To ensure water quality, PREMIER installed a reverse osmosis system in both buildings, which purifies water using a series of filters.
The reverse osmosis system processes water used in the misting and humidification system installed in the laboratory, ensuring moisture in the air is 100% pure as well. Misting and humidification systems keep all ingredients and products at the correct humidity levels–an important factor for supplements like fish oil, which include ingredients that need to be kept in a highly controlled environment.
The project also included installing new HVAC and racking systems in the warehouse, as well as adding a clean-up area, processing room, assembly and packaging area, and storage room. In the two-story building, PREMIER added office spaces, a research and development lab, a labeling area, a dock door, and two roll-up doors with a connecting vestibule.
Renovations Require Problem Solvers
Renovating older buildings requires a high level of adaptability as obstacles commonly arise during construction that were hidden during the planning process. During this project, complications emerged with the fire suppression system and roof, along with the need to find an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)--compliant elevator to fit the machine room design. PREMIER was able to pivot quickly to remediate complications and keep the project on schedule.