Bourbon is an $8.6 billion industry in Kentucky alone, and total production has increased by more than 115%. Those are exciting numbers given the impact new and expanded distilleries can have on boosting local economies and repurposing neglected facilities.
But those numbers also mean unprecedented demand, with distilleries having difficulty growing fast enough to meet market needs. This puts added pressure on construction projects to meet project schedules as well as maintain the quality of the product, all to support ongoing operations.
There are five difference-makers to support brand integrity during the bourbon industry’s accelerated growth.
1. Minimize production disruptions
Maintaining operations during construction requires advanced and detailed coordination. To help minimize interruptions, focus on proactive communication. Schedule regular meetings with appropriate team members to collaboratively work through potential issues that could impact distillery operations. Little adjustments can go a long way, such as scheduling a trailer of lumber to be delivered during a tight 30-minute window so that it doesn’t get in the way of incoming corn or grain deliveries.
Point-of-attack decision-making is crucial, too. This means having a dedicated construction leader onsite who is fully empowered to make decisions in real time to minimize any disruptions and maintain operations.
2. Think creatively to optimize construction schedules
On top of maintaining operations, the goal is to get new production up and running as quickly as possible. That’s where flow scheduling can come into play. This approach breaks down construction activities into increments to achieve consistent output in a safer environment, often with less manpower.
Across several industries, including health care and higher education, clients have been able to move into their finished buildings weeks ahead of the promised delivery date—easing their transition to functioning in a new space.
3. Support quality control
This is all about upholding the distiller’s reputation as if it were the contractor’s own.
For example, maintain site cleanliness so dust or debris doesn’t contaminate the product—even if it means running negative air machines to keep workspace separated from the active facility.
Another critical strategy is to perform regular quality control inspections to ensure construction is adhering to all plans and specifications. Doing so lowers the risk of any future construction-related activity that could impact ricking, fermenting or any other production process.
4. Consider a collaborative construction method
It’s extremely important to maintain accurate costs from the beginning of distillery projects.
One of the primary benefits of the construction management at risk delivery method is bringing in the general contractor earlier in the process. This method allows more collaboration with the owner and architect on phasing and getting documents to a point where they can be sent to bid in the subcontractor market. It often saves money in the long run by preventing changes on the project, allowing the team to execute the work in the most efficient manner.
5. Hire the right team
It’s true in any industry, and bourbon is no different: It pays to work with a team with shared values and with the expertise to alleviate the project owner’s risks and concerns.
Most importantly, work with a group that cares about each other and the safety of every person onsite, and that is committed to everyone returning home to their families every day. That’s truly building with integrity.
