Building a Facility

Creating a New
Manufacturing Facility

Starting from a blank site — or a blank building — and building the manufacturing infrastructure your product requires. We've done it before. We'll do it with you.

You've Outgrown Co-Packing

Volume is there, but the co-packer relationship has hit its ceiling — on price, on capacity, on control. You're leaving margin on the table and you know it.

You Need to Own the Asset

Your formula is your product. Your production process is your competitive advantage. Building your own facility means owning that asset — permanently.

You're Ready for the Investment

Building a facility is a significant capital commitment. But for brands at the right volume and margin, it's the single best investment they can make.

The Process

From Site Selection to First Production Run

Six phases. Every project is different — but the methodology is proven. Here's how a greenfield facility build works with CPGMFG.org.

01

Feasibility & Site Analysis

4–8 weeks

Before any plans are drawn, we assess whether building is the right move — and where to do it.

Financial modeling — build vs. co-packing cost analysis
Volume and capacity requirements assessment
Site selection criteria development
Geographic market analysis
Zoning and use permit research
Utility availability — water, power, gas, sewer
Labor market analysis
Initial budget development
02

Facility Design & Engineering

8–16 weeks

Designing the facility around your product, your process, and your regulatory requirements — not the other way around.

Process flow mapping and production layout
Equipment footprint planning
Cleanroom and allergen zone design
HVAC, refrigeration, and utility design
Sanitation and drain planning
Storage and warehouse layout
Office, lab, and support space
FSMA and regulatory compliance baked in from day one
03

Equipment Specification & Sourcing

6–12 weeks (parallel)

The right equipment at the right price — through the PMMI Pack Expo network and our own relationships with equipment vendors.

Equipment specification development
New vs. used vs. refurbished analysis
PMMI vendor network sourcing
RFQ and competitive bidding process
Factory acceptance testing (FAT) support
Delivery scheduling and logistics
Installation planning and sequencing
Automation and controls integration
04

Regulatory & Certification Planning

6–10 weeks (parallel)

The regulatory pathway is determined at design time — not after the walls go up.

FDA registration and facility licensing
USDA inspection planning (where applicable)
HACCP plan development
SQF, BRC, or GFSI certification roadmap
GMP program development
Organic, Kosher, Halal certification guidance
State and local health department coordination
Food safety culture and training program design
05

Build-Out & Construction Management

3–12 months

From groundbreaking to certificate of occupancy — coordinating every trade, every inspection, every milestone.

General contractor selection and oversight
Permitting and inspection management
Foundation, structure, and envelope
Utility installation — electrical, plumbing, gas
HVAC and refrigeration installation
Flooring, walls, and ceiling systems (food-grade)
Equipment installation and alignment
MEP commissioning and startup testing
06

Commissioning & First Production Run

2–6 weeks

The build is done. Now we make sure the facility actually works — and that your team knows how to run it.

Equipment commissioning and calibration
Production trial runs and process validation
QA system activation and testing
Staff training — production, sanitation, safety
First production run support
Regulatory pre-audit inspection
Documentation and record-keeping systems
Ongoing operational support handoff

Equipment Access

The PMMI Pack Expo Advantage

Through our CPA partnership, CPGMFG.org clients get direct access to the world's largest packaging and processing equipment network.

2,500+
Equipment Exhibitors
50,000+
Annual Attendees
100+
Countries Represented
30+
Years Running

New Equipment

Direct relationships with the world's leading packaging and processing equipment manufacturers — at show pricing.

Used & Refurbished

Certified used equipment sourced through our broker network. Significant savings without compromising capability.

Systems Integration

Full-line integration, automation, controls, and validation — through vetted integrators with food & beverage experience.

Compliance

Regulatory Compliance Built In

The single biggest mistake brands make when building their own facility is treating regulatory compliance as a final step. It isn't. Compliance begins at the design phase — and if you get it wrong, you're retrofitting expensive fixes into a facility that's already built.

CPGMFG.org embeds compliance into every phase of the design and build-out process. We've navigated every certification pathway for every category — and we know what each regulatory body actually wants to see.

FDA Registration
Food facility registration, FSMA compliance, Preventive Controls rule implementation.
USDA Inspection
FSIS inspection programs for meat, poultry, and egg products. Plant design requirements.
SQF / BRC / GFSI
Third-party food safety certification — required by most major retailers.
HACCP Program
Complete Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point program development and documentation.
GMP Programs
Good Manufacturing Practice programs, SOPs, and employee training systems.
Organic / Kosher / Halal
Specialty certification guidance and facility design requirements for each program.

The Foundation

Three Pillars of Facility Development

Every successful facility build rests on three interconnected pillars. Get any one wrong and the whole project suffers.

Design

Your facility layout dictates your operational efficiency for decades. Process flow, allergen zoning, utility routing, and expansion space — every decision made at the design stage compounds over time.

+ Production flow optimization
+ Allergen and cleanroom zoning
+ Future expansion pathways

Construction

Food-grade construction is not standard commercial construction. Flooring systems, wall panels, drain slopes, HVAC balance, and utility capacity all require specialized knowledge and experienced trades.

+ Food-grade materials and finishes
+ GC selection and oversight
+ Milestone tracking and QA

Equipping

Equipment selection is where operational economics are won or lost. The right line configuration, automation level, and integration approach determine your cost-per-unit for years to come.

+ Line configuration and speed
+ Automation vs. manual analysis
+ PMMI network pricing access

During Construction

Keep Production Moving

Your facility build takes months. Your customers can't wait that long. The CMA network has you covered.

Co-Packing

Maintain Production During Construction

Contract manufacturers keep your product flowing while your new facility comes online.

Explore Co-Packing

Ready to Start Planning?

Tell us where you are — existing co-packer arrangement, current volume, category — and we'll tell you whether building makes sense and what it would take.

Talk to Our Facility Team