Adjuvants Unlimited design/build state-of-the-art production facility

When Adjuvants Unlimited (AU), an agrochemical formulation company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, selected GEM Inc. as its design/build firm, the privately-held company found a partner it could count on to construct its new state-of-the-art production facility. AU needed to increase capacity and get its product to market faster to meet growing customer demand. 

AU wasn’t simply looking to construct an additional building. It needed a partner capable of examining its operation in detail, and then propose options on how it could increase blending capacity while maintaining current operations, install new state-of-the-art equipment and controls, and improve safety and traffic flow. 

What made GEM Inc. stand out from the competition? 

It All Starts with a Conversation 

GEM used its Guided Process Solutions (GPS) system to collaborate with AU on the extensive “deep dive” needed to understand its operations, process flows, storage requirements and project goals. By coordinating all design and construction activities in-house, GEM was able to develop a cost-effective, creative solution that shaved months off the construction schedule. A Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) gave AU confidence it would not have to deal with costly change orders throughout the project. 

Project work included: 

• Construction of building addition and renovation of offices
• Additional storage and blending tanks
• Revised truck traffic layout, entrance and flow
• Installation of new truck scale
• Explosion-proof rooms
• Updated fire pumps
• New hot boxes to keep materials at certain temperatures
• Electrical and process control upgrades
• An HPS pigging system for cleaning pipes

Modular Build Saves Time and Money 

One of the many ways GEM stands out from the competition is that it has continuous access to many disciplines that can fabricate major parts of the project. GEM used its in-house Virtual Design and Construction professionals to ensure what was fabricated is accurate, safe and would work in Tulsa. 

This allowed GEM to coordinate the work more efficiently instead of running into interferences that can happen during construction. Up to 600 individual designs for the project were created in-house and built by GEM’s on-site fabrication shop. Fourteen skids of prefabricated piping racks (including piping, insulation, control valves and electrical) were shipped from Ohio to Tulsa. 

The work was successful in meeting AU’s goals for expanded blending capacity, a safer work environment, state-of-the art-equipment and controls, improved accessibility for trucks entering and leaving the facility, and most importantly, meeting customer demand.

From concept design through construction completion, GEM has excelled at meeting our project budgets and critical construction schedule. This translates to Adjuvants Unlimited being able to bring our products to market faster, serving our customers’ most immediate needs.

Matt McAdams, Chief Operating Officer
Adjuvants Unlimited