Industrial - Manufacturing
International Big Bore Diesels Engine Assembly Plant
Huntsville, Alabama
In 2007, International Diesel selected Doster Construction Company to serve as general contractor in the construction of their new $15.6 million state-of-the-art engine assembly plant for their top-of-the-line six and eight cylinder engines. The project consisted of construction of a new 300,000 square foot facility of which 10,000 square feet serves as a main office area. The project also included a new parking lot and a large concrete paving area around the facility for truck parking and deliveries.
The tilt-wall project had an aggressive schedule which required substantial completion in six months. The purpose for the accelerated schedule was to allow the International Truck and Engine Corporation to occupy a majority of the building for equipment installation. The manufacturing equipment produced in Germany had to be accepted upon arrival which meant there was no margin for schedule delay. With such an aggressive schedule and a two month owner delay, Doster worked nights and weekends to meet production expectations.
The International Big Bore Diesel Assembly Plant was constructed on continuous footings around the outer perimeter and spread footings support interior columns. The walls are eight-inch, tilt-wall panels weighing approximately 70,000 pounds each. Windows, doors and hardware include ballistic rated doors and transaction windows at loss prevention and shipping/receiving offices. There are twelve loading docks fully equipped with dock levelers, locks and shelters for deliveries. Provisions were made for eighteen additional dock openings if needed in the future.
Exterior work includes landscape irrigation, sod, seeding, planting of trees, construction of two guard houses, a turnstile roof structure, a sunshade at the front entrance and striping of the new employee parking lot.
The International Diesel Assembly Plant enhanced the engine manufacturing industry and serves as a foundation for International’s Alabama-based engine production.
This project was the recipient of an Associated Builders and Contractors Alabama Chapter Excellence in Construction Award in 2007 and the South Central Construction magazine's Award of Excellence in Manufacturing in 2008.
