SOPREMA’s Production Line
Project Profile
SOPREMA is an international manufacturer of innovative roofing and waterproofing products. Their production plant in Chilliwack, BC, is one of twelve manufacturing facilities in Canada. Since beginning operations in Canada in 1978, SOPREMA has manufactured and installed millions of square meters of membranes.
SOPREMA came to Helical Works looking to expand the capacity of their production line by 25%. The upgrade would require a high level of coordination and a multi-disciplinary approach to carry out four main tasks:
As with all facility upgrades of this nature, the challenge was to make sure that the new construction and equipment meshed well with the old, and that everything fit well into the new integrated system. As well, SOPREMA’s underlying request was that the work be done as efficiently as possible to minimize plant downtime.
Helical Works planned the scope of work and the dates around weekends for construction. Our project manager coordinated the internal engineering work and all the subcontractors. Our engineering and shop resources were able to fabricate screw conveyor extensions with non-standard parts.
Despite working within the confines of an operational plant and dealing with existing machinery, our millwrights were able to install the new equipment quickly and effectively.
The production line upgrade was completed while the plant remained online throughout the process, which satisfied SOPREMA’s requirements.
As well, the Chilliwack facility continues to experience the intended level of increased production capacity.