Project Overview 

A leading dairy producer set out to expand its production capacity with a highly specialized facility designed to support large-scale processing, warehousing and distribution. Ryan helped deliver a 435,000-square-foot cheese and whey protein processing plant in Kansas. 

Built on a remote greenfield site, the project required extensive coordination across site development, utilities, process systems and equipment installation. Ryan worked across disciplines to align infrastructure, building systems and production requirements, delivering a fully integrated facility designed to support complex operations at scale. The completed project positions the client for continued growth while demonstrating Ryan’s ability to execute technically demanding food and beverage environments. 

Unique Features 

  • Four production lines designed to support high-volume cheese and whey protein processing  
  • Capacity to process 8 million pounds of raw milk daily through six receiving bays  
  • Integrated process utilities, including ammonia refrigeration, compressed air and boiler/compressor systems  
  • -40°F freezer and warehousing environments designed to support food-safe storage and distribution  
  • Coordination of process and packaging equipment installation across a highly technical production environment  
  • On-site wastewater treatment and utility systems designed to support continuous plant operations  
  • Extensive off-site coordination, including roadway access and utility infrastructure (electrical, domestic water, wastewater and natural gas) to enable development of a remote site  
  • Development of approximately 85% of the 146-acre property to support both current operations and future expansion  

Outcomes 

  • Delivered a highly specialized production facility supporting large-scale dairy processing, warehousing and distribution  
  • Coordinated critical site, utility and infrastructure components required to bring a complex greenfield food processing facility online  
  • Supported a more than $600 million capital investment and creation of approximately 250 new jobs  
  • Enabled efficient, high-volume daily operations through integration of process systems, utilities and building infrastructure  
  • Demonstrated Ryan’s ability to execute complex infrastructure projects requiring alignment across disciplines, systems and stakeholders