It’s the season of “Wish Lists” and “Gift Guides.” Every website and content creator is putting together the must-haves and gift guides for the holiday season. Children are busy sending theirs to the North Pole. We at SDG have our own to add to the mix and this list will bring a whole lot more value to your company than the latest gadgets.
When it comes to selecting a site for new capital investments, a few factors are “must haves,” whereas others are important but not necessarily essential—the “like to haves.”
The long-term impacts of site selection decisions show up in costs, quality, and competitiveness. Each project is unique with a multitude of site selection criteria including the type of sector, location of suppliers and customers as well as workforce availability.
All projects are different, but they tend to share key requirements that affect the site location decision:
- Available Site or Building
- Logistics
- Utilities
- Workforce Availability
- The Financial Case
- The “Feeling”
Over the next few weeks, we will be providing key insights into the factors that we cannot afford to have Santa overlook on our Site Selection Wish Lists. These will definitely serve you better than Ralphie’s Red Rider BB Gun or Mr. Shirley wrapped up in a big red bow in Clark’s living room.
Corporate site locations are among the most important decisions a company can make. They have long-lasting impact on costs, quality, and competitiveness. Each project is unique with a multitude of criteria, but they tend to share key requirements that affect the site location decisions.
The first site selection requirement is a site or building.
It seems obvious, but a suitable property (or building) that meets the project criteria is a community’s ticket to entry. An important role we play with clients is not only naming these requirements but forming consensus among the team and prioritizing them appropriately.
Physical requirements typically include:
• Site/building size
• Site/building configuration
• Site topography
• Utility service, electricity, gas, water and sewer, internet, and telecom
• Acceptable geotechnical, environmental, and archeological conditions
• Appropriate zoning
• Suitable surroundings
• Suitable road access and rail service, if required
Assuming a new facility is to be constructed, a location is typically described as “greenfield.” “Brownfield” sites, or sites that have been previously used, are also considered for new facility locations, as are existing buildings that can easily be converted to meet the needs of the project.
Strategic Development Group
Our experienced team is singularly focused on finding your project the best site for long-term success. We take a holistic approach and have the expertise to negotiate and navigate the intricacies of your unique company and needs.
Founded in 1999, SDG is a highly specialized site selection consulting firm. We focus on identifying optimum locations promptly, maximizing the value of incentives, and minimizing risk for corporations from across the globe. SDG has managed projects with capital investment from $15 million to over $1 billion for companies in a wide range of industries including automotive, chemical, steel, and life science.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this article or discuss how we can help you achieve your company or community’s goals for long-term success. Contact us!
