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Welch's Lab Infrastructure Design & Headquarters Relocation

  • Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Alarm, & Fire Protection Engineering
  • Waltham, MA
50,000 sq. ft.headquarters and laboratory facility designed
3 specialized lab systems integrated, including RO water, acid waste neutralization, and energy recovery HVAC
5 temperature-controlled environmentssupported for product testing and stability analysis
LEED certifiedfacility supporting energy efficiency and sustainability goals

ABOUT THE PROJECT

We worked with Welch’s to relocate and modernize its corporate headquarters and research operations. The project combined high-end office space with laboratory environments designed to support product testing, regulatory compliance, and research and development. A key priority was ensuring that critical lab systems were reliable and resilient, as downtime could directly impact FDA testing timelines and product development.

OUR SOLUTION

Our engineering services supported both office and laboratory environments, with a focus on lab functionality and system reliability. We:

  • Designed specialized laboratory plumbing systems, including acid waste and pH neutralization systems to treat lab effluent prior to discharge.
  • Engineered Reverse Osmosis (RO) water systems, non-potable water distribution, trench drains, compressed air, and vacuum systems to support wet lab operations.
  • Designed a 100% outdoor air HVAC system with energy recovery to serve lab spaces, meeting required ventilation rates and energy code requirements.
  • Supported climate-sensitive testing environments, including tightly controlled temperature rooms used for shelf-life and product stability testing.
  • Coordinated dense electrical infrastructure to support lab equipment loads, including power distribution strategies appropriate for wet lab environments.
  • Designed fire protection systems for laboratory and office areas, including dry sprinkler configurations appropriate for sensitive spaces.
  • Provided MEP engineering for office areas with higher-end finishes, conference spaces, and employee amenities, ensuring consistency across the workplace.

THE IMPACT

The completed headquarters provides Welch’s with an environment designed specifically to support research timelines and product testing, while also supporting the company’s long-term operational goals.

ABOUT WELCH’S

Welch’s is a leading producer of juice and fruit snacks, supported by in-house research and development focused on product quality and safety.