In 2016, JNE was engaged by a leading glass manufacturer to aid in the design and installation of a flat glass coating line.  The state of the art, compartment style, Magnetron Sputtering Vapor Deposition (MSVD) coater is capable of accommodating glass sheets up to 235” x 130”, making it the largest of its kind in North America.

The flat glass coating line includes systems for loading, entry washing, inspection, vacuum pumping, chilled water cooling, deionization, reverse osmosis, protective films, trimming, maintenance and packaging.  This addition required a new 220,000 square foot building to be equipped with a covered truck loading area, substation and water system buildings, and an in-plant style office building.  In addition, JNE was tasked to consult on Balance of Plant (BOP) items bringing together civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering services as well as water system control design/programming, and 8 months of on-site construction management.  JNE’s efforts included consulting with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and the local railroad spur operator for permitting.

To meet the needs of the original proposed project schedule, JNE recommended the overall engineering package be split into two phases. Site work, building procurement and building services were addressed first to allow an earlier start to the site work and first phase of construction.  During 8-months of JNE on-site construction management, heavier than expected rainfall totals occurred during much of the concrete pouring efforts.  The JNE team suggested and implemented alternate concrete curing compounds to adapt to the shortened schedule, and expedite the installation process to provide for the timely arrival of the process equipment.

JNE always puts the scheduling needs of the client at the forefront of our work. This project is a prime example of our ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and our focus on finding solutions that keep the project on schedule.