American Heartland Packaging LLC expanded its operations into Missouri and needed a highly controlled environment for its new $800 million facility. Located in Wright City, Missouri, this state-of-the-art beef processing plant, known internally as Project Groot, required air and watertight solutions to meet the rigorous standards set by the USDA and pharmaceutical-grade cold storage operations. IWR helped make this vision a reality.

Selected through a competitive bid and post-award interview process, IWR joined the team as a specialty contractor to deliver a high-performing envelope system for the plant’s cold storage, freezer and production areas. The team’s scope even expanded significantly, from an initial $5 million contract to a $9.4 million effort, without compromising schedule or budget.

The installation spanned insulated metal panels tailored for thermal efficiency and environmental control. In addition, IWR completed glass and glazing work at the office and entry areas, integrated architectural siding throughout various parts of the facility, and coordinated precision detailing across panel transitions to meet hygiene requirements.

“We approached this project knowing the stakes were incredibly high,” Jeff Bange, IWR Project Executive, said. “Any lapse in installation or sealing could compromise food safety. Our team implemented specialized techniques, including vacuum-assisted hoisting, to ensure absolution precision at every step.”

IWR’s team worked across an active and evolving job site and navigated challenges through meticulous planning, clear communication with general contractor Gray Construction and self-performing union labor from local and traveling workforces. Also reflecting the team’s technical focus and coordination, over 34,000 manhours were completed without a single safety incident. Meanwhile, the field team maintained quality control through continuous inspections.

From the pharmaceutical and rendering buildings to the production floor’s cold zones, IWR’s contributions are instrumental in supporting a clean, energy-efficient and contamination-free environment.

As the plant moves towards full operation, it creates 1,300 new jobs and over $1 billion in economic impact for the region. For IWR, Project Groot is a timeless example of our adaptability, craftsmanship and collaborative execution.