Ken Bilodeau, P.E.
President
- DisciplineProcess Engineering
- Firm rolePartner
Works directly on process engineering projects while leading the U.S. firm.
Direct 514.757.0587About LAPORTE
Industrial plant engineering, built around the process.
Since 1999, LAPORTE has helped pharmaceutical, food and beverage, biotech, and industrial manufacturers plan, design, build, and start up production facilities across North America and Europe.
1999Year founded
21States where engineers hold PE licenses
6U.S. offices
100%Controlled by directors
The firm
Process-led engineering, coordinated across the plant.
LAPORTE began with process and mechanical engineering for pharmaceutical facilities. Food and beverage work followed in 2000, and automation and validation became formal disciplines in 2005.
Today, the firm supports projects from investment planning and concept design through detailed engineering, procurement, construction, startup, and qualification. Process, controls, electrical, HVAC, utilities, filling, packaging, and validation are developed against the same operating requirements.
That coordinated approach is especially useful when product flow, utilities, controls, equipment, and the building must perform as one production system.
Independent engineering judgment
LAPORTE does not accept rebates or commissions from builders, contractors, or other project participants. Equipment and construction recommendations are based on the client's technical and operating requirements.
Engineering disciplines
One team for systems that have to work together.
The team establishes the production basis first, then coordinates controls, power, building systems, equipment, and qualification around it.
Process Engineering
Mass balances, process flow diagrams, equipment requirements, P&IDs, CIP, and sterilization systems.
Controls & Automation
PLC, HMI, and SCADA work with industrial networks, historians, robotics, vision, and equipment integration.
Electrical & Power
Service entrances, low- and medium-voltage distribution, grounding, emergency power, motor control, and studies.
MEP & Utilities
HVAC, plumbing, clean gases, compressed air, steam, drainage, refrigeration, and process utility distribution.
Control Panel Design
Control, MCC, network, and distribution panel design with UL 508A and NFPA 70 or NEC requirements.
Arc-Flash & Safety
Arc-flash and coordination studies, hazardous-area classification, machine safety, and electrical safety work.
Selected history
25 years of work inside manufacturing plants.
LAPORTE grew from a Montreal process and mechanical practice into a multidisciplinary firm working across North America and Europe.
1999
Daniel Laporte founds the firm in Montreal with process and mechanical work for pharmaceutical plants.
2000
The first food and beverage project is completed at the Molson brewery in Montreal.
2005
Automation and validation are added to the firm's engineering disciplines.
2006
The first European project is completed in Auvergne, France, for Lallemand.
2010
LAPORTE Consultants Corp. is formed in the United States with an office in Philadelphia.
2019
The firm marks 20 years. Industrial refrigeration and industrial biotech teams join the group.
U.S. practice
Six U.S. offices. PE licenses in 21 states.
LAPORTE works from six U.S. offices, with engineers licensed as Professional Engineers in 21 states.
21
States where our engineers hold a PE license
Firm registration and project authorization requirements vary by state. Work is accepted where the applicable requirements are met.
West Chester, PA
Greater Philadelphia
Columbus, OH
Central Ohio
Chicago, IL
Midwest
Rochester, NY
Western New York
Durham, NC
Research Triangle
Denver, CO
Mountain West
U.S. leadership
Firm leaders who stay involved in project work.
LAPORTE's U.S. partners and principals continue to design, review, and guide projects in their disciplines while sharing responsibility for the firm.
Etienne Pedneault-Dartois
Food & Beverage Lead | Chicago Office Director
- DisciplineProcess Engineering
- Firm rolePartner
Leads food and beverage work and the Chicago office as a process engineer.
Nathan (Nate) Kocher, P.E.
EIC Director | West Chester Office Director
- DisciplineElectrical & Controls Engineering
- Firm rolePartner
Works directly on electrical and controls projects while directing the discipline and the West Chester office.
Direct 717.309.9774
Keith Morgart, P.E.
Electrical & Automation Engineer
- DisciplineElectrical & Automation
- Firm rolePartner
Designs power and control systems for industrial facilities while serving as a firm partner.
Direct 814.421.3163
Dan Rabinovitch
Columbus Office Director
- DisciplineFood & Beverage Process Engineering
- Firm roleManaging Partner
Works directly on food and beverage process projects while leading the Columbus office.
Direct 614.905.7781
Daniel Eicholtz
Rochester Office Director
- DisciplineFermentation Process Engineering
- Firm roleManaging Partner | Principal Process Engineer
Works directly on fermentation process projects while leading the Rochester office.
Direct 813.404.5759
Frank McKinnon-Nadeau
Mechanical Director
- DisciplineMechanical Engineering
- Firm rolePartner
Directs mechanical engineering and works as a mechanical engineer.
Haymanot (Haimi) Menkir
Validation Director | West Chester Office Director
- DisciplineValidation Engineering
- Firm roleLeadership Team
Directs validation and the West Chester office as a validation engineer.
Sean Gillespie, AIA, NCARB
Director of Architectural Services
- DisciplineArchitecture
- Firm roleShareholder
Practices architecture while directing the firm's U.S. architectural services.
Direct 919.360.5879Ownership stays close to the engineering. LAPORTE's U.S. partners and principals remain involved in design, technical review, project delivery, and client work.
Industry work
Experience organized around how your plant makes product.
Read the industry pages for process equipment, utilities, controls, power, and facility scope tied to each type of manufacturing plant.