Engineering Scope
Electrical Engineering
PE-stamped power distribution, arc-flash and coordination studies, substation, and medium-voltage design for Allentown and Lehigh Valley food, beverage, and pharmaceutical plants.
Controls & Automation Engineering
PLC/SCADA, HMI, and control-panel design with full systems integration for Allentown-area production and packaging lines. Assignments can pair segmented OT network design with UL 508A panel assembly and installation, delivered as a defined fixed-fee package or T&M work with project management.
Process Engineering
Process design, P&IDs, and mechanical/utilities engineering for the food, chemical, and pharma processors across the Lehigh Valley.
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☎ Call (484) 301-2042 ✉ Send Project DetailsPlant and Facility Work near Allentown, PA
🍔 Food & Beverage
🥛 Dairy Processing
🍪 Snack & Bakery
🍖 Meat & Poultry
🐶 Pet Food
🌾 Agrifood
🛒 Consumer Products
🧴 Personal Care & Cosmetics
🧪 Chemical Processing
🧫 Specialty Chemicals
🔬 Life Sciences
💊 Nutraceuticals
💧 Water & Wastewater Treatment
📦 Warehousing & Distribution
📦 Packaging & Fulfillment
Local and Project Context near Allentown, PA
Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Concentration
The Lehigh Valley region surrounding Allentown is home to a dense cluster of regulated manufacturing facilities. Pharmaceutical production, medical device assembly, food processing, and specialty chemical operations all maintain active plants in Lehigh and Northampton counties. This concentration of FDA-regulated and USDA-regulated facilities creates steady demand for qualified electrical and automation engineering services.
Pennsylvania PE Licensure
LAPORTE engineers hold Professional Engineer licenses issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board. PE licensure is required for consulting engineers providing stamped electrical and control system designs to manufacturing clients. LAPORTE's PA-licensed engineers can sign and seal drawings for projects throughout the state, including the Allentown and Lehigh Valley region.
Proximity to LAPORTE's West Chester Office
Allentown is approximately 55 miles from LAPORTE's West Chester, PA headquarters. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes via the PA Turnpike (I-476), putting Lehigh Valley facilities well within same-day service range. LAPORTE engineers regularly support clients across eastern Pennsylvania without the delays or costs associated with out-of-state firms.
I-78 Industrial Corridor
The I-78 and I-81 corridors running through the Lehigh Valley form one of the most active industrial zones in the northeastern United States. Multiple industrial parks, Keystone Opportunity Zones, and economic development incentives have attracted pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturing operations to the region. New facility construction and plant modernization projects drive ongoing demand for electrical and automation engineering.
Life Sciences and Pharma Cluster
The Lehigh Valley sits within the broader Mid-Atlantic pharmaceutical manufacturing belt that extends from eastern Pennsylvania into New Jersey. The region hosts FDA-regulated pharmaceutical production, medical device manufacturing, and biotech operations. These facilities require engineering partners experienced with GMP compliance, cleanroom electrical systems, and validated automation platforms.
Engineering Leadership
Nate Kocher, P.E.
Partner, Director of Electrical and Automation Engineering
LAPORTE • West Chester, PA
Engineering and management consultant with 15+ years of work in control systems, power distribution and systems integration for food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- P.E. Licensed in 21 States
- Penn State, B.S. Electrical Engineering
- West Chester University, MBA
Keith Morgart, P.E.
Electrical and Automation Engineer
LAPORTE • Greater Pittsburgh, PA
Electrical power and controls engineer whose work includes power distribution, motor controls and code compliance for industrial and commercial facilities.
- P.E. Licensed Professional Engineer
- University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, B.S. Electrical Engineering
- NEC, NFPA and IEEE standards
Representative Project Work
pet food • multidiscipline
Project need: A pet food manufacturer required engineering design for a new 370,000 sq ft greenfield production facility ($315M total constructed cost).
LAPORTE scope: LAPORTE provided preliminary and detailed engineering for MEP, automation, instrumentation, and process. Scope included 45 HVAC units, ammonia refrigeration with micro-charging, air compressors, boilers, 40 MBTU cooling tower, chiller skids (2,300 TR), and wastewater treatment. Services included procurement, construction administration, startup, and commissioning with a team of 35.
Outcome: The greenfield facility was designed and constructed as a fully integrated production plant.
food & beverage • automation
Project need: A nutrition company required engineering for a greenfield whey protein plant ($800M total constructed cost) including receiving, heat treatment, filtration, and drying systems.
LAPORTE scope: LAPORTE provided project management, preliminary and detailed engineering design for process and automation, design of automation architecture (50+ control panels, networks, operator stations, control room), procurement support, and commissioning (IQ/OQ/PQ). Scope included HTST heat treatment, disc stack centrifuges, membrane filtration (UF/NF/RO), crystallization, evaporation, spray drying, and CIP.
Outcome: The greenfield whey protein plant was designed and commissioned.
pharmaceutical • multidiscipline
Project need: A national research organization required a new Biologics Manufacturing Centre with biological containment level CL2 for vaccine candidate production (5,000 m², $126M total constructed cost).
LAPORTE scope: LAPORTE provided engineering and construction supervision for the new facility including two cell culture suites (500L and 2,000L), purification by chromatography, vial filling, secondary packaging, warehouse, offices, mechanical/electrical rooms, and QC laboratory. The facility was designed in accordance with GMP requirements.
Outcome: The Biologics Manufacturing Centre was completed and designed for vaccine production.
Project Questions
Does LAPORTE have engineers licensed in Pennsylvania?
Yes. LAPORTE employs Professional Engineers licensed by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board. Our PA-licensed engineers can stamp and seal electrical, instrumentation, and control system designs for projects anywhere in the state, including Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.
What industries does LAPORTE serve near Allentown?
LAPORTE serves pharmaceutical, food and beverage, chemical, and biotech manufacturers throughout the Lehigh Valley. Our engineering teams are experienced with FDA-regulated production environments, USDA-regulated food processing facilities, and specialty chemical plants common in the region.
How quickly can LAPORTE respond to projects in Allentown?
LAPORTE's West Chester, PA office is approximately 90 minutes from Allentown via the PA Turnpike. Our engineers can be on site the same day for urgent needs. For routine project work, we maintain regular site visit schedules and supplement on-site time with remote engineering support.
What electrical engineering services does LAPORTE provide for manufacturing plants?
LAPORTE provides power distribution design, lighting and grounding systems, arc flash studies, motor control design, classified area electrical design, and medium-voltage system engineering. We design to NEC, NFPA, and facility-specific standards required in regulated manufacturing environments.
Can LAPORTE support automation upgrades at existing facilities?
Yes. LAPORTE regularly engineers automation retrofits and control system migrations for operating plants. We develop designs that minimize production downtime, maintain regulatory compliance, and integrate with existing plant infrastructure. Our approach includes detailed cutover planning and commissioning support.
Does LAPORTE work with pharmaceutical manufacturers on validated systems?
Yes. LAPORTE designs electrical and automation systems for GMP-regulated pharmaceutical facilities. Our engineers understand GAMP guidelines, 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, and FDA validation expectations. We deliver documentation packages that support qualification and validation activities.
What is LAPORTE's approach to control system design for regulated facilities?
LAPORTE develops control system architectures, detailed panel designs, instrument specifications, and PLC/HMI programming specifications for regulated manufacturing. We work with major automation platforms and design systems that meet client standards, industry codes, and regulatory requirements specific to each facility.
Engineering support in nearby areas
Engineering support for Allentown, PA
Serving Allentown, PA from West Chester, PA
Suite 200, 158 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19382
West Chester, PA 19382
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