Engineering Scope

Electrical Engineering

PE-stamped power distribution, arc-flash and coordination studies, substation and medium-voltage design for Lancaster County's dense mix of food processors, snack and dairy plants, and metal-fabrication shops, many in aging facilities along the Route 30 and 222 corridors that need capacity upgrades and updated NFPA 70E arc-flash labeling. We size services for new lines and refrigeration loads, design lighting and grounding, and document the existing-condition gaps older plants carry.

Controls & Automation Engineering

PLC/SCADA programming, HMI development, control panel design, and systems integration on Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms for Lancaster County packaging, building-products, and food lines where batch consistency and changeover speed drive throughput. We integrate new equipment with legacy floor controls, build UL-compliant panels, and bring sanitary and dry-goods processes onto modern, supportable automation. We also design OT network rack and switch architecture, build and install UL 508A panels, and deliver the work at fixed-fee or T&M with project management.

Process Engineering

Process design, P&IDs, and mechanical/utilities engineering for the wide range of products Lancaster County makes, from pasteurization and CIP systems for dairy and beverage to compressed air, steam, and process water for fabrication and building-materials plants. We define the process scope, size utilities realistically, and coordinate mechanical, structural, and architectural disciplines so a line is actually buildable, not only drawn.

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Plant and Facility Work in Lancaster County

🍔 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 in Lancaster County

Lancaster County's Manufacturing Base
Lancaster County is one of Pennsylvania's top manufacturing regions, with a concentration of food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical production, and specialty chemical operations. The county consistently ranks among the state's leaders in manufacturing employment.
Pennsylvania PE Licensure
LAPORTE's engineers hold Professional Engineer licenses issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers. PA licensure covers practice anywhere in the commonwealth, including Lancaster County and surrounding areas.
Proximity to LAPORTE's West Chester Office
LAPORTE's West Chester, PA headquarters is approximately 42 miles from Lancaster, roughly a one-hour drive via US Route 30. This proximity allows for regular on-site presence during design, construction support, and commissioning phases.
Southeast PA Manufacturing Corridor
Lancaster County sits within the broader southeast Pennsylvania manufacturing corridor that extends from Chester County through Lancaster and into York and Berks counties. This region supports a dense network of regulated manufacturing operations in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical sectors.
Regulated Industry Presence
Lancaster County and the surrounding region are home to FDA-regulated food processing plants, pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, and chemical production facilities. These industries require engineering firms experienced in GMP environments, FDA compliance, and NFPA electrical standards.

Engineering Leadership

Photo of Nate Kocher, P.E.
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
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Photo of Keith Morgart, P.E.
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
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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 West Chester, PA office has served clients across the commonwealth for over 25 years.
What industries does LAPORTE serve near Lancaster County?
LAPORTE serves pharmaceutical, food and beverage, chemical, and biotech manufacturers in the Lancaster County region. Our engineers design electrical power distribution, process controls, and automation systems for GMP and FDA-regulated facilities.
How quickly can LAPORTE respond to projects in Lancaster County?
LAPORTE's West Chester office is approximately one hour from Lancaster County. Our engineers regularly travel to client sites in the region for design surveys, construction observation, and commissioning support.
Can LAPORTE support FDA-regulated manufacturing projects in Lancaster County?
Yes. LAPORTE has extensive experience in FDA-regulated environments, including pharmaceutical and food manufacturing. Our engineers understand cGMP requirements, validation protocols, and the documentation standards these facilities demand.
What electrical engineering services does LAPORTE provide for Lancaster County manufacturers?
LAPORTE provides power distribution design, lighting and grounding systems, arc flash studies, short circuit analysis, and NEC/NFPA code compliance for industrial facilities. We design systems for both new construction and facility upgrades.
Does LAPORTE handle automation and controls projects in Lancaster County?
Yes. LAPORTE designs control systems, PLC and HMI programming, SCADA systems, and instrumentation for process manufacturing. We work with major automation platforms and integrate systems across batch, continuous, and discrete manufacturing processes.
Can LAPORTE support capital projects at existing Lancaster County manufacturing plants?
LAPORTE regularly supports capital improvement projects at operating facilities. Our engineers plan work around production schedules, design for brownfield conditions, and coordinate shutdowns to minimize downtime.

Engineering support in nearby areas

Engineering support for Lancaster County, PA

Serving Lancaster County, PA from West Chester, PA
Suite 200, 158 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19382
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