Dairy Farmers of America Quail Hollow Milk Drying Plant

The DFA Quail Hollow Plant is a new construction, state-of-the-art milk drying facility and the first of its kind in the U.S. at the time of completion. Big-D’s project scope included construction of the 125,000-sf processing plant, a 4,000-sf wastewater treatment facility, and site development for the 31.5-acre plot. The facility includes areas for receiving, labs, silo alcoves, separating, wet processing, evaporating, drying, packaging, and warehouse space. Big-D self-performed the concrete work which included 40- to 60-ft high tilt-up wall panels for the process area, with the balance of the frame being structural steel clad with insulated metal panels. Deep pile concrete foundations support the dryer and evaporator towers. Finishes include insulated metal panel walls and ceilings, high performance wall coatings over concrete, urethane floor system and stainless-steel fixtures. Big-D coordinated deliveries and installation of all the building and process equipment. Challenges included heightened sanitation requirements and Big-D took numerous special precautions to avoid contaminates from the construction process from entering the new facility.