A recent EPC distribution terminal project, completed by PENTA Industrial Corp, highlights the benefits of modular design where components can be assembled at the factory without the need to use craft labour near the construction site, saving time. Modular thinking also places environmental control, efficient loading and steel bin storage at the centre of design requirements. By Manoj Mohan, PENTA Industrial Corporation, USA.

For cement producers to be competitive in dynamic and changing markets, they must be able to upgrade and expand their cement distribution network quickly to respond to the customers’ changing and time-sensitive needs. For example, the recent oil and gas boom saw demand for oilwell cement grow rapidly in just a few years with oilwell cement producers keen to take advantage of this market opportunity. This required a fast-track construction schedule for new cement distribution terminals. In some cases, where terminals are located in remote rural areas, this presents an additional issue as finding experienced craft labour to carry out such projects is both time- and cost-consuming.