Solutions Engineering and Project Management Co. Ltd
Symbol of Excellence in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management

“We lead the way in engineering, procurement, and construction management, addressing the industry’s challenges of delays and cost overruns to protect a project’s profitability and uplift efficiency,” says Tony Xu, PM at Solutions Engineering and Project Management Co. Ltd (SEP), an industry-leading engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) service provider for Chinese, American, Indonesian, and Vietnamese clients, primarily in the medicine, food, beverage, and automobile sectors.

Solutions Engineering and Project Management Co. Ltd, also known as SEP, is a full-service provider offering a spectrum of services, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) design and engineering, procurement and construction management, process systems design, material handling and distribution, warehouse logistics, and manufacturing intelligence. Seasoned experts from across its departments work cohesively and partner with clients– whether needing the entire EPCM or a single service–at every project stage to offer the most cost-effective solutions with top-notch quality control.

From a project’s inception, team SEP stays highly client-centric, emphasizing a deep understanding of the client’s goals, challenges, and expectations. They go the extra mile, assisting in the selection of optimal project sites and government permitting, due diligence audit, cost estimation, and tender management before moving on to the design phase.

Planning the Tailored Services

The company starts BIM designing by partnering with a local design institute. Subsequently, it performs extensive discussions with clients to uncover opportunities for design optimization, while its in-house design and quantity survey experts offer valuable recommendations for design alterations to ensure budget streamlining. During procurement, it guides clients toward the most cost-effective, dependable, and high-quality supply chain options for their products. This expertise is achieved through an in-depth knowledge of market dynamics and pricing structures in the areas it operates.

In the construction phase, SEP’s seasoned site engineers meticulously oversee project progress along with schedules, quality, and health and safety control. This guarantees efficient operations, minimal resource and time wastage, and prevents workplace hazards. They also conduct thorough evaluations of construction-related expenses to exercise prudent cost control, offering valuable recommendations to clients for cost reduction and quality control.

“Our design operations encompass all disciplines. Guided by our Design Head, Suzy Zhang, a LEED Accredited Professional, our teams implement best practices, ensuring high-quality design services,” says Jingjing Ran, quantity survey head of SEP. “Along with the EPCM services, we offer consultancy services like feasibility studies, capacity evaluation, investment evaluation, CapEx planning, and KPI audit to guarantee a project’s holistic success.”

SEP also takes rigorous measures to ensure that project design and construction operations fully comply with the specific regulatory standards set forth by relevant authorities in clients’ respective locations. Its expertise in Chinese regulations empowers it to adeptly guide international firms seeking to embark on projects in China. It facilitates approval and permits and understands Chinese consumer choices to enable seamless entry into the market.

Before executing the design, the design team also conducts a series of analyses to compare the pros and cons of various systems or equipment to assist clients in decision-making and choose a more suitable option. For instance, in its ongoing Jiaxing Pagoda project with Hormel, its MEP engineers have sophisticatedly calculated the electrical power and demand beforehand to help clients utilize and select suitable equipment to meet production requirements. This has helped the client to use some redundant tools (surplus for previous production needs) from the existing factory, which directly saved their investment by nearly ten million RMB and reduced potential daily energy costs.

Exemplary Project Management Capabilities

SEP’s exceptional project management prowess shines through its partnership with Starbucks in developing a state-of-the-art roasting plant, green bean warehouse, and office complex in China amid the COVID-19. Despite the challenges posed by the extended two-year project timeline due to the pandemic, the dedicated SEP team, even with several members in quarantine, remained committed to delivering optimal results for the client. They achieved the 3.5 million safety hours, an outstanding achievement especially during some of the most restrictive COVID-19 guidelines during the these works in Kunshan, China.

They provided comprehensive EPCM services for the project, which spanned an expansive 80,000 square meters of land and encompassed 5,700 square meters of building space. They also guided the client in understanding the requirements and standards of LEED and China Green Building, granting the project LEED Platinum and Green Building 3-Star certifications.

In the design phase, SEP crafted a meticulous BIM: LOD 400, covering the master layout, process design, architectural elements, structural components, electrical systems, HVAC, fire protection, plumbing, and industrial gas infrastructure. Throughout the construction phase, it orchestrated diverse tasks, from civil, structural and architectural engineering (CSA) to mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) work, interior design, landscaping, process equipment installation, hook up, rigorous testing, commissioning, and the final handover. Robust project management guaranteed adherence to the schedule and top-tier quality standards. In addition, its vigilant cost optimization measures at every project stage significantly contributed to a $30 million cost reduction.

James J. Costa, principal, founder of SEP says, “Relative to the Recent completion of the Starbucks project, it was an incredible experience as a EPCM, with some outstanding partners to work with. Starbucks partners are the best of the best whether from HQ or locally here in China, just super people to work with. The successful completion of the campus as a LEED Platinum, China 3-Star Green Building driving a fully automated warehouse, state of act roasting plant complemented with one of the most beautiful innovation, office centers we have ever completed. No question this is beyond “World Class” and will be the industry standard for the foreseeable future.”

The company also helped McCain Food open a potato production plant in Yangling Agriculture Hi-Tech Development Zone in Xi’an, China. McCain had invested over 200 Mio USD in the project, and SEP delivered PE services,

Exemplary Project Management Capabilities

SEP’s exceptional project management prowess shines through its partnership with Starbucks in developing a state-of-the-art roasting plant, green bean warehouse, and office complex in China amid the COVID-19. Despite the challenges posed by the extended two-year project timeline due to the pandemic, the dedicated SEP team, even with several members in quarantine, remained committed to delivering optimal results for the client. They achieved the 3.5 million safety hours, an outstanding achievement especially during some of the most restrictive COVID-19 guidelines during the these works in Kunshan, China.

They provided comprehensive EPCM services for the project, which spanned an expansive 80,000 square meters of land and encompassed 5,700 square meters of building space. They also guided the client in understanding the requirements and standards of LEED and China Green Building, granting the project LEED Platinum and Green Building 3-Star certifications.

In the design phase, SEP crafted a meticulous BIM: LOD 400, covering the master layout, process design, architectural elements, structural components, electrical systems, HVAC, fire protection, plumbing, and industrial gas infrastructure. Throughout the construction phase, it orchestrated diverse tasks, from civil, structural and architectural engineering (CSA) to mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) work, interior design, landscaping, process equipment installation, hook up, rigorous testing, commissioning, and the final handover. Robust project management guaranteed adherence to the schedule and top-tier quality standards. In addition, its vigilant cost optimization measures at every project stage significantly contributed to a $30 million cost reduction.

James J. Costa, principal, founder of SEP says, “Relative to the Recent completion of the Starbucks project, it was an incredible experience as a EPCM, with some outstanding partners to work with. Starbucks partners are the best of the best whether from HQ or locally here in China, just super people to work with. The successful completion of the campus as a LEED Platinum, China 3-Star Green Building driving a fully automated warehouse, state of act roasting plant complemented with one of the most beautiful innovation, office centers we have ever completed. No question this is beyond “World Class” and will be the industry standard for the foreseeable future.”

The company also helped McCain Food open a potato production plant in Yangling Agriculture Hi-Tech Development Zone in Xi’an, China. McCain had invested over 200 Mio USD in the project, and SEP delivered PE services, including process equipment installation management and commissioning, to help them establish the facility.

SEP’s success stems from its tailored solutions in design, quality survey, engineering, and construction management, earning it a rich portfolio of over 200 success stories with corporations like Driscoll’s Organic Berries, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Carlsberg, Autoliv, and other Fortune 100 enterprises in various industries.

Scripting Geographical and Industrial Expansions

In response to the robust growth of the clients’ businesses in Southeast Asia and the thriving foreign investment landscape in ASEAN, the company decided to establish branch offices in Vietnam and Indonesia this year. This strategic initiative aims to enhance services for key clients like Carlsberg Vietnam, further propelling the company’s business growth.

The company is also continually refining its workforce’s skills to undertake more pharmaceutical projects, supplementing its primary focus on the food and beverage industry. Its teams are adept at adhering to pharmaceutical industry codes, prioritizing hygiene and clean design based on GMP requirements. This includes a focus on flush design for windows, walls, ceilings, and doors to prevent dust particles and microorganisms. These capabilities have facilitated its multiple successful collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Sanofi.

Similarly, the company’s recent projects for the pharma sector in Shanghai for Bide and Xinhuanghe, underscores its commitment to pushing boundaries, achieving higher goals, and consistently upgrading and diversifying across industries.

SEP stands as an epitome of excellence in construction and project management in a world struggling with rising costs. Its seasoned workforce, constituting forty percent women in a male-dominated industry, with industry-leading technical know-how, paves the path for cost optimization at every stage of the project lifecycle, making the company a repeated choice for clients.