Digi-Key Electronics is experiencing rapid growth worldwide. The electronic components distributor is bursting at the seams and desperately needs more space. Digi-Key selected Widseth to design a 2.2 million-square-foot expansion at its headquarters in Thief River Falls, MN.
The $300 million project will house 3,400 employees and projections suggest 100 new employees will be added each year for the next 10 years. Digi-Key’s new expansion is expected to contribute an additional $500 million in economic output once it opens.
Widseth assisted Digi-Key at each phase of this massive project. Working with Digi-Key’s engineers and equipment consultants, we developed a building program to serve the company’s multifaceted operations. Due to the size and complexity of the project, state regulations required the completion of an Alternative Urban Area Review (AUAR). Widseth’s architects, engineers, and environmental scientists analyzed the requirements and tailored the design to balance the needs of Digi-Key with the environmental requirements of the state.
Prior to the start of detailed design, our land survey crew and aerial mapping team collected LiDAR data and high-resolution imagery of the site and surrounding area. This served as a highly accurate basis for our architects and engineers to begin design. The building, systems, and site infrastructure were all designed by Widseth’s structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers. Our architectural team guided Digi-Key through a collaborative design process that addressed its space and operational needs, while allowing for flexibility in the future and changes in technology.
The City of Thief River Falls is excited to see Digi-Key’s continued success, which means more job opportunities for residents and increased economic strength. The State of Minnesota will benefit too, with an expected $184 million in new annual state revenue, and close to $2 billion over the next 10 years.
Watch the video above to see how Digi-Key’s expansion project will look upon completion.
Does your manufacturing or distribution facility need to expand? How much is inefficient design costing you each year? Are you falling behind competitors in your industry? Contact us to see how Widseth can help you.