Shown (from left) are: Jeff DeMarco, Dave Vroman and Peter Brown of Campanelli; Paul Salem of Edesia; and an Edesia employee

North Kingstown, RI Campanelli Construction, a construction management firm headquartered in Braintree, Mass., completed an 83,000 s/f production, warehouse, and distribution facility built for Edesia in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The largest international exporter in Rhode Island, Edesia is a non-profit organization that manufactures peanut-based ready-to-use foods that help treat and prevent childhood malnutrition globally.

At a recent ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new factory, alongside Edesia founder and CEO, Navyn Salem; RI Governor, Gina Raimondo; U.S. senators, Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); congressman, David Cicilline (D-RI); RI state treasurer, Seth Magaziner; RI secretary of state, Nellie Gorbia; as well as representatives from USAID and the USDA gave congratulatory remarks in recognition of the achievement, which promises local and global benefits. As a result of Edesia’s relocation and expansion, the non-profit now has the capacity to reach over two million malnourished children worldwide each year.

 Campanelli Construction has built and developed more than 23 million square feet of industrial facilities and was eager to work with Edesia on building their new facility, which is five times larger than their previous headquarters in Providence, from the ground up.

“Edesia continues to illustrate the breadth of construction that Campanelli is capable of managing,” said Jeff DeMarco, president of Campanelli Construction.

“Our mission for our new building was to expand and create a vastly more efficient space to help us meet our goal of reaching 10 million malnourished children by the year 2020,” said Salem.

To help the non-profit stay under budget, Edesia’s new factory was built using pre-engineered Barnes steel buildings systems. High ceilings and an “industrial-chic” look were central to the design. Glass paneling along the hallway allows administrative and production staff to feel more integrated as a team inside the same building, while at the same time visitors can witness how Edesia’s products are made.

In addition to a 25,000 s/f “clean room” for manufacturing food to the highest safety standards and a 35,000 s/f warehouse, the floor plan balances open areas that encourage staff collaboration with more traditional cubicles, private offices, and conference rooms.

“The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) was instrumental in making this development smooth and easy,” said Dave Vroman, Campanelli Construction project executive.