Shawmut Design and Construction breaks ground on Taco's innovation and development center

Shawmut Design and Construction has broken ground on an $18 million expansion and renovation project at Taco's manufacturing headquarters. Designed by architectural firm Baker Design Group, Taco's innovation and development center will consist of a ground-up, 24,037 s/f, two-story building that is connected to the company's main headquarters. Shawmut will also conduct an extensive renovation to 24,000 s/f of Taco's existing headquarters. "Shawmut is proud to play an integral role in this project, which will have a profound impact on manufacturing in Rhode Island," said Ron Simoneau, vice president of Shawmut. "The innovation & development center represents Taco's commitment to Rhode Island and its workers. As a member of the Rhode Island community, this is a commitment shared by everyone here at Shawmut." Taco's Innovation & Development Center will feature a 63 seat tiered classroom, two 25 seat teaming spaces, two 30 seat classrooms, a library with computer center, conference rooms, computer training labs, demonstration rooms featuring cutting-edge equipment and functioning laboratories for testing and teaching. Shawmut will also perform an extensive, floor-to-ceiling renovation to 24,000 s/f of Taco's existing headquarters, which will include new offices, meeting rooms, and work stations which will be illuminated by a combination of natural light and energy efficient lighting. Other environmentally-friendly design elements will be included, and when completed, the project is expected to be LEED certified. "Shawmut Design and Construction is a first-class construction management firm with national reach," said John Hazen White, Jr., president and CEO of Taco. "Their Providence office, led by Ron Simoneau, is our key partner on this major project. We have full confidence and complete trust in their team delivering this complex project on schedule and on budget." Shawmut, which specializes in occupied space work, will conduct all construction with minimal interruption to Taco's present manufacturing operations. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on June 3. Construction began on June 6. The projectwill be performed in five phases and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2012.