PHOENIX, AZ — Willmeng Construction recently celebrated the completion of a complex tenant improvement project for United Foods International (UFI). The 129,172-square-foot shell building has been transformed into a food preparation and packaging facility for the global firm.
The completion of this facility was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event. The event featured remarks from several key stakeholders and local leaders, including the President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Christine Mackay, serving as the Master of Ceremonies. UFI President Take Shimura, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Ryan Touhill from the City of Phoenix Office of Economic Development, and Jeff Gordon, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of IDM Companies, delivered remarks.
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mayor Gallego and the entire team at the City of Phoenix, the state of Arizona, and our regional partners. Your support and guidance throughout this entire process have been invaluable to us,” UFI President Take Shimura said. “This new factory is a reflection of the vision and our commitment to innovation and growth alongside this community.”
“I’ve spent my entire career in Phoenix, and I’ve seen this market evolve from primarily local and regional growth to what it is today — a place competing on a global stage," Willmeng CEO James Murphy said. “United Foods International represents exactly the kind of partner driving that evolution. They are bringing high standards, discipline, and innovation to everything they do, and this new facility will help them maintain their position as a leader in their industry.”
UFI, a U.S. affiliate of the Japan-based Senba Group, is a global company with affiliated production sites across Asia. The company handles complex manufacturing for custom products, including natural, organic, kosher, and gluten-free offerings. This marks the second major facility Willmeng has completed for UFI, following a successful 112,000-square-foot building, completed in 2021.
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“This is our second project with UFI, which speaks to trust, performance, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way,” Murphy said. “It also reflects something bigger. Phoenix and Arizona are not just attracting global companies; we’re building up the capability to deliver for them consistently.”
“UFI has multiple facilities throughout our country, and we're so honored that Phoenix is where you chose to expand, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to make this an incredible success,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. “This state-of-the-art facility is impressive. From robotics to cutting-edge technology, food manufacturing is not just about good quality jobs; it's also about fun and great tastes.”
To meet UFI's strict manufacturing standards, Willmeng navigated technical complexities throughout the buildout. The project scope featured the creation of specialized spaces, including two cook rooms, a dryer room, a packing room, two freezers, three coolers, and administrative offices. To construct these environments, the Willmeng team oversaw the installation of approximately 127,000 square feet of insulated metal panels for the facility's walls and ceilings. Furthermore, because the team took over a tilt-up shell with no concrete slab, they were able to make the strategic and highly coordinated decision to route all necessary electrical and process piping utilities entirely underground. This meticulous zoning and layout ensured the space would accommodate UFI's specialized processing equipment, such as cooking kettles and dryers, before the floor slabs were even poured.
This project’s success was made possible through collaboration with the project’s design firm, Deutsch Architecture Group, and relationships with the City of Phoenix and SRP. Working closely with Don Brown and the City of Phoenix Annual Facilities Program allowed the build team to navigate permitting and approvals in a timely manner. Willmeng also credits the successful execution by key trade partners, including SubZero Constructors Inc., Wilson Electric, Adobe Drywall, and Technique Flooring, who all played a vital role in keeping the project flowing smoothly.
