Georg Fischer Central Plastics (GFCP), a leading U.S. manufacturer serving the natural gas utility industry, expanded its operations in Shawnee, Oklahoma with a new 150,000-square-foot metals manufacturing facility designed to support continued growth and operational performance. The facility produces key components such as meter sets, risers, and transition fittings, supporting GFCP’s role as a critical supplier in the natural gas sector.
While the initial goal targeted LEED v4 BD+C Silver certification, the project ultimately achieved LEED Gold—the result of a highly coordinated design and construction process.
Entegrity supported the project through a comprehensive set of services, including LEED consulting, energy modeling, daylighting analysis, commissioning (Cx), building envelope commissioning (BECx), and indoor air quality testing. This integrated approach ensured that sustainability goals were not only designed but also verified in the field.
Designing for Performance and Efficiency
The facility achieved 32.5% energy cost savings through a high-performance building envelope, right-sized HVAC systems, and advanced controls. These strategies work together to reduce operational costs while maintaining consistent indoor conditions critical to manufacturing environments.
Water efficiency was also a key priority, with a 36.76% reduction in indoor potable water use achieved through high-efficiency plumbing fixtures—lowering long-term resource demand without compromising functionality.
Site Strategy and Environmental Responsiveness
Together, GFCP’s Shawnee facilities employ approximately 1,000 people, reinforcing the company’s long-standing investment in the local community. The project team took a thoughtful approach to site selection and land use, aligning development with broader community and environmental goals. Located within a HUD-designated Difficult Development Area (DDA), the project supports investment in underserved communities while contributing to local economic growth.
Site design strategies further reduced environmental impact and improved usability:
- A 33.59% reduction in on-site parking, encouraging more efficient land use
- A bioswale and on-site retention pond designed to manage the 90th-percentile rainfall event, improving stormwater quality and reducing runoff
- Native and drought-tolerant landscaping that eliminates the need for permanent irrigation
- Open space and outdoor seating areas designed to support employee well-being and informal gathering
Together, these strategies create a site that is both functional and responsive to its environmental context.
A Smarter Approach to Materials and Resources
Material selection played a key role in achieving LEED Gold certification, with a focus on transparency, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction.
- 93% of construction waste was diverted from landfill
- 67 products included Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and 8 products with optimization reporting
- 32 products included material health documentation, and 6.5 products with optimization reporting
- 15% of materials were sourced responsibly by cost
These efforts reflect a commitment to reducing environmental impact while supporting more informed, sustainable material choices.
Enhancing the Indoor Environment
A strong focus was placed on occupant experience and indoor environmental quality—an important consideration even within a manufacturing setting.
The building achieved 82.31% spatial daylight autonomy, providing consistent access to natural light across regularly occupied areas and improving overall visual comfort.
Indoor environmental quality was further supported through the use of low- and zero-VOC materials and validated through post-construction air testing, confirming compliance with LEED indoor air quality standards. Occupants also benefit from accessible lighting and thermal controls, allowing for greater comfort and adaptability within the space.
Collaboration That Drives Results
Achieving LEED Gold required close coordination across the full project team—from design through field verification—with each phase aligned around performance, efficiency, and long-term value.
Achieving this level of certification within a manufacturing environment demonstrates that high-performance design can be successfully implemented in industrial facilities. Notably, the project is one of only two manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma to achieve LEED Gold certification, underscoring its significance both within the industry and the region.
The result is a facility that supports GFCP’s continued growth while delivering measurable performance, environmental responsibility, and long-term operational value.
