Stellar, a fully integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services worldwide, has been ranked the 8th top industrial contractor in the nation by Engineering News-Record (ENR), the construction industry’s leading trade publication. The ranking demonstrates Stellar’s dominance in the food processing industry.

ENR’s Top 400 Contractors list, published annually in May, ranks the country’s top 400 general contractors, both publicly and privately held, based on construction contracting-specific revenue. The magazine’s “industrial process” category includes food and beverage processing, steel and non-ferrous metals, chemicals (non petroleum), pharmaceuticals, and pulp and paper plants. Stellar was also ranked 43rd for contractors working abroad and 121st overall. The full list can be viewed at http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Top-Contractors/001-100.asp. 

Stellar has extensive experience in the food manufacturing and distribution industry. Since its beginning in 1985, Stellar has focused on the food industry, serving companies such as Nestlé, Kraft, Starbucks, Heinz, Food Lion, Burris Logistics, United States Cold Storage, and Sysco Foods. To share insights gained from its years focused on the industry, Stellar recently launched a blog at stellarfoodforthought.net, covering topics such as food safety, energy efficiency, processing trends, design-build best practices, advances in refrigeration, new technologies, materials and techniques, and more. 

Last year Stellar took its food expertise overseas with its expansion into China. In response to requests from U.S. customers building or expanding in China, Stellar established a headquarters office in Shanghai, with a branch office in Guangzhou. The company currently has several major projects under way in the country for Fortune 500 food companies.

Stellar also designs and builds facilities for the military and a range of industries such as automotive, educational, faith-based, healthcare, hospitality, municipal, office, recreation and retail.