Cottrell Trailer North Campus Expansion

Cottrell’s new 545,000 SF climate-controlled manufacturing facility, in Gainsville, GA, sets a new standard for advanced production operations, integrating high-capacity paint and post-paint assembly workflows and featuring North America’s largest powder coating system. AHA designed a robust compressed air central plant and a high-capacity natural gas system to power the extensive manufacturing processes, including large-scale drying ovens and advanced automation systems to meet the facility’s complex infrastructure needs. These systems were engineered to deliver reliable performance while accommodating the rigorous demands of high-volume production.

AHA also implemented innovative ventilation and cooling strategies that maintain stable indoor conditions, ensuring worker comfort and optimal equipment performance as the curing oven created significant thermal loads, which presented a critical design challenge.

In addition to supporting powder-coating operations, the facility includes in-house fabrication, automation, quality control, and dedicated custom assembly zones that enhance overall production efficiency. AHA’s mechanical and plumbing design solutions were tailored to meet stringent process and environmental control requirements, supporting Cottrell’s commitment to advanced, sustainable, and efficient manufacturing.

Cottrell’s fully automated line delivers highly durable, environmentally friendly finishes through a precise process of chemical pretreatment, electrostatic coating, and high temperature curing to ensure consistent film quality. 

We are thrilled that the Cottrell Trailer North Campus Expansion project received Award of Merit, Manufacturing from Engineering News Record