P1 Continues Fabrication and OSM Growth to Meet Demand

What IS the difference between off-site manufacturing and fabrication?

Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) is typically a multi-trade assembly manufactured for direct installation. it involves making an entire product, system or standardized building module in a controlled environment before moving or shipping it to the final location or jobsite.

Off-Site Manufacturing

• Often done for third party customers or direct-to-owner assembly
• Builds complete modules, skids, or multi-trade units
• Relies on repeatable product lines, inventory control, and systematic workflows
• Focuses on mass-producing standardized components for delivery

Fabrication

• Involves cutting, welding, machining, and joining raw stock
• Often creates single-project structural elements like pipes or custom ductwork for specific projects
• Provides risk mitigation and efficiency by producing in a controlled environment (true for OSM as well)

P1 does both and has been doing so for many years. Today, the P1 “fab” shops are experiencing major expansion to support continued growth in client-awarded projects and strengthen P1’s ability to deliver at scale.

The Millwrights, for example, have updated both their technology and their fabrication space to accommodate OSM production.

Pictured Above: fabrication area at the New Millwright Shop in New Century, KS

The shop has moved both its Haskell and laser shop operations to one consolidated (but much larger) space in New Century, KS.

“One of the main reasons is scalability,” Millwright Team Lead Jim Nisely said. “The size and volume of the structures we are being asked to fabricate require much more space. The new 90,000 sq. ft. space allows us to scale and become more efficient as we shift our thinking from one-off jobs to more repeatable processes.”

Fabrication Manager Kevin Norris explains how the move creates a ripple of efficiency throughout multiple shops, including the electrical shop at the Haskell location.

“The Millwrights are unloading, moving, and loading equipment for the electrical trades,” he said. “It just sense to move our fabrication to the new location.”

“The Electrical Division can log, inspect, test, and store equipment while the Millwrights are building the support structures,” Kevin added. “Additionally, the new location is very friendly for equipment logistics, with areas to handle materials from box trailers to flat beds.”

P1 pipe shops are expanding into more space at the Haskell location, while also adding to the completely separate polypropylene (PPR) shop, which continues to expand for scalability.

According to Operations Manager Jeremy Price, demand is higher for pipe production overall, with more coming through partnerships with large customers.

“The PPR shop is designed specifically to maximize the storage and dynamics of producing and distributing polypropylene pipe and parts across the U.S. and around the world,” he said. “Features include vendor-managed inventory and specialized equipment that can move product faster.”

In addition, the pipe and plumbing shops are rolling out scheduling technology to create transparency and more careful scheduling in response to demand.

According to Vice President Steve Hinshaw, the new locations and larger spaces are a necessity for OSM.

“We are 3-5 times more efficient in our shop environments than in the field,” Steve said. “The shortage of skilled trades across the nation has also pushed the need for OSM. We are manufacturing modules for projects while they are coming out of the ground. Large integrated work packages can be installed in a short period of time.”

P1 Sheet Metal fabrication along with Tools and Warehouse have also expanded to new locations to allow for speed, efficiency, and consistent quality in mass production.

That means more room at the P1’s original Haskell location for expansion of plumbing, pipe and electrical operations, where critical assemblies are built for “plug and play” use.

P1 now has separate fabrication locations, located in the central U.S., for:

• P1 Warehouse and Tools + Sheet Metal Fabrication
• Electrical and Pipe
• Plumbing
• Polypropylene Resin Pipe
• Millwright
• Architectural Metal