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Meat Processing Refrigeration Design Services in California

Hixson delivers integrated meat processing refrigeration design services for California facilities that need reliable cold-chain performance, sanitary layouts, and regulatory-ready engineering. From cooler and freezer planning to automation and utility coordination, our team helps processors build efficient systems that support product quality, uptime, and compliance in California's demanding food production environment.

Engineers planning refrigeration systems for a meat processing facility

Our Meat Processing Refrigeration Design Services

Integrated refrigeration and facility design solutions tailored for meat and poultry processing operations in California.

Industrial Refrigeration

Design support for refrigeration systems serving meat processing environments, including coolers, freezers, and related infrastructure that protect product quality, improve efficiency, and support dependable plant performance.

Process Engineering

Process and manufacturing engineering for meat and poultry facilities, aligning refrigeration with receiving, storage, chilling, freezing, packaging, and utility requirements for coordinated operations.

Controls Automation

Controls and automation engineering that helps integrate refrigeration equipment, monitoring, alarms, and startup support for better visibility, consistency, and operational control.

EH&S Permitting

Environmental, health, and safety compliance and permitting support to help refrigeration projects align with applicable standards, documentation needs, and facility requirements.

Building Systems

Building systems engineering that coordinates refrigeration design with electrical, mechanical, and facility-wide infrastructure for a more complete and constructible solution.

Master Planning

Master planning services that help processors evaluate future capacity, phased expansion, and long-term refrigeration needs across growing meat processing operations.

Cold Chain Expertise

Integrated Refrigeration Design for Meat Facilities

Hixson helps meat processors plan refrigeration systems as part of a fully integrated facility design approach. Our team coordinates process flow, utilities, controls, and compliance considerations to support safe, efficient cold storage and production environments. For California processors, that means designs that account for energy performance, food safety expectations, and the operational demands of high-throughput facilities across the state.

Industrial refrigeration design for a meat processing plant
Trusted Industry Experience

Project Results

See how integrated engineering helps food processors improve performance, compliance, and long-term facility readiness.

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis
The Hixson Difference

Why Choose Hixson?

Hixson brings deep food facility expertise and integrated engineering support to complex refrigeration design projects.

Long Experience

Founded in 1948, Hixson brings 75+ years of specialized architecture and engineering experience.

Integrated Team

Twenty in-house disciplines streamline refrigeration design, utilities, process coordination, and documentation under one team.

Food Expertise

Deep Food & Beverage knowledge supports California meat facilities facing strict sanitation and operational demands.

Risk Reduction

Proven project methods help California processors reduce coordination gaps, delays, and compliance-related design risks.

Meet The Hixson Team

Experienced specialists supporting complex food facility projects.

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John Brockmeier P.E.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering

John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

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Craig Cheevers

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering

As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

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Warren Green, P.E.

Manager, Process Engineering

Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

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Steve Guyer, P.E.

Manager, Civil Engineering

In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

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Chris Jarc, P.E., PMP, LEED AP

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services

Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

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Dave Klenk

Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

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Kyle McAllister

Manager, Electrical Engineering

Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

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Scott McGlamery, P.E.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

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Scott Wever

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

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Derek Wojcikowski

Director of Architecture

Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do meat processing refrigeration design services include?

These services typically include refrigeration system planning, cooler and freezer layout coordination, utility integration, process flow support, controls coordination, and documentation for construction and startup. For meat facilities, design also needs to account for sanitary conditions, temperature-sensitive operations, product movement, and compatibility with packaging, storage, and production areas so the full cold chain works together efficiently.

Why is refrigeration design important in meat processing facilities?

Can Hixson design refrigeration systems for new and existing meat plants?

How does refrigeration design support food safety compliance?

Does Hixson provide controls and automation support for refrigeration projects?

What industries does Hixson serve for refrigeration-related design?

How long does a meat processing refrigeration design project take?

Does Hixson work with clients in California?

Still Have Questions About Refrigeration Design?

Speak with our team about your facility goals and project requirements.

Areas We Serve

Hixson supports refrigeration and facility design projects for processors across California and throughout North America.

North America

Service Reach

Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30

Business Hours

4.5/5 GBP

Client Rating

Planning a California Facility Project?

Ask if our team can support your refrigeration design needs.

Certified & Recognized

Awards and Recognition

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Great Place to Work

Certified workplace culture and team excellence.

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Rising Giant 178

Interior Design magazine industry recognition.

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Top Sector Firm

Recognized across core industry sectors.

Start Your Refrigeration Design Conversation

Tell us about your meat processing facility, project scope, and timeline. Our team will review your goals and help identify the right next steps.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.