Selective Demolition & Structural Dismantling
Selective Demolition & Structural Dismantling
Location: Muskegon, Michigan
Client: Gilbane & Cytiva
This former BASF chemical plant—a six-story, 80-foot-tall, 50,000 sq. ft. structure on a 5–6 acre industrial campus—required surgical removal of chemical-processing equipment to prepare the building for pharmaceutical-grade production. Working under Gilbane’s strict protocols, Melching completed a year-long selective demolition in one of the region’s most scrutinized industrial environments.
What We Delivered
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Full selective demolition of a six-story process facility
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Removal of tanks, vessels, platforms, and elevated equipment
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Plasma torch work for clean, low-spark cuts inside tight spaces
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Dismantling of a multi-story steel structure
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Removal of miles of process piping across the site
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Delivery of a fully cleared interior ready for pharmaceutical upgrades
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Crews worked from 80 feet up, removing components weighing over 100,000 pounds
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40-person crew, 15,000–20,000 man-hours with zero significant incidents
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Recovered millions of pounds of high-grade stainless steel and thousands of tons of structural steel
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Plasma torches used strategically to limit dust and sparks during heavy work
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Worked under daily oversight from Gilbane safety teams
Equipment & Capabilities
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300-ton crane for vessel extraction and high-elevation lifts
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High-capacity forklifts operating 80 feet above grade
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Excavators with shears and grapples
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OSHA-certified rigging, containers, and access systems
Results
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Completed safely over one continuous year
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Zero major injuries or shutdown events
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Earned a Gilbane Safety & Performance Award for excellence
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Delivered a clean, structured shell ready for biotech/pharmaceutical installation
The Bottom Line:
This was demolition with no margin for error—vertical, heavy, and tightly controlled. Melching delivered it with precision, safety, and a spotless record.