Industrial

Advancing success through strategic support

At CSRS, a Westwood company, we aim to create productive partnerships to bring your project development vision to reality. Our experienced team of advisors, program managers, and multi-disciplinary technical experts helps you plan, strategize, and execute industrial projects with your unique objectives in mind. We relentlessly pursue client-focused solutions and work side-by-side with your team to drive the successful implementation of your project.

Related Markets & Services

Renewable Energy

Chemicals

Midstream

Terminals

Waste to Energy

Battery Materials

Strategic Project Planning

Owner's Engineer Support

Project Execution Services

Early Project Planning and Consulting

Even in the best-case scenarios, the maze of complex and interrelated tasks required to take a project from concept to start-up can seem overwhelming. At CSRS, we are your strategically, looking out for your best interests when you need it most.

Our consulting services are designed to support our clients capital investment decisions by working in close collaboration with you. We help set the stage for success throughout the entire project lifecycle by carefully defining the project scope, interfaces, cost and schedule. We collaborate with our clients in Project Planning in the conceptual phase of a project that will have lasting impact.

How We Empower Project Success

Project Development

Many clients have great ideas on industrial projects with in-house or partnered expertise in technologies, but may not have the familiarity with how to develop the project in new geographic areas. We provide Project Development Consultants who help you plan out the most critical activities that need early focus. These activities may need to match up to plans that will satisfy project investors in addressing and mitigating project risk. Our services will provide support with Early Investment Capital Planning in order to obtain investment capital during project development.

Site Selection

We can help clients with Site Selection to pick the best location for the project with our knowledge of access to pipelines, utilities, and import/export modes including ship, barge, rail, pipeline and highway. See Site Selection section for more detail.

Project Incentives

CSRS helps guide clients to understand the value of the business incentive package for their site to help reach a final investment decision. We consult with key stakeholders and tax advisory partners to maximize state and local tax incentives packages. By pairing our technical expertise with the knowledge of local and state levels incentives, we help ensure the incentive package complements the overall business objectives. A well-designed Incentives package can offset both capital cost and operating cost expenditures, improving project feasibility.

Project Planning

Utilizing our experience with project execution, we work with you to create realistic project timelines through the development of an Initial Project Schedule. From this exercise, we identify and drive critical front-end project activities, laying a foundation for the project’s logical progression. We help our clients integrate permit acquisition and early scope definition activities to progress the project in an efficient manner. Additionally, we perform critical risk assessments, identifying potential hurdles and implementing effective mitigation strategies to safeguard against setbacks. We focus on a variety of potential risks including technical risks, schedule risks, market risks, and financial risks. We will provide consulting and engineering support needed for Project Planning.

Feasibility and Due Diligence

We understand that the success of projects are determined by their ability to deliver an expected rate of return while satisfying the prescribed quality and schedule expectations. Feasibility Studies are conducted to confirm that project success is achieveable or to redefine project objectives to make a modified outcome achievable. We provide Feasbilty and Due Dilligence Consulting Services to support our clients efforts in these areas.

Develop Contracting Strategy

Choosing the right Contracting Strategy is one of the most complex and important decisions you will make. CSRS offers guidance in this critical area to help you select a contracting strategy that fits your needs, positions you to obtain investment capital, incorporates your corporate risk tolerance, and supports your project objectives. In addition, we can assist you with EPC contractor selection. CSRS is not an EPC provider, so you can benefit from our position as an independent, impartial advisor with vast knowledge of the EPC industry and the most appropriate contracting models.

Governmental Liason and Advisory Services

We act as a conduit connecting developers, investors, partners, landowners, engineers, and constructors. Add in our Governmental Liason and Advisory Services, and you have a comprehensive collection of project stakeholders working together to advance your project objectives. By leveraging our established relationships, you greatly reduce the delays and headaches navigating the bureaucracy caused by contractual, regulatory, and compliance obstacles that arise when multiple groups have interest or influence in a project. We can also facilitate project financing by developing and assembling the necessary technical documentation in a data room for owner/investor discussions.

Owner's Engineer Support

Most owners & developers do not find it cost-effective to carry a robust full-time staff of engineering and management resources. With an average of over 36 years of project execution experience, our expert staff of multi-disciplinary engineers serves as an extension of your project and technical team when the need arises as your Owner's Engineer.

With a spirit of teamwork and collaboration, CSRS can develop and manage your owner’s scope of work and monitor the delivery of a quality engineering product from your EPC firm. We operate as one team, in a seamless partnership with you, to successfully execute your project vision. Let us fill your resource gap with our team of project and technical experts. We provide support by serving as your Concept-to-completion Owner's Engineer.

How We Empower Project Success

Front End Loading Development

It takes a great deal of know-how to transform your project concept into a defined scope of work. At this early stage, there are more questions than answers. With CSRS, our multi-disciplinary team collaborates with you, technology partners, and the EPC firm to develop the scope of work to maximize the use of investment capital. Our work will deliver a plan to reduce ambiguity and control project costs associated with ill-defined scopes or unmitigated project risks. The Front End Phases of the project will typically focus on conceptual design development and permit acquisition. CSRS can serve as your Owner's Engineer for the Design and Permitting Phase.

Monitoring of the EPC

We have built our careers in the world of multi-disciplinary engineering consulting and project execution. CSRS wants to bring this experience to your project to ensure that you’re getting the results you expect from your EPC. We are your eyes and ears, looking out for your interests throughout the entirety of the engineering design, orchestrating a seamless integration and optimization across the broader project landscape. We provide general and discipline-specific monitoring of the EPC for your project, and we participate in engineering design evaluations, model reviews, project status meetings, etc. Our Technical Project Oversight capabilities span all engineering disciplines, including Process, Mechanical, Piping, Civil/Structural, Electrical, and Controls/Instrumentation, with a focus on Pre-Construction Engineering Support.

Project Management

We act as an extension to your staff in providing resources needed for Project Management Oversight with available resources in Project Management, Procurement and Contracting, Project Controls, and Document Management.

Management of Owner’s Scope of Work

Certain scopes of work are better suited to be executed externally to the EPC firm. CSRS can manage these areas (Owner's Scope of Work) that include site selection, surveying, sitework design & engineering, environmental and site permitting, import/export facilities planning and infrastructure, power supply, pipeline interconnects, buildings, and utilities coordination.

Permitting/Permits

The acquisition of major permits is an important milestone in project development. Most project owners and investors are likely to attribute a lower degree of risk if major permits for the facility have been obtained or are very likely to be obtained.

These permits include the Title V Air Permit, the combined United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 10/404/408 Permits, the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System - NPDES (Water Discharge) Permit, and in some cases, the Solid Water Permit. CSRS has the experience and resources to both execute and manage all permits needed for project development and execution.

CSRS can collaborate with owners and technology providers in Permit Preparation and Submittal for your projects. We work with your team to integrate design data into permit submittals and leverage our experience and relationships with reviewing agencies to acquire approvals expeditiously. We can provide Permit Management on behalf of owners, covering both those required by the Owner and those required by third parties.

How We Empower Project Success

Air Permit

Preparation of Title V Air Permit or Minor Source Permits, including data acquisition from the owner and technology providers, permit preparation and submittal, response to reviewing agency questions and requests for information, and participation in public review meetings.

USACE Permits

Preparation of USACE Section 404/408/10 permits, including data acquisition from the owner and technology providers, permit preparation and submittal, response to reviewing agency questions and requests for information, and participation in public review meetings. Section 404 submittals include acquisition of field surveys for wetlands and submittal to the USACE to acquire a Jurisdictional Determination for Wetlands. We will also conduct field surveys for Cultural Assessments and coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as required. We will coordinate and manage USACE-regulated designs for the Section 408 and Section 10 permit aspects, including dock and levee crossing design as well as coordination of Pre-Application meetings with both the USACE and River Pilots.

NPDES and LPDES (Water) Permits

Preparation of NPDES or LPDES permits, including data acquisition from the owner and technology providers, permit preparation and submittal, response to reviewing agency questions and requests for information and participate in public review meetings. This permit will cover the intake of water from a river or water wells and discharge of treated process effluent, stormwater effluent and treated sanitary sewer effluent. We will coordinate with technology providers, and third-party engineering firms as requied to incorporate treated process and sanitary sewer effluent data. We can provide site stormwater and drainage design and incorporate the results as required for the stormwater aspects of this permit.

Solid Waste Permits

Preparation of Solid Waste permits for facilities that will permanently store both hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste at the project site. Services include data acquisition from the owner and technology providers, permit preparation and submittal, response to reviewing agency questions and requests for information, and participation in public review meetings.

Permit Management

Many other permits will typically be required depending on the specific scope of work. We have resources to provide Permit Management, specifically permit specialists that manage and coordinate all permits needed for the projects, whether submitted by the owner or other third parties.

NEPA Studies

Environmental Assessments

Site Selection

At CSRS, we understand that the siting, permitting, and construction of a new industrial facility is a highly complex endeavor—one where every decision has long-term consequences on cost, timeline, and operational success. Our approach is grounded in deep technical expertise and strategic insight, with a team of over 200 professionals specialized in site selection, due diligence, permitting, engineering, owner’s representation, and project management. From identifying optimal industrial locations to guiding projects through regulatory hurdles and into execution, we provide a right-sized, multidisciplinary team tailored to the unique demands of each client and facility.

As a market leader in infrastructure and industrial development, our strength lies in our comprehensive, client-centered delivery model. We are not just site selectors—we are engineers, planners, architects, environmental experts, and strategic advisors with decades of experience in industrial project development. Whether managing the entire process or supporting specific phases, our team works collaboratively across offices and disciplines to turn complex visions into successful, buildable realities. Our proven track record spans sectors including petrochemical, manufacturing, clean energy, advanced materials, renewables, battery chemicals, and logistics, making CSRS a trusted partner for clients seeking high-performance solutions for large-scale site selection.

How We Empower Project Success

Site Strategy, Identification & Evaluation

The site selection process begins with comprehensive site identification and screening. This involves defining critical siting criteria such as required land size, access to transportation infrastructure such as marine, rail, or road, and environmental constraints. Advanced GIS-based suitability modeling is employed to evaluate physical overlays like flood zones, wetlands, rail and port access, deep draft channels, workforce availability, and utility infrastructure. Simultaneously, economic development organizations (EDOs) are engaged through a formal Request for Information (RFI) process to source viable sites. Both marketed and off-market properties are identified using proprietary tools and EDO databases, ensuring a broad and competitive pool of candidate sites. Once potential sites are surfaced, location benchmarking is conducted to compare different regions across a range of business factors. These include local business climate, utility costs, labor availability, and economic development incentives. In addition, strategic proximity to supply chains, ports, and customer markets is evaluated to align with operational logistics and distribution needs. To support informed decision-making, each site is scored and ranked using a site scoring matrix built around the project’s key success drivers. Critical site selection showstoppers—such as high mitigation costs for wetlands, lack of essential utility infrastructure, or long permitting lead times—are carefully evaluated to eliminate unsuitable options early and focus efforts on the most viable candidates.

Site Due Diligence & Entitlements

The due diligence phase of industrial site selection includes both desktop and field investigations to uncover potential risks and validate site readiness. This process typically begins with Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), followed by wetlands delineation, floodplain analysis, soil bearing studies, and cultural or historic site reviews. Preliminary geotechnical investigations provide subsurface insight, while assessments of adjacent land use, zoning, and title encumbrances ensure regulatory and physical compatibility. A critical component is infrastructure and utility analysis, which evaluates access to and capacity of electricity (including high-voltage substations), natural gas, process water, sewer and wastewater, and telecommunications infrastructure. Where deficiencies exist, we estimate the cost and feasibility of extending infrastructure to the site. We also develop a comprehensive permitting strategy, creating a matrix of all necessary air, water, wetland, and land disturbance permits. Early engagement with regulatory authorities like USACE, DEQ, EPA, and DNR helps secure critical approvals—including Section 404/10/408, LPDES, and NEPA compliance—on schedule. Simultaneously, we coordinate with local and state agencies to pursue and negotiate tax incentive packages, aligning project metrics with workforce, investment, and economic development priorities.

Execution, Planning & Project Launch

As the process advances, site planning and conceptual design activities begin to define the physical layout of the facility. This includes developing site access, building footprints, truck and rail logistics, and utility corridors. Topographic modeling, cut-and-fill analysis, and traffic impact studies ensure the site plan is both efficient and constructible. In this stage, CSRS serves as the owner’s engineer and program manager, liaising with EPCs, contractors, and permitting authorities. We track performance through FEL 1, FEL 2, FEL 3, and FEED milestones, while managing procurement, change orders, and compliance documentation to keep projects on budget and on track. Our team supports the transition to engineering and construction by delivering a complete site and permitting package to the engineering team. We assist in negotiating EPC contracts, overseeing final utility coordination, right-of-way acquisition, and contractor mobilization, ensuring the site is ready for seamless project execution.

Additional Site Selection Services

Beyond core services, CSRS offers advanced support to further optimize siting decisions and mitigate risks. Our labor market analysis examines workforce availability, local training institutions, and wage benchmarks to ensure long-term operational sustainability. We also lead community engagement efforts, including public hearing strategy and stakeholder messaging to secure local support. To aid executive decision-making, our CAPEX/OPEX modeling compares life-cycle costs across finalist sites, offering a comprehensive view of ownership expenses. And post-selection, we remain engaged to assist with incentive compliance, permit renewals, and annual regulatory reporting, ensuring the project remains aligned with long-term objectives.

Project Execution Services

At CSRS, our Project Execution Services stand at the forefront of ensuring your project’s success by monitoring project cost, change, schedule, reporting, and information flow.

These critical services support your project team with essential project information to safeguard against project mismanagement, thus securing your investment and project objectives. In addition to Project Controls, we also have Procurement & Document Control professionals who can guide and support you with optimized support as needed. The application of our Project Execution expertise allows us to lead our clients through the complicated EPC process with a shared goal of achieving your project objectives.

How We Empower Project Success

Cost Control

You need to know if your EPC project is being run effectively and within budget. As your trusted advisor, we provide objective and unbiased feedback on the health of your project. This critical information allows you to identify cost overruns and implement timely corrective action before permanent damage to your project is done.

Change Management

Early on, it is essential for a project to remain adaptable and responsive to evolving needs and circumstances. However, this inevitable change can be difficult to manage and can spiral out of control. It is paramount to maintain the integrity of the scope through proper evaluation of contingencies and implementation of change with minimal impact to the project. CSRS is very experienced with change management and understands that scope control, transparent communication, and proper documentation are hallmarks of a well-run change management program.

Schedule Development

We play a key role in the development of your project schedule. From planning & optimizing to tracking & reporting, we know that a well-kept schedule is important to you. In addition to EPC accountability, our monitoring of the master project schedule also includes active management of critical path activities to identify and mitigate potential construction delays.

Procurement

In most cases, your EPC will manage the procurement for most of the project. However, there may be some key purchases or long-lead items that need to be procured by the owner. With comprehensive procurement capabilities, we can optimize our services to provide as little or as much procurement support as your project requires. From qualifying and screening potential vendors to leading the entire requisitioning process from start to finish, we can develop a procurement strategy that fits your needs and aligns with your project scope, schedule, and budget.

Document Control

Whether it’s vendor drawings or engineering deliverables, we can help manage the input and maintenance of project data. We can also help you establish document numbering systems as well as implement document storage and transmittal protocols to suit your project’s needs. We can help you ensure that the flow of project documentation is effortless and that all documents are organized, accessible, and properly versioned.

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Andy Farris, Jr., PE

Andy Farris, a distinguished civil engineer and executive leader, boasts over 40 years of experience in the engineering and construction sectors. As an alumnus of Louisiana State University, he holds a professional Civil Engineering license and demonstrates a consistent ability to manage and expand thriving organizations.

Andy utilizes his comprehensive technical expertise and exceptional communication abilities to elevate the company's client projects. Before joining CSRS, a Westwood company, Andy held key roles at several engineering consulting companies where he adeptly managed company acquisitions, fostered market and financial stability, and supervised engineering operations. Under his direction, he was able to transform one firm’s operations in Baton Rouge from a modest 4-person startup to a robust, full-service organization employing over 200 professionals.

Earlier in his career, Andy fulfilled the role of General Manager at another Baton Rouge firm where he oversaw all business operations encompassing profit and loss, human resources, and marketing. His leadership resulted in a significant increase in the Louisiana Division's annual revenues and a substantial reduction in the engineering error rate.

Andy's remarkable leadership abilities and extensive experience make him an invaluable asset to our team, and the clients they proudly serve.

Industrial

Advancing success through strategic support

Related Markets & Services

Early Project Planning and Consulting

Even in the best-case scenarios, the maze of complex and interrelated tasks required to take a project from concept to start-up can seem overwhelming. At CSRS, we are your strategically, looking out for your best interests when you need it most.​​​​

How We Empower Project Success

Project Development

Site Selection

Project Incentives

Project Planning

Feasibility and Due Diligence

Develop Contracting Strategy

Governmental Liason and Advisory Services

Front End Loading Development

Monitoring of the EPC

Project Management

Management of Owner’s Scope of Work

Air Permit

USACE Permits

NPDES and LPDES (Water) Permits

Solid Waste Permits

Permit Management

NEPA Studies

Environmental Assessments

Site Strategy, Identification & Evaluation

Site Due Diligence & Entitlements

Execution, Planning & Project Launch

Additional Site Selection Services

Cost Control

Change Management

Schedule Development

Procurement

Document Control

Featured Work

Partner with Us

Andy Farris, Jr., PE

Even in the best-case scenarios, the maze of complex and interrelated tasks required to take a project from concept to start-up can seem overwhelming. At CSRS, we are your strategically, looking out for your best interests when you need it most.