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MTE Consultants Acquires RIZZ Engineering, Strengthening Expertise in Structural Design and Precast Concrete

Trillium Hatchery
Industrial & Manufacturing

Trillium Hatchery

Project overview

Trillium Hatchery’s vision to build a chick hatchery in Stratford led to the development of a 70,000-ft² facility located in the Wright Business Park. MTE was retained to provide engineering support throughout the entire development lifecycle—from preliminary site assessments and design through to construction oversight and final approvals.

The facility incorporates HatchCare technology, aimed at improving both animal welfare and operational efficiency during the hatching process. Now fully operational, the hatchery employs approximately 20 people and hatches 20 million chicks annually, strengthening its role in the region’s agri-food sector.

MTE's Involvement

MTE played a central role in the successful execution of this project by delivering multi-disciplinary engineering services and acting as a liaison between the project team and municipal authorities. Our work began with a topographical and boundary survey of the 5.9-acre site, which had formerly been used for agricultural purposes. We developed a preliminary site plan that aligned with the City of Stratford’s zoning by-law and facilitated a consultation meeting with municipal staff to clarify approval requirements and address potential site constraints. Our civil engineering team then prepared the grading, servicing, and stormwater management designs required for Site Plan Approval, and submitted them to the appropriate City departments for final review. Leveraging our familiarity with the local planning process, we successfully eliminated the need for major variances and helped expedite municipal approvals.

In parallel, our environmental team conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, which included interviews, site inspections, and a thorough review of historical records. No environmental concerns were identified, and further investigation was not required. MTE’s structural engineering team led the design and coordination of the structural elements of the facility. We worked closely with the pre-engineered building designer to develop foundation and framing solutions that supported the architectural intent and accommodated the hatchery’s specialized equipment. This included collaborating with the owner and equipment suppliers to finalize the layout of the interior spaces. Our team also managed coordination with mechanical and electrical engineering consultants, ensuring that their designs were seamlessly integrated and that all components met Ontario Building Code requirements.

Throughout construction, MTE provided contract administration and ongoing site inspections to ensure that all work was completed in accordance with approved plans and specifications. From concept to completion, MTE played an integral role in delivering a modern facility that reflects both innovation in agriculture and strong collaboration between owner, consultants, and municipal stakeholders.