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A large group of construction workers, including Industrial Electricians in safety vests and helmets, gather near a tent and vehicles at a construction site with steel framework and a crane under a cloudy sky.

Project Update: Powering One of the Region’s Largest Distribution Center Expansions 

Knobelsdorff (KE) crews are driving the electrical construction on one of the largest distribution center expansions in the Upper Midwest. Located in Mankato, MN for one of the largest retail and e-commerce companies in the United States, this 660,000 SF expansion spans more than 150 acres and will more than double the size of the distribution facility. KE is working alongside a construction partner and an additional electrical partner, coordinating closely to keep the schedule moving and the work aligned across all fronts. 

This is a high-volume, fast-paced build with a lot of moving parts, on which the team continues to deliver steady, reliable progress. 

Knobelsdorff Electrical Construction Scope at a Glance 

Across the 150+ acre campus, KE is delivering the major electrical systems and infrastructure powering the expansion, including: 

  • 17 medium-voltage vaults and 14 transformers 
  • 18+ miles of 5” conduit 
  • 74+ miles of medium-voltage cable 
  • 170 docking stations with 135 powered pedestals 
  • 71 site lighting poles and 210 fixtures 

Combined with our partners, more than 185,000 labor hours have gone into the project so far. 

Project Momentum and Electrical Infrastructure Progress

To date, electrical construction on the Mankato Distribution Center expansion is approximately 70 percent complete. Recent milestones include: 

  • Completion of the full underground duct bank 
  • Turnover of two interior zones 
  • Medium-voltage cable installation is underway as part of the core electrical infrastructure
  • Continued progress on reefer power and site lighting 

Field teams are aligning work with both partners to maintain sequencing, eliminate obstacles, and keep production steady. Our field teams have delivered this progress with zero safety incidents and no lost time. 

Delivering at Scale 

This project shows what KE delivers on high-volume, high-pressure electrical construction builds: disciplined field leadership, accurate installation, and coordinated planning across multiple work fronts. The crews on site are moving a complex project with steady communication and consistent performance. This level of execution reflects the standard KE teams bring across our divisions and reinforces our ability to deliver large-scale electrical infrastructure with confidence. 

Looking Ahead

The Mankato Distribution Center expansion is an ongoing, multi-phase electrical construction effort. Stay tuned! We’ll continue to share updates as our team reaches new milestones and moves the project toward completion.