process design Engineering and project management Solutions
Commitment to Excellence for the Food and Beverage Industry
process design Engineering and project management Solutions
Commitment to Excellence for the Food and Beverage Industry
david m hepworth jr p.e. - hepworth engineering process, inc
Expertise in Process
I began my career in the food and beverage industry in the early 2000s, working alongside my father and brother as a helper. Over time, I advanced through the trades—becoming a sanitary welder, pipe fitter, foreman, and installation supervisor. This hands-on foundation gave me the practical insight to later succeed as a process engineer and project manager. In 2012, I earned my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and transitioned into engineering and project management roles.
By 2021, I founded a Professional Engineering and General Engineering Contracting firm to bring together this combined technical and practical expertise.
Today, we specialize in process design and project management for the food and beverage industry, ensuring every project is delivered with efficiency, precision, and full compliance with industry standards. We design and manage systems for a wide range of products, including juice concentrates, tomato paste, chocolate, beer, wine, water, and everything in between. Our focus is on helping clients achieve safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Our firm now serves clients throughout California, across the United States, and in Mexico.
Our Project design and management approach
Every project begins with listening to our customers to fully understand their requirements, goals, budget and concerns. This foundation ensures the solutions we develop are aligned with operational needs, regulatory standards, and long-term business objectives.
From there, we move through a structured design process as outlined above.
By following this proven approach, we deliver designs that are technically sound, compliant, and tailored to each customer’s operation — on time and on budget!
Process design Engineering
After understanding the customer's requirements, HEP develops the design in stages with frequent check-ins and meetings with the customer to make sure the design meets their requirements.
Conceptual Design – We create a process flow diagram (PFD) that outlines the overall system concept. This step defines critical process steps, utilities, and equipment at a high level, providing clarity for decision-making early in the project.
Preliminary Design (Issued for Approval, IFA) – Building on the conceptual framework, we develop preliminary layouts, specifications, and process details. This stage gives our clients a clear view of system performance, space requirements, and budget alignment before moving forward.
Mass & Energy Balance – We develop detailed mass and energy balances to confirm material flows, heat loads, and utility demands across the system. This step ensures the process is both technically sound and economically viable, while providing the foundation for accurate equipment sizing, heat exchanger design, and utility distribution planning. By modeling product and utility interactions, we help clients understand system efficiency and identify opportunities for optimization early in the design.
Equipment Modeling & Design Calculations – Using advanced engineering tools, we model system performance and complete detailed design calculations for critical process parameters. This ensures proper equipment sizing, optimized energy and utility use, and reliable operation. We evaluate multiple options to select the most suitable pumps, heat exchangers, valves, and other equipment for the application.
Issue for Bid (IFB) – With equipment sizing and specifications defined, we prepare a bid package that includes drawings, equipment data sheets, and scope documents. This allows contractors and vendors to provide accurate and competitive proposals based on a consistent set of requirements.
Final Design (Issued for Construction, IFC) – We translate the approved design into a complete, detailed package ready for construction. This includes finalized piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment specifications, and construction-ready drawings to ensure smooth project execution.
Startup & Commissioning – Our role continues through system startup and commissioning. We provide on-site support to verify equipment installation, perform functional testing, and assist with commissioning protocols. This ensures systems operate safely, reliably, and in compliance with process requirements from day one.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Successful projects require more than good design — they demand effective planning, coordination, and oversight. Our project management services ensure that each phase of your project is executed smoothly, on time, and within budget.
We approach project management through a structured framework:
- Development of Scope of Work (SOW) – We begin by clearly defining the project scope, objectives, and deliverables. This ensures alignment between all stakeholders and provides a roadmap for design, procurement, and construction.
- Development of Bid Packages – Based on the defined scope, we prepare comprehensive bid packages that include detailed drawings, specifications, and scope documents. These packages ensure contractors receive consistent information, leading to accurate and competitive proposals.
- Bid Review & Contractor Selection – We assist clients in reviewing contractor proposals, evaluating both technical compliance and cost-effectiveness. Our experience allows us to identify qualified contractors and recommend the best fit for the project’s requirements.
- Construction Project Management – Once construction begins, we provide on-site project management and oversight. This includes coordinating contractors, tracking schedules and budgets, managing change orders, and ensuring work is completed to specification. We also lead punch list development and project close-out to verify successful completion.
- Commissioning & Validation Tools (IQ/OQ/PQ/MQ) – To support startup and regulatory compliance, we develop commissioning and validation protocols tailored to your system. This includes Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), Performance Qualification (PQ), and Manufacturing Qualification (MQ). These tools ensure that systems not only start up correctly but also continue to operate reliably and in compliance with food and beverage standards.
Through this approach, we help clients reduce risk, control costs, and ensure projects are delivered efficiently — from scope definition to construction close-out and full validation.
PROCESS DESIGN expertise
HYGIENIC SANITARY DESIGN
HYGIENIC SANITARY DESIGN
HYGIENIC SANITARY DESIGN
We specialize in designing food and beverage systems that meet the highest hygienic and sanitary standards. Our approach emphasizes cleanability, regulatory compliance, and long-term system reliability. Each design is carefully developed to reduce contamination risks, improve product safety, and simplify routine cleaning and maintenance,
We specialize in designing food and beverage systems that meet the highest hygienic and sanitary standards. Our approach emphasizes cleanability, regulatory compliance, and long-term system reliability. Each design is carefully developed to reduce contamination risks, improve product safety, and simplify routine cleaning and maintenance, ensuring that facilities operate efficiently and remain audit-ready.
Our expertise includes:
- Process piping and equipment layouts designed for accessibility, streamlined flow paths, and ease of cleaning
- Material selection and weld quality to meet 3-A, FDA, and other industry standards for food safety
- Drainability and slope design that eliminates product hold-up, improves cleaning, and reduces downtime
- Integration with CIP systems to ensure seamless, effective, and repeatable sanitation
- Risk reduction strategies that minimize exposure to contamination points and improve overall plant safety
- Hold tube calculations and process authority letters to confirm regulatory compliance with 3-A and FDA standards
By combining industry best practices with engineering precision, we deliver hygienic and sanitary designs that are safe, efficient, and built to last.
UTILITY SYSTEMS
HYGIENIC SANITARY DESIGN
HYGIENIC SANITARY DESIGN
Reliable utility systems are the backbone of every successful food and beverage facility. We design and integrate systems that not only support production but also improve energy efficiency, reliability, and operating costs. Each design is tailored to meet the needs of both new installations and facility upgrades, with a focus on long-ter
Reliable utility systems are the backbone of every successful food and beverage facility. We design and integrate systems that not only support production but also improve energy efficiency, reliability, and operating costs. Each design is tailored to meet the needs of both new installations and facility upgrades, with a focus on long-term performance and sustainability.
Our utility design services include:
- Steam and condensate systems for heating, sterilization, and energy recovery
- Glycol chilling and cooling water systems for precise, dependable temperature control
- Compressed air, nitrogen, and CO₂ systems engineered for efficiency, reliability, and sanitary use
- Process and potable water distribution designed for consistent supply, quality, and regulatory compliance
- CIP and sanitation utilities to ensure effective, repeatable cleaning cycles that minimize downtime
- Energy-efficient system design to reduce costs, improve sustainability, and limit environmental impact
Every utility system is engineered for seamless integration, ease of maintenance, and long-term reliability, keeping operations running smoothly and ensuring facilities stay competitive.
PROCESS MODELING
HYGIENIC SANITARY DESIGN
PROCESS MODELING
Accurate equipment sizing is critical to achieving performance, efficiency, and compliance. We use AFT Fathom hydraulic modeling software to create detailed process simulations that validate system design against customer requirements and real-world operating conditions.
Our modeling approach allows us to:
- Piping Systems – optimize flow pat
Accurate equipment sizing is critical to achieving performance, efficiency, and compliance. We use AFT Fathom hydraulic modeling software to create detailed process simulations that validate system design against customer requirements and real-world operating conditions.
Our modeling approach allows us to:
- Piping Systems – optimize flow paths, minimize pressure loss, and verify proper line sizing
- Pumps – properly size centrifugal, lobe positive displacement, and twin screw pumps for stable, efficient performance
- Tanks – confirm storage capacity, surge handling, and seamless process integration
- Valves – select and size shutoff, divert, and control valves for reliable operation and control response
- System Response – simulate startup, shutdown, and upset conditions to confirm reliability and safety
- Fluid Behavior – model both Newtonian fluids (e.g., water, milk, sugar solutions) and non-Newtonian fluids (e.g., fruit juice concentrate, chocolate, tomato paste) to ensure accurate predictions across a wide range of applications
By modeling system performance before fabrication or installation, we help clients avoid costly sizing errors, reduce commissioning risks, and ensure every system is engineered for safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation from day one.