To better serve its customers, Apollo maintains three warehouse and showroom/design-center facilities, including its original facility on Apollo Parkway in Willoughby, Ohio. In 2019, the company opened a second location in Cleveland proper, a 55,000-square-foot property under one roof, and in 2023, a third facility in Akron, which includes two warehouses totaling 65,000 square feet on a seven-acre property.

We recently enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation with the founder, owner, and company President, Jerry Bednarcik, who has 40 years of industry experience, and his son, Gerry Bednarcik, Operations, who joined the company five years ago from a Fortune 500 roofing company. Daughter Avalon, who works in sales, logistics and management, has been at Apollo over eight years.

Say hello to the Window Man
“I’ve been in the industry since 1985, so I have an extensive background of exterior building product knowledge and installation expertise,” Jerry says. “I’m still very much hands-on and I’ll do product demos for contractors and work through anything they need help with. Customers call me ‘Jerry the Window Man’ and say, ‘Go ask Jerry, he knows!’”

Just before our interview, he was helping young salesmen working for a contractor measure a house for siding. “They had been using roof and siding scopes and would have to go back to their office to work out an estimate, but I showed them—while walking around the building twice—how they could give the homeowner a price right then and there. They said they hadn’t realized how easy it was, using basic math skills. Next, I’m going to help a contractor figure out how to sell based on the client’s needs.”

Adds Gerry, “It’s about supporting the customer, being their champion, going out in the field, and educating a sales team like my dad did today. And we do this in-house for our staff too; we host internal trainings to make sure our staff is up to date on all the products we offer. We also do customer-facing events every year so they’re aware of what’s new in the market—be it product update trainings or certification courses—because if they know more, they can sell more and support their business growth,” he explains.

“We’re taking our one-stop shop to the next level. For contractors who want their business to grow, we’ll give them the tips and tricks they need to be successful.”

The full envelope
According to Gerry, Apollo’s portfolio of products—which includes windows, siding, roofing, doors, and more—is the most expansive in the region. Some distributors, he says, stock one line of siding or offer limited colors of shingles, for example, which results in delays. That is far from the case at Apollo. The company stocks four lines of siding in the full color offering, carries all lines of asphalt roofing shingles, and works with more than a dozen window and door manufacturers regularly. The team operates under the motto, “We have what you need, when you need it.”

The company is prepared to service a full range of needs—whether contractors are looking for cost and efficiency or to meet the latest ENERGY STAR requirements—with offerings such as foam backed or composite siding, reinforced thermally broken triple pane windows, and cool-roof reflective shingles, to name a few.

“If a builder wants a high-efficiency net zero home, we can accommodate them, and if they say, ‘I need to get this job done as fast as possible,’ we can help with that too. Our knowledge, service, and attention to detail help us navigate the product portfolio and assist customers in a meaningful way.”

Logistics and same-day delivery
It’s one thing to have a large product inventory from leading brands and the requisite knowledge about those products, and another thing entirely to get those materials delivered on time. Here again, Apollo excels.

The company maintains a fleet of over 30 delivery vehicles on the road daily, and also invests in specialty equipment including mounted tow motors referred to as a Moffit or Piggyback—a three-wheel all-terrain vehicle that detaches from a flatbed on arrival at a construction site, unloads the materials, and moves the material to wherever it is needed on site.

“Another vehicle type we have is a boom truck or conveyor vehicle or what I call a ‘laddervator,’ with a range of 28 to 36 feet. It’s mounted on a flatbed vehicle and once that truck is planted, the driver can pivot around and shoot the roofing material up to the crew in the quantity they need, exactly where they need it,” says Gerry.

The delivery crew will also hand-drop siding materials exactly where required. Some companies will drop a pallet on the curb, but Apollo will place it according to the customer’s specifications.

Serving the customer is always top of mind, Gerry adds. “If you’re focused on problems, anyone always find them, but here we focus on solutions. I like to say, ‘The answer is yes; what’s the question?”

To help customers, Apollo is open six days a week, “and I have even opened on a Sunday to get a contractor that last bundle of shingles. Our entire organization from sales to delivery has the same mindset: ‘Let’s make sure the customer is taken care of.’”

Digital systems for people and performance
When Gerry returned to the company five years ago, he developed a multiphase long-term plan. The first phase began with redesigning the company’s website, making it attractive and customer-friendly, and building up back-end capabilities so it could move into the second phase. This involved updating the company’s internal processing system, including accounts receivable and accounts payable, by utilizing an improved enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

“Now that our process and network are stable and humming along efficiently, in phase three, we’re going to implement a back-end portal that will let our customers sign on at any hour—they can see their invoices, submit for rebates, pay their bills, look at delivery status, and have a myriad of updates and resources at their fingertips. We’ll be able to service them to an even higher degree than we have before,” Gerry explains.

“I knew this was going to be challenging, and it was a bit like our Apollo space mission,” he says, laughing. “We want to make our service out of this world and, once fine-tuned, we can communicate more efficiently with our customers, market our products more effectively, and let our staff focus more on customers instead of all the other tasks they used to get bombarded with.”

Building community
Treating customers like family extends to the company’s annual fish fry, with fishing boats hired to take customers out on Lake Erie in teams to catch walleye tournament-style. “While this is going on we have live music on shore and a whole array of entertainment along with a fresh fish fry and other food—smoked meats, chicken tenders, cheeseburgers. It’s a two-day event and it helps build camaraderie and a sense of family and helps show our appreciation of our customers.”

Part of the fun at the event involves caricature drawings of Jerry. One year it was Jerry holding a trident with a roofing shingle impaled upon it; last year Jerry appeared as a surfer, riding a window on the waves into shore. “Unlike the national competitors, we live in this community, and when customers buy products from us, they recognize us at the grocery store or the bank, and from their kids playing on the same baseball teams as ours. We live here and we care,” says Gerry.

And caring for the community goes beyond caring for customers, extending to charitable organizations, with Apollo participating in building projects for Habit for Humanity and Home for the Holidays, an initiative of the local chapter of the Home Builders Association; the team also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude’s Hospital. “We’re a big advocate of supporting all the people around us.”

Fast tracking to the future
Apollo Supply Company was ranked as 2020’s Fast Track 50 No. 1 winner, in the Established Business Class, by virtue of having reported sales of at least $4 million in the years between 2016 and 2020, and has consistently placed in the top five since in the Fast Track 50 organization’s listing, which honors business excellence among the fastest growing businesses in the region.

At the time of writing, it looks now as if opening a fourth location at an undisclosed location within the region will happen sometime in 2025. Would the company ever consider expanding outside the state, we ask? The Bednarciks aren’t ruling out the possibility. “With our 20 percent growth factor, we are definitely on the path to grow our business dynamically over the next few years,” says Jerry. “We’re focused on controlled growth because we want to make that growth reproducible; we want to maintain our customer-centric culture and our family values, and still grow efficiently.”

Indeed, Apollo Supply Company’s journey from a single facility in Willoughby to a regional powerhouse exemplifies the enduring impact of customer-centric values, community engagement, and innovative growth strategies. With a deep commitment to supporting contractors, building lasting relationships, and delivering unmatched service, the company has carved out a unique niche in the exterior building products industry. As Apollo prepares for its next chapter, including expansion and cutting-edge customer solutions, one thing remains clear: this family-owned business is not just about building homes—it’s about building trust, community, and a legacy that continues to inspire.

The post Building Excellence, One Customer at a Time<p class="company">Apollo Supply Company</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

While the construction industry hasn’t always been welcoming to the idea of going green by adopting new building materials and procedures, today it is a much more accepted and common practice, as both business owners and homeowners alike are actively searching for sustainable solutions. Additionally, with net zero goals being put in place by both the Canadian and American governments, the time to make those changes is now. In fact, the Canadian government has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, codified in law by the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which went into effect in June 2021. As the government strives to meet its goals, the Act guarantees accountability and transparency, mandating that the Government of Canada’s activities be guided by independent counsel and public participation.

The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan builds on the initiatives in Canada’s strengthened climate plan and the Pan-Canadian Framework, incorporating feedback from Indigenous Peoples, provinces, territories, the Net-Zero Advisory Body, and interested Canadians regarding what is required to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of reducing emissions by 40 to 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

In order to assist Canada in its goal to reach net zero emissions, the private sector is crucial. To that end, the Net-Zero Challenge was started by the Canadian government to incentivize companies doing business in Canada to create and carry out reliable and efficient plans to convert their operations and facilities to net zero emissions by 2050. The private sector has responded impressively so far, with participating businesses of all sizes from a wide range of industries, including construction, heavy industry, energy, transportation, information technology, retail, and more. In addition to encouraging innovation, exhibiting corporate responsibility, and guaranteeing their long-term competitiveness in a decarbonizing global economy, companies are acting today to protect Canada’s environment for everyone’s future.

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association itself has recognized the importance of this initiative, launching several programs to help with net zero projects. Its CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program gives customers and the industry rigorous, well-defined, two-tiered technical criteria identifying builders and renovators that provide net zero and net zero ready homes, labelling hundreds of properties across the country. In order to create homes that are reasonably priced, replicable, and aesthetically pleasing to Canadians, the CHBA Net Zero program is developing methods, technologies, and solutions for constructing net zero energy ready and net zero energy multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) in partnership with Natural Resources Canada.

Energy-efficient goods and materials, best practices in building science, and efficient financing mechanisms are all necessary for the successful completion of affordable and cost-effective net zero/ready renovations, and the CHBA is accepting applications for a Net Zero Reno Pilot to assist industry in achieving this goal.

The United States, as well, is on board with striving for net zero, with the government’s definition of net zero buildings being finalized by the U.S. Department of Energy as of June 6, 2024.

Since buildings account for a third of emissions in the U.S. and up to 75 percent of emissions in metropolitan areas, local, state, and federal governments typically include a target for building emissions when defining climate goals. The strictness of regulations, such as energy codes and other policies like Building Performance Standards (BPS), varies greatly between jurisdictions. Jurisdictional regulations can be brought into alignment and gradually moved toward the same goals with the support of a single federal net zero definition that establishes an end goal and minimum efficiency standards for both new and existing buildings.

When it comes to existing buildings, retrofits for properties that currently use fossil fuel systems are frequently more complicated than simply replacing one piece of equipment with another, meaning it might be necessary to replace the entire system and upgrade or replace the expensive and intrusive infrastructure, including the power supply, ducting, and pipes. A clear objective that addresses several building system components, such as fuel consumption and direct and indirect efficiency, will serve as a guide for long-term capital planning.

An ambitious roadmap to reach the goal of net zero emissions buildings by 2045 is outlined in President Biden’s Executive Order 14057 on catalyzing American clean energy industries and jobs through Federal sustainability and the accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan. In order to electrify systems, minimize energy and water usage, and cut waste, the Federal Government will work on new building construction, major renovations, and existing property. Based on the nature of the agency’s building portfolio and leading performance benchmarks for building type categories, federal agencies will establish aggressive, data-driven 2030 goals and yearly targets for energy and water savings. The Federal Government will also employ performance contracting as part of its approach to save money while modernizing facilities, lowering emissions, and increasing efficiency.

It’s an ambitious undertaking, and one with rules and guidelines that change rapidly, so it’s important for builders to stay on top of what’s being mandated, pivoting and adjusting to ideas as they’re incorporated into building codes and best practices.

Indeed, many people who operate in the field are finding it difficult to keep up with the quick changes in the landscape, according to Building Excellence. In order to satisfy new demands, builders are also looking to manufacturers to innovate and provide affordable, user-friendly solutions. And the modifications must be understood by municipalities and their inspectors, who must in turn apply and examine them consistently.

CHBA is working at several levels to overcome these challenges and assist builders in navigating the developing science by carrying on with the crucial work on proposed codes and standards, ensuring they’re feasible and economical, and by adding new voluntary guidelines on emissions and resilience to the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program.

Although energy efficiency has been the driving force behind many recent code modifications, Canadian builders have historically aimed to provide the highest-quality homes. The creation of CHBA’s Net Zero Council in 2014 was spurred by members who were enthusiastic about developing new ways to voluntarily supply higher performance homes, and supporting members who voluntarily pursue net zero energy performance was—and continues to be—its goal. Members of the Council learn from one another and give their companies a competitive edge by sharing innovations, new building techniques, and lessons learned.

Creating the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program, which was piloted in 2015, was one of the Council’s main projects, and since then, almost 2,000 residences—including newly constructed attached and detached single-family homes, multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), and renovation projects—have received labels. In order to acknowledge net zero and net zero ready homes, as well as the builders and renovators who deliver them, the program offers the industry and consumers strict, well-defined, technical requirements.

Since technology and the industry as a whole still have a way to go before they can build high-performance homes without negatively impacting housing affordability, CHBA continues to stress in its advocacy to the federal government that building to net zero performance standards should remain voluntary. Nonetheless, the codes’ energy efficiency criteria are becoming increasingly rigorous; by 2030, the national model code is anticipated to reach net zero ready performance levels.

It may seem a daunting task, but it is a necessary one nonetheless. Whether through the use of low embodied-carbon materials, highly efficient building envelopes with superior insulation, optimized HVAC systems, integration of renewable energy sources such as solar panels, smart building controls, advanced lighting systems, or a focus on minimizing energy consumption through design strategies like passive solar heating and natural ventilation, these are all potential, practical, and vital solutions for reaching the net zero goals set out by governments across the continent and beyond.

The post Ground Zero for Net Zero<p class="company">Governments Get Serious About Climate Change</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

As we all learned from the Three Little Pigs, building homes from sticks and straw without a team of professional engineers around to help find ways of making it last may be fun for a little while, but bricks still appear to better outlast the heavier onslaughts of nature in more straightforward design where extensive engineering is not an option. As creating sufficient housing has been a growing issue around the globe for decades, it is good to know that there are innovators out there looking to respond to the bigger picture with actionable plans that offer solutions to more issues than just putting roofs over populations’ heads.

A paper by Chrysanthos Maraveas published by the United States National Library of Medicine cites the world’s population in 2019 at 7.7 billion humans, predicted to increase by around 2 billion by 2050. With the heavy carbon dioxide and temperature load that cement fabrication add to already struggling ecological systems, housing and feeding 2 billion more people will significantly increase the pressure on existing systems even further.

While modern bricks contain similar ingredients as their ancient counterparts, they are much harder thanks to modern firing processes that, in tunnel kilns, are to be kept at a consistent temperature of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to standards published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This was not always the case, of course. Traditionally, raw, sun-dried adobe brick was one material humans used to construct the earliest iterations of the modern home. According to PNAS.org research, the Spanish term “adobe” was originally derived from the Egyptian word “thobe” describing sun-baked mud bricks.

“Thobe” is believed to have found its way into Arabic, becoming “attob,” which eventually gave birth to what the English-speaking world also now knows as “adobe.” Today, the word can refer to a variety of building materials depending on who one speaks to. In modern terms, “adobe” often refers to sun-dried bricks made from a clay and straw mixture.

But even without the inclusion of plant material, or tempering as it is better known, this ancient method has proven to stand the test of time. According to PNAS.org, the oldest surviving adobe brick construction in Northern Peru’s Andes region dates back more than 5,100 years. Originally, such bricks are postulated to have been hewn from sediments created by natural weather events like El Niño. But there are more places on Earth where ancient earthen bricks can still be found today. According to a paper by Danny Rosenthal et al, mud bricks as old as 7,200 years are still visible in the Jordan Valley.

While modern bricks are far stronger and last much longer, mining the materials is not the only challenge facing ecosystems in light of growing populations. Increased agricultural waste and the unique problems it poses also become an undeniable challenge for the environment. As such, the possibility of including such waste in building materials commercially on a global scale appears to have been around for decades, with scientists testing natural fibres and their viability for inclusion in this industry.

One engineer, however, has beaten many to the prize. Tarun Jami, an engineer from the Indian subcontinent—one of the world’s largest brick exporters—made headlines with an innovation in what his company calls bio-bricks. The product, fabricated by GreenJams in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on the country’s southeast coast, claims to be “the world’s first carbon-negative brick.” Containing low-carbon minerals that chemically bind refined plant matter to concrete, these engineered bricks are made from a high percentage of leftover plant matter gathered from harvested corn, rice, sugar cane, and other crops. They also contain metal slag and fly ash produced by mining processes.

GreenJams claims that these bricks have helped sequester around 130 tons of carbon dioxide over the past four years since the company’s inception as, according to the product’s developers, the mineral bonding process prevents CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere once it is captured in the Agrocrete^® building blocks. These greenhouse gases would otherwise have been released into Delhi’s already heavily polluted atmosphere when farmers set dried fields alight during the colder months in preparation for the next sowing season. (The resulting smog is such that it can be viewed from outer space according to one report by UrbanSkyPictures.) In addition, the bricks’ fire resistance is such that the company constructed a furnace from the product that lasted well over a year.

Its maker claims that Agrocrete^® prevents each home from releasing around eight kilograms of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually through optimized building performance alone. In addition, the company claims that the material sequesters 33 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square meter of built wall. Further positive attributes include being faster and cheaper to build with, as each brick matches the volume of around eight to nine standard bricks.

They are also comparatively light and easy to work with, and builders report that they need less mortar when building with Agrocrete^®. In addition, they claim premium insulation properties over ordinary bricks. Thanks to all these attributes, one news article by Better India from 2021 claimed that these bio-bricks can reduce building costs by as much as half. In the process, advocates of the product maintain that it also helps to reduce mining as it demands a lower ratio of virgin materials.

Products like Agrocrete^® therefore stand to contribute significantly to building better. In a paper shared on nature.com, G. Nakkeeran et al suggest that the reduction in carbon emissions through the production and adoption of bio-bricks in general can support the goals of the Paris Agreement, whereby international industry aims to prevent the escalation of global temperatures. The authors also point out that micro-aggregates of agricultural waste like peanut shells can be applied in many more building materials than just bricks. As such, the possibility exists for their use in insulation, cement, wall panels, and more.

Considering the urgency of keeping growing volumes of agricultural waste out of the atmosphere via natural decay and burning—while also keeping it out of landfills, which comes with its own challenges—concepts like GreenJams’ bio-bricks are viable possibilities as long as the science remains sturdy. Further considering that, at this stage, all its ingredients appear eco-friendly, the eventual product breakdown of GreenJams’ long-lasting bricks seems to be benign to the environment, unlike bricks aiming to help the environment while containing plastics. As these can potentially leach chemicals and micro-plastics into our natural environment, which does not yet consume plastic, mixtures like that of Agrocrete^® appear to make better long-term environmental sense.

While public and industry adoption outside of India at present remains slow, it will be interesting to see whether standards development for this technology gains traction in North America in the future. According to the World Economic Forum, India’s economic reliance on the natural environment comes to around one-third of its annual gross domestic product. Perhaps that calculation is a valid consideration when weighing the pros and cons of adopting an eco-brick industry closer to home. After all, the environmental challenges we face as a species affect the entire planet, therefore reducing the effects of agricultural waste and virgin materials mining in this way concerns—and can benefit—the construction industry the world over.

The post Sticks and Stones<p class="company">New Bones from Old Waste</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

“I had a 20-year career in technology with very large companies and startups, and launched MODUS to be more involved with something you can touch and feel,” says President and Managing Partner Ed Gorman. “Also, there’s so much opportunity to implement technology instead of building the same thing over and over again because it worked.”

This is an industry not particularly known for innovation, he adds. “We took the opportunity partly to differentiate ourselves, but also to take advantage of what we felt was a huge opportunity in the marketplace.”

This drive led to an intense focus on great locations alongside a push for modern design at a time when very few people were doing it. “It’s something very much sought after today,” Gorman adds. “Younger generations are interested in what we’re doing and very few companies are producing it. We felt there was an opportunity to provide something not in the mass market.”

However, MODUS didn’t blindly approach building with the notion of being as green as possible and then hoping to make money. “Everything was calculated out,” says Gorman. “We focused on the technology of lifestyle, the automation people are familiar with: doorbells, lights, thermostat, music—those things you think of as lifestyle controlled by the palm of your hand.”

But, he adds, the other part of technology are the aspects you don’t see. It’s building science, and it’s an area that was severely lacking when MODUS was founded. LED lighting is now becoming ubiquitous, but when MODUS started using it 20 years ago, it was hard to find the right LED lights, as well as other technologies that increase home performance.

That became MODUS’s focus—building the first LEED homes in Arizona, which also turned out to be the first LEED multi-family development in the country.

“The response we got was amazing,” Gorman says. “It was a small project, we had no PR team, and it ended up in 250 publications around the world. It was on major networks, the Katie Couric show, and Brian Williams’ show. That was us proving sustainability can be sexy and economically viable, and it’s what launched it for us.”

Unfortunately, the recession hit while the team was building, forcing MODUS to proceed very cautiously—but also resulting in an opportunity to retool and narrow the company’s focus.

“In doing that project, we found what people really wanted out of sustainability was what saved them money,” Gorman says. “We started focusing on that, and that’s when we switched to focusing on the Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR program.”

Everything built after that first project was built through the ENERGY STAR program, with the past 10 years embracing the Zero Energy Ready Home program (ZERH). That means that, where it makes sense, MODUS utilizes solar energy to produce additional revenue while residents receive an electric bill 50 to 70 percent lower than a standard-built home.

“Because of the performance on these properties, they end up selling for more or renting for more,” Gorman says. “We find we get premiums in every submarket we go into, and we attribute that to good locations, more advanced designs, and the technology in them.”

Additionally, the “build-to-rent” (BTR) approach provided an opportunity for MODUS to take its considerable knowledge and experience and leverage it to operate on a much larger scale, resulting in a pipeline of more than 1,000 BTR units around the Phoenix metropolitan area, all breaking ground over the next 24 months.

Part of the MODUS mission is also affordability, desperately needed during an ongoing, nation-wide housing crisis. “Typically, after school, people get their first job, move out of mom’s house into an apartment with the dream to buy a house,” Gorman says. “That’s when a house might have been three to five percent down, the mortgage was $100,000, and the interest rate was four or five percent.”

That’s no longer the case. “Today, a lot of the younger crowd is blocked out. But the dream is still having a home. They want to have a place that has no one living above them, below them, or next to them, and have a backyard. They just want their own space.”

This is where MODUS’s build-to-rent comes into play, for renters of necessity and renters of choice, such as a younger family who can’t afford a house but wants to be in one. They realize the many benefits of renting, including not having the burdens of owning a home and taking care of expensive maintenance. There is a backyard maintained by the community, a pool, and a barbecue, all supplied.

“Our amenity spaces rival any class A apartment building in town or an urban setting,” says Gorman. “People really like this lifestyle; it’s the best of both worlds. Rent is maybe five to 10, sometimes 20 percent higher than an apartment, but it’s certainly dramatically less than paying a mortgage, which is where the affordability comes in,” he says.

“As we expanded into build-to-rent in the suburbs, we focused on locations that already had infrastructure, typically on or near freeways and surrounded by retail,” Gorman says. “Most of our sites have a million square feet of retail near them or even next to them, and they have great job growth. We go where there are jobs, transportation, and retail in place.”

When designing BTR, MODUS takes every aspect in hand, utilizing AI for floor planning that is unique and embodies the feel of a single home rather than an apartment.

Modern design has also been one of the company’s priorities. “The architecture speaks for itself. We push modern inside and outside; people want modern. When we first started doing this 20 years ago, you could probably count how many modern projects there were in town. Now there are more and more, and we’re seeing it starting to push out to the suburbs. And our finishes are very modern; we don’t use traditional finishes. We still build to a similar budget as our competitors, but the esthetic style we go for is modern. And people like it. We rarely have somebody come in and say they don’t like modern. We’re offering that as our point of differentiation and it’s working very well,” Gorman says.

“We’re a leader not only in building out NZE communities, but also in building out communities that use solar energy, with most of our communities being solar-powered.” Challenges in that space include incentives that have decreased substantially compared to five years ago. But Gorman has also seen prices for solar inverters and batteries come down dramatically in the last five to 10 years, creating a better space for that opportunity.

“I think we’re going to hit a perfect storm in the sustainability realm,” he adds. “Solar makes sense when you’re offsetting a high cost of electricity, and electricity is continuing to rise at a rate we haven’t seen in years. These blackouts and storms are forcing utility companies to recoup that and raise rates. Now there’s talk of all data centers needing massive amounts of capacity for AI, and we don’t have it. So, when they go to build that out, that cost is going to get passed on. Having power is going to be a higher cost.”

Ultimately, it makes even more sense to use less power or add power generation to communities, says Gorman, who envisions more and more companies following this path in the future.

“If you’re offering up a program where you’re providing them a very low cost of power, why would somebody not want that opportunity? What we’ve also done in our sustainable elements—which I think has made us unique—is starting on a boutique scale and expanding, able to work through innovations to find the best things that work to hit our sustainability goals.”

To that end, MODUS’s Net Zero Energy Ready Homes are built for the exact same cost as competitors’ conventionally built homes, the reason being that MODUS designs its buildings that way from scratch. “We’ve had people have us look at their products and ask us to help make theirs net zero. When you look at it, a traditional-built building might just be too poorly designed to become energy-efficient, but there are elements they could incorporate, like orientation of the windows and positioning of the home.”

For instance, “better insulation reduces how much heating and cooling equipment we need,” says Gorman. “We save thousands of dollars on heating equipment because we spent a couple hundred dollars on spray foam insulation. We have to find ways to create more energy efficiency at a lower cost.”

Looking ahead, Gorman expects to put out NZE homes on a larger scale to communities across multiple states, with the ultimate vision of expanding nationally. Regardless, he remains excited about the many impressive accomplishments MODUS has earned, including the first LEED multi-family homes in the country, the first net-zero multi-family development in Arizona, and the first 100 percent net zero apartment building in the country.

“We continue to be an innovator,” he says. “We always push it, but with a 20-year track record, we’ve proven that innovation works for us. We’re really excited about those kinds of accomplishments and challenges.”

The post Best of Both Worlds: Net-Zero Innovation in Buying and Renting<p class="company">MODUS Companies</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

When Conrad Correa founded MAGNUS Construction, his goal was clear: to provide construction solutions that prioritize the well-being of those who live and work in the buildings. “We offer our customers the complete package—everything from insulation and vapor barriers to fireproofing, fire stopping, sound dampening, waterproofing, and hazardous material remediation,” explains Correa.

His emphasis on building science, energy efficiency, and high-quality materials is what has set MAGNUS apart from other construction firms. In an industry where cutting corners is all too common, Correa is committed to doing things the right way, even if it means a higher upfront investment.

One of the core principles at MAGNUS is the avoidance of “cheap” construction practices. “We get to see what happens when someone does a bad job,” Correa states, explaining that poor decisions regarding materials or installation methods can have long-lasting effects on the performance and safety of a building. “Unfortunately, it gives a bad name to the industry, but it’s not the industry itself; it’s the decision to go with cheaper, less stable solutions.” By prioritizing high-quality materials and experienced installers, MAGNUS ensures that every project meets the highest standards.

MAGNUS prides itself on using cutting-edge products, and one of the standout innovations in its portfolio is Elastochem’s Wrapsulate Foam Jacket. This all-in-one system provides continuous exterior insulation that incorporates air, thermal, vapor, and water control into a seamless barrier. It’s a game-changer for buildings that need to improve energy efficiency, minimize thermal bridging, and prevent moisture buildup. Correa emphasizes the importance of incorporating such innovative products early in the planning stages of a project. “It has to be considered at the drafting stage,” he says, “and that’s why we advise clients to consult us early; we can offer insights to maximize efficiency and avoid costly adjustments later.”

The company’s commitment to using superior materials extends beyond the initial installation. MAGNUS ensures that insulation is installed under optimal conditions, taking into account factors like substrate dryness, ambient conditions, and local temperature variations. These considerations are critical to ensuring that even the best materials perform as expected, no matter the climate or environmental conditions.

To be sure, MAGNUS Construction is more than just a construction company; it’s a team of experts who are committed to delivering top-tier service across all their specialized offerings. The company provides services ranging from insulation and drywall to hazardous material remediation and full restoration. Whether it’s dealing with complex asbestos abatement or fireproofing a commercial building, MAGNUS’s specialized teams are prepared to tackle every aspect of a project with precision and care.

“Our partnership with Elastochem allows us to deliver consistent, high-performing products,” says Correa. “With their solutions, like the Wrapsulate Foam Jacket, we’re able to tackle challenges like thermal bridging and moisture control, even in extreme climates like Saskatchewan.” These solutions not only improve the building’s energy efficiency but also ensure that the occupants’ comfort is maintained year-round.

By maintaining such a high level of specialization, MAGNUS distinguishes itself from competitors in the industry. While others may try to provide a broad range of services, MAGNUS focuses on doing everything to the highest standard, with an emphasis on creating tailored solutions for every project, no matter how complex or unique.

At the heart of the firm’s success is its dedication to developing a skilled and motivated workforce. Correa believes that the people behind the projects are just as important as the projects themselves. “Our goal is to develop better humans and team members,” he says. The company’s “M-powerment” Model offers a range of training opportunities for newcomers to the industry, including immigrants, students, and individuals transitioning into new careers. This model not only provides people with the skills they need but also fosters a culture of continuous education and accountability.

MAGNUS’s commitment to employee development has earned the company a number of prestigious awards, including the Sabex Business of the Year Award and the Employer of Choice Award from the Annual Diversity Awards. These accolades recognize the company’s inclusive workplace culture and the opportunities it provides for personal and professional growth. Indeed, MAGNUS fosters a supportive environment that allows employees to balance work and life responsibilities while continually advancing their skills.

The company has earned a reputation for excellence across a wide range of construction projects, including both residential and commercial sectors. By bridging the gap between these two markets, the team can offer unique solutions that are specifically tailored to the needs of each type of project. This innovative approach has resulted in MAGNUS becoming a trusted name in the industry, known for delivering high-quality, energy-efficient buildings that stand the test of time.

In regions like Saskatchewan, where temperatures can drop as low as -40°C, insulation plays a critical role in maintaining comfortable living conditions. Correa explains that when scanning houses during such extreme temperatures, it’s common to see interior wall temperatures drop to 0°C or even below. This phenomenon, known as thermal bridging, occurs when heat conducts through framing materials, undermining the effectiveness of insulation. MAGNUS’s solution to this problem is the use of continuous exterior insulation, which wraps the building in an unbroken layer of insulation, eliminating thermal bridges and ensuring consistent interior temperatures.

In addition to improving energy efficiency, this approach also enhances the overall comfort and quiet of the building. MAGNUS’s focus on insulation extends to sensitive areas like rim joists, cantilevers, and concrete walls, where spray foam insulation provides an airtight seal, preventing moisture issues and maximizing R-values. “An R40 wall is useless if air leaks compromise the system,” Correa explains, highlighting the importance of air sealing in achieving superior energy performance.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, MAGNUS Construction remains at the forefront of innovation, committed to delivering high-quality, energy-efficient building solutions. The company’s plans include expanding its services beyond Saskatchewan to other provinces, bringing its expertise to new markets. MAGNUS’ successful track record includes major projects like schools, hospitals, and commercial landmarks, leaving a lasting impact on the communities it serves.

Correa’s vision for the future is one of continued growth and innovation. “We’re not just building structures; we’re building a better future for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve,” he concludes. As MAGNUS Construction continues to lead the charge in sustainable building solutions, it is clear that its commitment to quality, innovation, and people will continue to set it apart as a leader in the construction industry.

With technologies like Wrapsulate and spray foam insulation leading the way, MAGNUS Construction is poised to redefine the future of construction, creating more efficient, comfortable, and sustainable spaces for generations to come.

The post Pioneering Innovation in Sustainable Building Solutions<p class="company">MAGNUS Construction </p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

These days, HKC Construction focuses on design-build, construction management, and general contracting, with experience in the institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential domains.

Being a 50-percent female-owned company, HKC Construction also places a high importance on equality of opportunity and diversity, which forms the basis of its business practices, while constantly striving to surpass its clients’ expectations and remaining committed to providing outstanding quality in every assignment. Additionally, its client-focused strategy guarantees that every project not only satisfies but exceeds contemporary building standards, reflecting the changing demands of the industries it serves.

“HKC Construction started with a simple yet ambitious vision: to provide exceptional quality and customer service in the construction industry,” says Helen Mentis, Executive Vice President. “My husband, Kosta, and I founded the company in 2010 after realizing we wanted to chart our own course. Kosta was already deeply rooted in the trades, and I came from a teaching background, so we combined our strengths to build something meaningful.”

The company began as a small renovation business, serving property management firms and focusing on delivering quality work and building strong client relationships. From those humble beginnings, the team’s dedication led to rapid expansion, resulting in the opening of its first office in 2018, a significant step in the journey toward becoming the company it is today.

To provide smooth integration of design and construction services, HKC works closely with its clients, assembling a top-tier team of professionals committed to servicing customers and project stakeholders through direct partnerships with vetted and trusted consultants. Safeguarding the crucial “Iron Triangle” of scope, timing, and budget, the company’s distinct approach places a premium on accountability and speed, simplifying the process for clients by offering a completely integrated solution.

HKC also guarantees that clients receive full support from its team of experts from the start of the project to its conclusion, all through a single point of contact.

With its extensive general contracting services, HKC Construction is leading the industry in its commitment to cost reduction, timeliness, and the inclusion of crucial safety precautions. Dedicated to delivering the greatest return on investment for each project as a commercial construction company that prioritizes quality, HKC ensures there is highly qualified personnel on site to plan and carry out daily duties with precision and to smoothly incorporate safety procedures into all operations. With the assistance of skilled site supervisors, engineers, and certified subcontractors, each project is overseen by a committed project manager who makes sure that quality, efficiency, and safety are harmoniously combined in every undertaking. This all results in HKC Construction making top quality a standard rather than merely a goal.

Continuing to maintain that level of sustainability is another area of importance, with several of the company’s projects of note exemplifying a commitment to both environmentalism and expert craftsmanship.

“Sustainability has become a core focus for HKC Construction,” says Mentis. “We are actively working toward implementing an Environmental Management Plan that emphasizes the use of environmentally friendly materials, reducing waste, and adopting practices that lessen our environmental impact.”

Some examples include sourcing sustainable building materials and improving its waste diversion strategies to ensure minimal landfill contributions. While prioritizing these changes, HKC remains committed to maintaining the same high level of quality and craftsmanship that its clients have come to expect.

“It’s not just about building for today — it’s about building a future that aligns with our responsibility to the planet,” Mentis emphasizes.

Over the years, the company has also worked to develop a wide spectrum of capabilities that allows it to serve a diverse selection of clients and sectors. “One of the things we’re most proud of is our ability to adapt and grow to meet diverse client needs. We work across multiple sectors, from retail and hospitality to institutional spaces and industrial projects.”

The team has thus built a skilled and knowledgeable team with expertise in diverse areas, allowing the firm to handle everything from small refreshes to large-scale builds. “This adaptability has been key to our success and our ability to build long-term client relationships,” Mentis adds.

Being a woman-owned company in a male-dominated industry—while bringing its own challenges and rewards—is another essential point of pride for the company. “When we started HKC Construction, I knew we were stepping into a space where women were underrepresented,” Mentis says. “That only fueled my determination to lead by example.”

Leading by example includes fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment and celebrating the diversity of perspectives that the team brings, she adds. “We are proud to have a 45 percent female workforce in our office, with women holding key management roles,” she says. “As a woman-owned business, we’re proud to show that leadership and success in construction are not limited by gender. I hope our story inspires other women to pursue leadership roles in industries where they are traditionally underrepresented.”

Like many businesses, the pandemic was a defining moment for HKC Construction, bringing with it disruptions and uncertainties including project delays and operational challenges. But it also forced the company to rethink how it operates, from implementing new safety protocols to streamlining processes.

“We’ve come out stronger and more agile,” Mentis says. “During this period, we were also recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of Canada’s Top Fastest Growing Companies for 2021, 2023, and 2024, which was an incredible achievement for our team.”

In addition, the company has been certified as a “Great Place to Work,” highlighting its dedication to creating a positive and supportive work environment.

“Another great accomplishment we’re proud of is achieving COR certification,” adds Mentis. “This not only underscores our commitment to safety and quality but also positions us as a trusted partner for larger-scale projects.”

Looking ahead, HKC Construction’s goal is to achieve substantial growth while staying true to the core values that built its foundation. “We are focusing heavily on innovation by integrating AI and data-driven solutions across our departments,” shares Mentis. “This includes utilizing advanced technologies in estimating, project management, and operations to improve efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction.” Additionally, the company aims to leverage these tools to better analyze market trends, optimize resource allocation, and deliver high-quality outcomes consistently.

The firm is also committed to leading the industry in sustainable construction practices. “We will try and focus on using eco-friendly materials and reducing waste across all projects,” says Mentis. “These milestones reflect our vision to not only grow as a company but to set new standards for innovation, sustainability, and quality in the construction industry.”

While there are many vital factors that help set HKC Construction apart from its competitors, Mentis stresses that it is the company’s people and culture that are its true defining features. “At HKC, every team member is treated with respect and recognized as a vital contributor to our success. We’ve cultivated a work environment where everyone feels valued,” she says.

“We’re always looking for ways to push the industry forward as we continue to adapt to client needs and consistently strive to deliver high-quality results to stand out in a competitive field. We don’t just build structures; we build trust and long-term partnerships.”

The post Opportunity, Diversity, and Service—Building Trust and Long-term Partnerships<p class="company">HKC Construction</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

A carpenter in his youth, Peterson served with Seabee, the U.S. Navy construction battalion, for four years. Soon after returning home from Vietnam, he worked with a company called Precision Built Homes, doing finished carpentry and cabinetry in the millwork division. Gaining experience, he became licensed and, after about seven years, went on to create Peterson Builders in 1976.

The value of teamwork
Steadily growing the business, Lynn’s sons Jason (now President and Co-Owner) and Ben (CEO and Co-Owner) eventually joined the team. Today, this Ogden Valley, Utah-based builder has three project managers, three site managers, six carpenters, and a long list of satisfied repeat customers. And the company allies itself with some of the top architects in the business. “We work with some great trades, and have fostered relationships over the years,” says Erik Johnson, Director of Construction. “Some have been with us for decades.”

The Petersons bring decades of combined expertise to Northern Utah’s custom homebuilding and renovation sector, and the Peterson brothers continue making their mark on the industry, which includes leading a non-profit to create homes in Mexico for families in need. An important figure in the Utah Home Builders Association, Jason Peterson works to influence industry legislation and code updates, and serves on the DOPL Construction Services Commission, holding both B100 and E100 contractor licenses. He has played a key role in over 130 luxury home builds.

To date, the company itself has been behind the successful completion of over 350 custom projects and counting.

Quality, always
At Peterson Builders, dedicated and experienced professionals work with clients through every step of their luxury homebuilding journey, from initial concept and design to material selection, construction, and customer handover. Every stage is precisely planned through what the company calls the Peterson Proven Process.

Gaining insight and experience with every project, the team has dedicated considerable time to creating and developing its processes, ensuring all work runs smoothly and professionally, a dedication to continuous improvement that clients appreciate. “The process is currently evolving,” says Jason Peterson, President and Co-Owner, “and we’ve been working on some of these processes for a number of years. We continue, to this day, making changes to those processes to see improvements where there is a need for improvement.”

Starting with Introduction and Discovery—where the team sits down with clients to discuss their dream home vision—the five steps of the Peterson Proven Process include Project Framework, Documentation, Construction, and finally Home Completion and Warranty. “This step guarantees that your home meets our rigorous quality standards and is ready for occupancy,” states the company’s website.

Along with the standard warranty required by the industry, the company provides the Peterson Builders Limited Lifetime Warranty. “We spend a lot of time and energy building these homes to the best of our ability, and we will back that up for the life of the home,” says Jason. “Any problems that are a result of faulty workmanship [will be addressed], years or even a decade later.”

Often faced with construction challenges owing to Utah’s weather and terrain, the company puts a great deal of effort into scheduling. Winter conditions mean a short building season, and projects are carefully planned with suppliers and trades so that interior work can continue in cold conditions. “We have to make sure our scheduling works with the trades on site, and that we’re not piling on materials and lumber,” says Jason. “We stock the houses with materials before they get shut down for the winter, when the snow arrives.”

Premier projects and awards
Over almost 50 years, Peterson Builders has been responsible for a number of award-winning works. In recent years, the company was awarded Custom Home of the Year from the Utah Home Builders Association and Project of the Year from the Concrete Foundations Association. In 2023, Peterson was awarded the BALA Platinum Award in the One-of-a-Kind Custom Home category from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and BALA (Best in American Living Awards™) Home of the Year, also from the NAHB.

The company’s dynamic Burch Creek Home in South Ogden, Utah, was designed by Salt Lake City’s EDA Architects. Measuring 4,750 finished square feet, the three-bedroom, 4.5 bath house combines Japanese aesthetics with mid-century design. Described by the company as “a stunning blend of modern luxury and timeless elegance, designed to seamlessly integrate with its beautiful mountain surroundings,” the Burch Creek Home boasts open concept living areas, unparalleled craftsmanship, high-quality finishes, large windows, a gourmet kitchen, and other luxurious amenities.

“BALA is the building industry’s premier residential design awards program,” says Jason. The future homeowners purchased the lot and had the existing home demolished, with the new home built in its place. From start to finish, the project took about 27 months. “It was a combination of self-performing a lot of the work and working with trade contractors,” he says of the home, which is in South Ogden’s lower valley. “It was a pretty cool thing, winning the award, and a tremendous confidence booster to be recognized by industry peers all over the nation who understand the level of skill and dedication and creativity that goes into a home like that. It was validating for me personally, to know that working on something I’m passionate about… resonated with others.”

Along with Burch Creek, other projects include the Harvest Fields Home in Huntsville. The 2018 Parade of Homes Winner of the People’s Choice Award, it is described as a “bright cozy farmhouse [that] brings that traditional Ogden Valley feel.” Other works, such as the Rolling Hills Home on the Ogden east bench, are remarkable for their striking, unique design. Partially built underground, Rolling Hills was the vision of the architect, who was a son-in-law of the owner. The house boasts unique architecture and a living grass roof.

A bright future
In business for decades, Peterson Builders has its share of satisfied repeat clients. Many are buying their second, third, or even fourth home from the company. And while some buyers are natives to Utah, others come from out of state, hailing from Texas, New York, California, and even Costa Rica.

With the company’s 50th anniversary fast approaching, Marketing Manager Claire Petty is working on a brand refresh, including revamping the company’s website showcasing its half-century in business. “We want to share 50 years of ‘Professionally Building With Integrity,’ which is our motto. she says, adding that Peterson Builders will ensure the upcoming anniversary is shared with the community, including media and local businesses.

“What’s cool about Peterson Builders is they’ve been open 49 years now and have relied on word-of-mouth this whole time, which has sustained them,” she says. “It’s pretty impressive to know that word-of-mouth—and referrals from other customers—has really sustained this company.”

For Jason, the upcoming anniversary signifies not only a landmark for the company, but an opportunity to attract new clients who are seeking the best in upscale living. “We are in the middle ground of the high-end custom home market, and striving to set ourselves apart as a builder who can really focus on attention to detail and a high level of quality finishes to build for clients who really have a desire for craftsmanship and uniqueness in the product. That’s really our focus and our niche,” he says.

“Over the coming years, we will position and market ourselves to those types of clients, and be able to take on those kinds of projects at the highest level.”

The post Timeless Luxury<p class="company">Peterson Builders</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

Professional contractors are the core of Builders’ clientele, followed by “homeowner/DIY customers and what I would call traditional retail customers who may be coming in to buy a power tool,” says Stacy Andersen-Bivona, CEO and second-generation owner.

The flagship location in Kearney remains the largest facility in the company with a 67,000-square-foot building—half set up in a shoppable retail format and the other half as a Design Center showroom. The entire building underwent a massive remodel in 2022-2023. “This remodel was planned and designed around the sales process and with each of Builders’ customer segments’ experiences in mind. DIY and traditional retailer shoppers have an organized and well-designed shopping experience, our pro customers have a pickup and shopping area for bulk buying convenience, and the homeowner customers have a complete Design Center to make all selections needed for the exterior and interior needs of their home,” Andersen-Bivona explains.

The showroom features roofing, doors, windows, siding, stone, fireplaces, decking, exterior lighting, cabinetry, flooring, countertops, sinks, decorative plumbing, tubs, toilets, shower systems, cabinetry hardware, backsplash/tile, interior lighting, window coverings, and paint.

“Our recently remodeled showroom in Kearney has gotten an overwhelmingly positive response,” says Andersen-Bivona.

The Grand Island location offers the same wide range of building materials, with a reduced retail footprint and its own Design Center showroom. “This location is also the neighbor to our Central States Component Systems, a manufacturing facility producing roof and floor trusses, staircases, wall panels, and floor cassettes. Formerly known as Spelts Schultz Truss before a recent rebrand, these products are shipped nationwide.”

In Kearney, Builders operates Edge and Stone Countertops, a business specializing in custom countertops. Meanwhile, Nebraska Installed Sales installs insulation, and Builders Colorado manufactures floor, roof, and wall systems. Builders Colorado also provides engineering and project design services. Across all divisions, Builders largely performs work in-house, relying on trusted subcontractors for specific tasks like cabinetry and flooring installation.

For a company with such a broad network of locations, products, and services, Builders’ origins are surprisingly modest. The story begins with Myron Andersen, Stacy’s father, who worked in construction throughout college before being drafted into the U.S. military. When conscription ended in early 1973, Myron opted to start his own construction business in Kearney. Inspired by a conference hosted by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, Myron applied lessons about goal-setting, positivity, and helping others to his budding business.

In 1977, he opened Payless Building Center, initially catering solely to professional contractors. Operating on a shoestring budget, the business began with just four employees and a fleet that included a temperamental World War II-era flatbed truck.

“[My father] had a World War II flatbed truck. They would jump-start it in the morning and never turn it off all day because they weren’t sure it would start again,” shares Andersen-Bivona.

The company quickly found success, moving to a larger location in 1985 and expanding its offerings to include retail customers. In the 1990s, the company experienced rapid growth, acquiring manufacturing businesses and opening additional locations, including Builders Colorado.

Today, Builders employs nearly 400 people across its operations. Stacy and her brother, Chad Andersen, co-own the business alongside their father. Chad serves as President of the Board and is one of the top salespersons for the Colorado operations. Myron, though retired, remains active as a board member and is a frequent presence at the Kearney location.

“He loves it. The company is him. It’s very near and dear to his heart,” says Andersen-Bivona.

As a family-owned company, Builders emphasizes a family-oriented culture, work-life balance, and strong community values. “We take care of our team and take care of our customers,” Andersen-Bivona explains. Builders also opens many of its meetings and gatherings with prayer, reflecting its Christian-based ethos.

This people-first approach extends to suppliers and the community. Builders maintains strong vendor relationships, which helped the company navigate supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also donates 10 percent of its profits annually to charitable causes, supporting schools, veterans, and first responders.

Recruiting and retaining talent is a priority for Builders. The company partners with local schools and universities to attract young professionals and provides ongoing training to help employees grow within the organization.

Looking ahead, Builders plans to expand further, enhancing its Colorado operations and potentially establishing new locations in other states. “We have a plan of growth,” says Andersen-Bivona. “In five years, we will be present in numerous new markets.”

The post This Family-Owned Company Is Building on Success<p class="company">Builders</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

A family success story
Based in Eugene, Oregon, Zip-O-Log Mills remains true to its community and family roots. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Zip-O-Log’s senior management includes Chief Executive Officer James Workman, President Karl Hallstrom (the third generation), Vice President KayCee Hallstrom, and KelCee Hallstrom, who serves in the role of Secretary Treasurer. A combination of dedicated, highly experienced employees and the latest technology ensures the company remains at the forefront of the lumber industry.

Founded in Coburg, Oregon by Al Hallstrom and George Campbell in 1944, Zip-O-Log Mills’ rich legacy is one “rooted in hard work and adaptability,” according to the company. Soon after it was created, Al’s son Bill joined the growing business. By 1951, the company moved to its present site in Eugene.

Like other successful businesses, Zip-O-Log Mills was not immune to hardship. Despite a mill fire in early 1962, the resilient company rebuilt and was back in operation just a few months later. Continuing to expand, the business soon welcomed other family members, including Bill’s brother, and Al Hallstrom’s son, A.B., as accountant, and Bill’s son, Karl Hallstrom, along with Jim Hallstrom.

For years, Zip-O-Log Mills has recognized the importance of not only keeping up, but staying ahead of the competition. In the ’80s, the company ushered in “a new era of precision and efficiency at the mill,” when it invested in new log scanning equipment. This was followed years later with upgraded scanning technology, which enabled the company to cut timber 52 feet (almost 16 meters) in length. The ’80s and ’90s also saw Zip-O-Log Mills acquire Pennington Crossarms—expanding its utility sector expertise—and a second location in South Carolina, which enabled the company to enter the southern yellow pine crossarm market.

The ensuing years have seen the company achieve other milestones, including Bill Hallstrom’s being named Lumberman of the Year by the Portland Wholesale Lumber Association. 2016 saw the establishment of sister company Zip-O-Laminators, which produces custom glulam beams. To date, these glulam beams have been used on projects including the University of Southern Maine Career & Student Success Center, the Rogue Credit Union Community Complex, the Avalon Bothell Commons Clubhouse, and, most notably, the Portland Airport expansion in Portland, Oregon. “This expansion reinforced the company’s commitment to innovation and diversification within the industry,” states the company, adding that the 2017 sale of Pennington Crossarm allowed Zip-O-Log Mills “to focus its resources on core operations and new ventures.”

The latest—but certainly not last—chapter in the Zip-O-Log Mills story came in 2021. That year, Karl Hallstrom welcomed daughters KayCee and KelCee to the company as co-owners, “ensuring the continuity of family leadership and a commitment to the values that have defined the company for 80 years.”

Meeting your lumber and glulam needs
Decades of experience, investment in technology, and a passion for the industry continue to make Zip-O-Log Mills the best choice for its many customers. These reasons, and many others, are why clients put their trust in Zip-O-Log Mills for their posts and beams, crossarms, and specialty timber needs. Not all sawmills have the company’s long length sawmill capabilities or years of experience with high-quality Douglas Fir products.

Selling #1 and better free-of-heart center timbers and boxed heart timbers used on exposed structures, the company applies anti-stain and a clear wax base end seal to all rough wood products and surfaced timbers. Other options include anti-stain treatment on surfaced products, bottom boards and paper wrapping to protect products, and lath or kiln stickers on every layer. And to ensure products are received as needed, the company can ship via truck or rail.

In the posts and beams category, Zip-O-Log Mills carries a wide assortment of products. These include timber framing and kiln dried timbers, joists and stringers, domestic clears, and 3” and 4” structural wood. In the specialty timbers category, the company works with customers to meet their particular needs. Investment in up-to-date kilns means Zip-O-Log Mills can also offer clients quality, kiln dried wood products.

The company carries industrial-grade woods, utility heat treat S4S (surfaced on four sides), #1 and Btr FOHC Full Sawn Rough Green Kiln Dried (4’ mults), #1 and Btr FOHC Full Sawn Rough Kiln Dried, and more. Sizes vary depending on the product. Economy S4S Green, for example, is available in 1×4-6 8’-20’ and 2×4-12 8’-24’ sizes, while Utility Heat Treat S4S can be had in 3×4 8’-24’ and 4×4 8’-24’.

For Zip-O-Laminators, the saying is, “Operating Between the Improbable and the Impossible.” Zip-O-Laminators takes it to heart, and is always willing to tackle any project and give you a true assessment and way to do it. As long as it is Douglas Fir or Alaskan Yellow Cedar, the plant can make a beam 115 feet long, 111 inches deep, and 32 inches wide. See the company case study of PDX to explore one of its most complex jobs to date.

Respecting the planet
Producing both green and kiln dried timbers, Zip-O-Log Mills’ products are typically sold in 8-to-24-foot increments, all the way to 52 feet. Specializing in 100 percent Douglas Fir means the company provides purchasers with high-quality, consistent products. Timber is not sold to the public or contractors, but can be purchased from one of the company’s distribution partners. Depending on customer need, partial truck orders from Zip-O-Log Mills can be combined with an order from sister company, Zip-O-Laminators, and “we encourage you to bundle your shipments to save on transportation costs.”

At Zip-O-Log Mills, nothing goes to waste; in fact, the company is proud to state, “100 percent of every log is used.” Bark and chips are sold to landscaping companies, and—owing to their high quality—serve as playground cushioning. Blueberry farmers use wood shavings, as the resin helps the berries grow. And low-grade wood is given a second life, made into pallets or concrete forms.

Following in the footsteps of founders Al Hallstrom and George Campbell, the Hallstrom family and their staff look forward to serving the wood product needs of customers for the next 80 years… and beyond.

The post Rooted in Tradition – A Legacy in Lumber<p class="company">Zip-O-Log Mills</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

“Pole barns are historically agricultural buildings that farmers and people looking for big garages have used,” explains Owner and CEO, Tim Troyer.

Pole barns use posts embedded in the ground for structural support. While they lack concrete foundations or a basement, pole barns are as sturdy as their traditionally framed counterparts, if not more so, says Troyer.

The pole barn concept stems from the Great Depression, when cash-strapped farmers in economically distressed areas began using old telephone poles as structural elements in new barns. Farmers realized that poles offered a speedy, cost-effective alternative to customary building methods—factors that Troyer’s clients also appreciate. Customers who opt for pole buildings get “a lot of square footage under a roof for quite a bit cheaper than conventional framing,” he explains.

Depending on their intended end-use, pole barns can either be enclosed or built without walls. They can be insulated by applying spray foam (a tough substance that creates a tight air seal and isn’t water absorbent, thwarting mold growth), foam boards (rigid, inexpensive boards that also don’t retain water), or rolls of fiberglass.

While farmers came up with the idea, pole barns can be used for myriad purposes. In addition to storage, pole barns make for enticing residences, with roomy “open concept” interiors. So-called “barndominiums” (“barndos” for short) are becoming a popular choice for customers looking for ample, low-cost living space in a rural setting, notes Troyer.

“An ideal Troyer [barndo] customer is an older, possible retired, couple that have lived in a subdivision, perhaps in a 5,000-square-foot house for the last 20 years. Now they are retired, and want to live in a 1,200-square-foot house with 3,000 square feet of play area to do hobbies in. They want to downgrade the living area, upgrade the hobby area,” he shares.

That said, the agricultural sector continues to bring in the most revenue for the firm.

Current company offerings for agricultural clients include a pole barn equipment shed (a three-sided building with a single-sloped roof to protect equipment from the elements) and pole barn lean-to sheds (buildings with wood rafters or steel, in the case of larger structures, again to protect equipment). Offerings for the commercial sector include pole barn storage units, warehouses, and riding arenas (the latter are constructed with engineered steel trusses and 8 x 8 posts—upgradeable to 10 x 10 posts if need be). For the residential sector, Troyer Post Buildings sells pole barn garages and workshops. The firm’s pole barn garage utilizes overhangs and steel trusses and is one of its most sought-after enclosed buildings. Barndominium offerings include a range of enclosed models of varying sizes, designs, and prices, bearing names such as the Birmingham, the Milwaukee, and the Baton Rouge.

Troyer Post Buildings’ main facility in Monterey features a lumberyard (with wood poles, generally made from Southern Yellow Pine, on offer) and a sales office. Typically, customers bring their ideas and wish lists to staff members who help them formulate a design. Once a design has been confirmed, the team puts together a materials package that consists of the necessary poles and other building components.

Material packages are loaded onto trucks and then are delivered to the customer’s site. If the customer doesn’t wish to erect or add turnkey items to the pole barn themselves, the firm can provide a list of recommended contractors who can perform such duties. At this point, a contractor and crew are scheduled to come out to the job site and build the pole barn. Troyer refers to material packages as kits and calls the contractors who put them together “kit assemblers.”

For its part, the newly added Greeneville office is dedicated to sales.

The company’s heritage is closely entwined with Troyer’s own faith. The Troyer family are Mennonites, descendants of a religious group from central Europe that emphasized simplicity, hard work, family, and Christian devotion over flash, ease, and secularism. Troyer can trace his lineage back generations, and his faith has influenced the company from the start. Indeed, he and his brothers (he has four younger brothers and one sister) have been working from early adolescence on.

When Troyer was 13 years old, his father opened up a workshop to build portable storage buildings. His father taught his boys construction basics and they began putting in shifts at this family vocation. The Troyer boys appreciated their tutelage but eventually decided to branch out. “As we reached our twenties, we kind of wanted to start our own thing,” recalls Troyer.

With their father’s backing and advice, the brothers established Troyer Post Buildings in 2014 and set about building pole barns. “After a couple years of building, we said, ‘Hey. We need to get into the lumberyard business,’” Troyer recalls.

The business pivoted and a lumberyard was established. The company began buying wholesale supplies and putting together their own building packages. Tim Troyer handled sales while his brothers took care of other aspects of the fledgling firm.

“I was young, unmarried, and easily put in 100 hours a week. I was on the phone all the time with customers, texting late into night, doing pricing, getting people buildings,” says Troyer of the company’s early days.

This dedication was matched by shrewd family financial planning; from the start, the business has been largely debt-free. The prevailing idea has been to spend money wisely and not risk the company’s future on speculative gambles or wanton expansion. This approach to finances also stems from the family’s faith, which puts people ahead of profits.

At first, the business largely served the agricultural community and focused on farmers who wanted inexpensive structures to protect hay and equipment. Sensing opportunities, the Troyer brothers expanded into the commercial and residential markets.

Now in its second decade of operation, Troyer Post Buildings remains family-owned and managed. Asked if there is a secret to the company’s success beyond hard work and excellent customer service, Troyer cites his “amazing wife” (he is now married, with three children) and “having a good family and church structure—having a good community around you.”

The firm today primarily serves customers in Tennessee and Kentucky, although it has worked in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia as well. The company offers clients a service called 3D Designer, which lets users take their ideas and “create an actual model” of the structure they want, states Troyer. And the company is currently in a growth spurt, having grown from roughly 25 employees in 2023 to close to 40 in 2024.

When it comes to new hires, “We are a very core values-focused company,” states Troyer. Job applicants would be wise to focus on these values, which include consistency, humility, helpfulness, trustworthiness, and innovation. Employees enjoy some unique perks, including paid sabbaticals. A standard feature in academia, where professors are given a lengthy break every few years to concentrate on research and writing, sabbaticals at Troyer Post Buildings are intended to give staff extra family time.

“Coming from my background, family is everything… a sabbatical is [a highlight] in a child’s life: ‘I’ve got a whole month or two months with dad at home!’” shares Troyer.

In a similar fashion, the company makes it its mission to ensure a safe workplace for its employees. The HR manager is certified in various workplace safety courses, and training is provided for specialty tasks such as using a forklift. Workers are equipped with all appropriate PPE and the firm closely follows OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations.

Troyer Post Buildings purchases its supplies “straight from sawmills” and aims to forge “good relationships with our vendors,” says Troyer. “We try to be great buyers—we pay our bills early and are consistent and honest in what we do, so they want to keep selling to us at good prices. If we can be a great customer, we can lower their risk, and they can give us a better price.”

Of course, like any business, Troyer Post Buildings has faced its share of trials and tribulations. “I think our biggest challenge in 2025 is going to be rising material costs,” he says. “We expect the market is going to heat up and the cost of lumber is going to increase pretty dramatically in 2025.”

To soften the impact of such price hikes, the company will continue to focus on efficiency and maintaining robust vendor relations, he adds.

Going forward, Troyer says the barndominium market is “where we see the most growth in the future.” While eager to expand, he prefers to emphasize the firm’s other qualities, rather than just the bottom line. “Five years from now, we hope to continue growing while still caring for people… and continue recognizing that our people are our most valuable asset.”

Visit troyerpostbuildings.com to learn more.

The post Faith and Family Fuel This Pole Barn Company<p class="company">Troyer Post Buildings</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.