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D-Crane install on a recent Behlen Industries project, Kitimat-Stikine, B.C. Robotics at the Behlen Industries main plant, Brandon, MB. Autobus Galland, Laval, QC. A PR IL 2019 | 25 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BEHLEN INDUSTRIES; HONCO STEEL BUILDINGS Steel Building Systems Brew Pub in Minneapolis as a struc- ture in which steel was able to live up to the design ideals of a Prohibition-era toolshed esthetic. Derrick Building Solutions, a long- standing Butler builder, evaluated numerous structural approaches to find the best option that would bring this vision to life within budget, and a Widespan structural system from Butler was chosen because it allowed for the integration of various roof heights; integration with manufactur- ing equipment (50-pound-per-foot glycol lines could be hung from the ceil- ings); column-free expanses (allowing forklifts to travel through the interior with ease); and expandable walls (to accommodate future growth). Butler offers certain advantages in its steel building components compared to those of other manufac- turers. They include all roof panels and structural members of its MR-24 roof system being factory punched to ensure proper alignment (crucial to weathertight performance). Panel splices are staggered instead of four panel corners joined at the same location, which results in a better resistance to leaks. And the standard paint finish on all of Butler's painted roof panels, wall panels, and trims has a 25-year warranty protecting against blistering, peeling, cracking, and chipping. Improving operations is the key to steel building manufacturers taking full advantage of a reasonably healthy 2019 market. Sean Lepper, VP and general manager at Behlen Industries, echoes the sentiments of CSSBI's Fox when he says, "despite all the tariff talk and steel prices climbing by over 30 percent, our sector remains strong. We're just not feeling the impact that the experts warned us of, and with the U.S. being so busy, that energy has trickled into Canada." While the lead times for delivery have been extended for many of Behlen's competitors, Lepper reports that, "Our lead times have remained very reasonable thanks to us investing heavily in robotics as well as in our process control depart- ment, with the processing of information being more accurate and much quicker than before. "All of our process flow is now automated and linked to our robotic machinery – and what used to take weeks now takes a day to complete. Plus, we can handle changes more eas- ily than ever." As a result, Behlen has enhanced its reputation for tackling huge projects that other companies shy away from. "But this isn't to say our upgrades to our 300,000-square-foot plant in Brandon, Manitoba, were undertaken lightly," says Lepper. "They were done when the economy wasn't so robust – so kudos to our ownership for being able to see so far down the road." A current project for Behlen is the construction of a maintenance hangar for the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, which will boast what is said to be the largest rigid frame (a 285-foot span) in Canada. "It's an engineering feat for our internal staff," says Lepper. "The frames are 10-feet deep and each weigh 18,000 pounds – with two inch diametre bolts. As of February, we're putting the finishing touches on the design for a delivery date of April." Over at Honco, the company's ability to adapt its services and construction system is possible due to four decades of innovation and growth, acquiring expertise, and making major invest- ments in its divisions in order to improve the production capacities of its factories. At the heart of Honco's flexibility is its corrugated steel structural panels, which when bolted together are incredibly strong and eliminate the need for independent support. Free span interiors are a Honco hallmark, allowing develop- ers to plan building layouts according to function rather than adapting function to suit physical restrictions. Developers can achieve an optimal architectural finish to Honco buildings by choosing to cover the steel walls with exterior decoration materials; and a variety of accessories such as awnings, wall fixtures, and decorative mouldings can be added to enhance the overall architectural appeal. Colour, of course, is a major consideration, and Honco provides a broad palette of standard and person- alized options. A 9:49 AM 9:04 AM

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