For five years, we have been asking respondents to the Top Metal Builder survey what was the biggest challenge they had faced in the previous year. Throughout that time, the largest response was about a lack of availability of skilled labor. In 2017, that shortage became acute. Of the 127 people who responded to the question in the survey, 60 percent mentioned the labor shortage as their biggest challenge.
A ranking of the largest metal builders
That answer far outstripped all of the other answers, which were relatively even. Lack of financing for projects, managing company growth, dealing with increased competition, facing a difficult regulatory environment, tough market conditions, bad weather and rising material costs all were distant seconds to the labor shortage issue.
Of those, several are directly related to growth and improved construction activity. Surprisingly, though, of our 100 builders in the Top Metal Builders of 2017, we saw a modest 3.4 percent increase in their average tonnage over 2016 and a 10.8 percent increase in square footage.
Compared to last year’s respondents, the average tonnage and square footage declined. That’s not unusual as companies shift in and out of the listing. There is, however, a clear trend line upward since 2010 that both reflects the growth of the market and, perhaps, indicates some consolidation among the larger players.
The metal building industry at the contractor level is still a fragmented industry, though, and no major player has grabbed significant market share. By that measure, the industry matches almost every other construction industry in the United States.
One thing we should be keeping an eye on going forward is the interference of weather in the construction process. Six percent of our respondents indicated weather was their biggest challenge in 2017. Add that to another few listed under other who identified keeping a schedule as their largest issue. The weather in 2017 included a hurricane and flooding in Houston and unseasonably cold temperatures in the northern United States and Canada. Meteorologists and climate scientists predict that the severity of weather events will only increase in power, making construction schedules even more tenuous. That challenge may not rise to the level of the labor shortage, but it could become more prevalent.
Company List
A.B. Systems Inc.—Both
Rochester, Minn.
Peter Schuller, president, 51 percent; ESOP, 49 percent
www.absystemsinc.com
Design-build construction company. Emphasis pre-engineered steel
Accelerated Construction Services—Both
Morgantown, W.Va.
Michael Allen, David Biafora, Richard Biafora
www.acceleratedconstructionser…
General contractor, pre-engineered buildings new and renovations
Ace Construction Inc.—Square Footage
Grimes, Iowa
Acey Haroldson Sr.
Metal building and structural steel erector, tilt-up erection
A-Lert Building Systems, a division of Centurion Industries Inc.—Square Footage
New Braunfels, Texas
Kenny Tharp, Brad Parish, Loren Troyer
www.alertbuildingsystems.com
ABS designs, manufactures and installs self-storage facilities ranging from single to multistory, boat and RV, and more
Apex Steel MT Inc.—Tonnage
Billings, Mont.
Brian McLean, Kevin Koester
www.apexsteel.com
Structural steel, miscellaneous steel, pre-engineered metal buildings, retrofits
Arctic Fox—Tonnage
Wasilla, Alaska
Chuck Morris
www.arcticfoxsteelbuildings.co…
Metal buildings
Arizona Corporate Builders—Both
Tempe, Ariz.
Stravinski Development Group, Dan Barnett, Dave Manarin
www.azcorporatebuilders.com
Steel building contractor working both as a supply-and erect subcontractor and design-build general contractor
Ayars & Ayars Inc.—Both
Lincoln, Neb.
Mike Ayars
www.ayarsayars.com
Design and general contracting service, self-perform in concrete, masonry, metals, and carpentry
B & H Construction Inc.—Both
Henderson, Nev.
Ray Hoffman
www.blanchardhoffman.com
General contractor and metal buildings
BARNES buildings & management group inc.—Both
Weymouth, Mass.
Martin E. Barnes
www.barnesbuildings.com
Supply and install metal buildings, metal siding and roofing, structural and miscellaneous iron fabrication
Brett Construction Co.—Both
Lexington, Ky.
Brett T. Setzer, Keith Fryman, Banks Hudson, Denny Boom
www.brettcon.com
Design-build contractor specializing in commercial and industrial projects
Briner Building Inc.—Both
Bluffton, Ind.
Bryan Harshbarger, Mike Swinford, Chris Elser, Dave Dunwiddie
brinerbuilding.com
Design-build general contractor
Bruns General Contracting—Both
Tipp City, Ohio
Employee Owned (ESOP)
www.brunsgc.com
Metal buildings, general contracting, design-build, retrofit, construction management
Building Innovation Group Inc.—Both
East Rochester, N.Y.
Stephen S. Holmes
www.buildingigroup.com
General contractor
Buildings by Design LLC—Both
Brush, Colo.
Travis Lefever, Pat Walter
www.buildingsbydesign.com
General contractor, who specializes in PEMB construction
C&J Construction Ltd.—Both
Rock Valley, Iowa
Calvin Baker, Jeff Van Bemmel
www.cjconst.com
Metal building contractor offering turnkey services on agricultural and commercial projects, concrete contractor
Camdon Construction—Both
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Scott McQuaig, Troy Spelt
www.camdon.ca
Design-build, pre-engineered metal buildings, project management and new construction.
Campbell Construction Inc.—Both
Wooster, Ohio
John A. Campbell
www.campbell-construction.com
Design-build general contractor, construction manager specializing in commercial and industrial construction
Canco General Contractors Inc.—Both
Plant City, Fla.
John D. Prahl
www.cancofl.com
Design-build contractor specializing in metal buildings
Cannon Building Systems—Both
Lenexa, Kan.
Keith Cannon
www.cbsikc.com
Supply and erect pre-engineered metal buildings, reroof and retro roofs
Cedar Falls Building Systems Inc.—Both
Menomonie, Wis.
Mark Lewis
www.cfbsi.com
Metal buildings
CHG Building Systems Inc.—Both
Renton, Wash.
Charles H. Grouws, Ryan Grouws, Steven Grouws
www.chgbuildingsystems.com
Furnish and erect metal building systems, structural steel and architectural sheet metal
Christensen Construction & Design Co. Inc.—Both
Estherville, Iowa
Steven P. Christensen
www.ccon1.com
Metal buildings, metal roofs, reroofs
Clouse Construction Corp.—Both
New Riegel, Ohio
Leonard Clouse, Lynn Clouse, Brian Clouse
www.clouseconstruction.com
Design-build general contractor, specializing in pre-engineered steel buildings, conventional steel
Cobalt Construction—Both
Laredo, Texas
Eduardo “Wayo” Salido
www.cobaltconstruction.com
General contractor doing mostly design-build for industrial developers
Concept Builders Ltd.—Both
Atlantic, Iowa
Bill Welter, Lesli Welter
General contractor, metal building erector, metal building sales
Concord Construction Inc.—Both
Wapato, Wash.
Steven E. Young, Sharon L. Young
concordconstruction.com
Commercial and industrial contractor participating in design-build projects involving pre-engineered metal buildings and conventional construction. New construction, retrofit and remodels including pre-engineered metal buildings
Crossland Construction Co. Inc.—Both
Columbus, Kan.
Ivan Crossland Jr., Bennie Crossland, Mike Crossland, Curt Crossland, Patrick Crossland
www.crossland.com
Metal buildings, metal roofing, new construction, etc.
Design Systems Builders Inc.—Both
Nashville, Tenn.
Dean Taylor, Del Hickman
www.dsb-inc.com
Pre-engineered metal buildings, reroof
Don Pickett & Associates Inc.—Square Footage
Fresno, Calif.
Mike Pickett
www.donpickett.com
Design-build metal building contractor. Commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings
Downs Construction Co. LLC—Square Footage
Thomasville, N.C.
Anthony Downs, Tammy Downs
www.downsconstruction.net
Furnish and erect pre-engineered metal buildings
Dublin Building Systems—Both
Dublin, Ohio
Rich Irelan, Bob Howe, Tom Irelan
www.dublinbuilding.com
Design-build general contractor
Dunn Building Co. LLC—Both
Birmingham, Ala.
Dunn Investment Co.
www.dunnbuildingcompany.com
General contractor and specialty subcontractor in pre-engineered metal buildings, metal roofing and siding, and heavy concrete
Dutton & Garfield Inc.—Both
Hampstead, N.H.
Steven R. Webster
www.duttongarfield.com
Building design-build, supply and erect, new and retrofit roofing
E.L. Crawford Construction Inc.—Both
St. Joseph, Mo.
Eldon Crawford, Kelly Crawford
www.elcrawford.com
Concrete, metal and wood framing, metal building erection, cabinetry, architectural woodworking, door systems, insulated metal panels, walk-in coolers and freezers, structural steel, steel mezzanines
E.S. Walker Construction Inc.—Both
Forest City, N.C.
Sheldon Walker
www.eswalkerconstruction.com
Primarily PEMB, light industrial, commercial and church work
Epic Construction—Both
Kieler, Wis.
Brad Bierman, Chad Walsh
www.epicgc.com
General contractor and metal building supplier/erector
EPOC Construction Inc.—Both
Newport News, Va.
Ken Bingman
EPOCconstruction.com
Metal buildings, general contractor
Ferguson Construction Co.—Both
Sidney, Ohio
Martin L.Given
www.ferguson-construction.com
General contractors
Fleming West LLC—Square Footage
Mesa, Ariz.
Aaron E. Wolf
www.flemingwest.com
Metal building design-build, erection, repairs, metal roofing
Force Construction Co. Inc.—Tonnage
Columbus, Ind.
Closely held
www.forceco.com
Self-performing general construction company, engaged in commercial/industrial building construction and heavy/civil construction
Freeman Building Systems—Tonnage
Wooster, Ohio
Dan Freeman
www.freemanbuilding.com
Design-build construction for industrial and commercial markets
G&W Builders Inc.—Both
Brea, Calif.
Mike Greer, Willy Woelk
www.gwbuilders.com
General contractor, specializing in design-build, metal buildings
Gateway Building Systems Inc.—Tonnage
West Fargo, N.D.
Kevin Johnson
www.gatewaybuilding.com
General contractor for the commercial building industry
GF Construction SA—Both
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Charles E. Fombrun, Jerry Fombrun
www.gfconstruction.com
Pre-engineered metal buildings, residential, commercial, industrial
Hallstrom Construction Inc.—Both
DuBois, Pa.
Robert Grieve, Robert Hallstrom, Brian Ganoe, Barry Andrulonis
Commercial construction
Hammers Construction Inc.—Both
Perham, Minn.
Joe Hammers
www.hci-mn.com
Design-build commercial and agricultural construction
Hammers Construction Inc.—Tonnage
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Steve Hammers, Dave Hammers
www.hammersconstruction.com
Design-build, general contractors
Hance Construction Inc.—Both
Washington, N.J.
Arthur Hance
www.hanceconstruction.com
Design-build, general contractor, construction management
Hansen-Rice Inc.—Both
Nampa, Idaho
Burke Hansen, John Rice
www.hansen-rice.com
Steel erection, insulated metal panels, roofing, design-build, general contracting
Harrell Construction Co. Inc.—Both
Jacksonville, Fla.
Glenis L Harrell, Jason Harrell
www.harrell-construction.com
Furnish and erect PEMB services
Heath Steel—Both
Fort Collins, Colo.
Randy DeMario
www.heathsteel.com
Furnish and erect metal building systems, metal roofing and insulated metal panels. New construction and retrofit
Heimburger Construction Inc.—Square Footage
Bonne Terre, Mo.
Bob Heimburger, Jennifer Heimburger, Sue Heimburger
www.heimburgerconstruction.com
Pre-engineered metal buildings, self-perform steel erection, metal re-roof
Henry Gurtzweiler Inc.—Square Footage
Toledo, Ohio
www.henrygurtzweiler.com
Erection and sales
Hoover Building Specialists LLC—Both
Honey Brook, Pa.
Richard L. Hoover, Douglas Hoover, Dustin Fox
www.hooverbuildings.net
General contractor performing design-build, new construction and renovations of commercial buildings
Image Building Systems—Both
Phoenix
Ryan Klosterman
www.imagebuildingsystems.com
Metal buildings
Industrial Building Systems—Both
Milford, Conn.
William M. Lewis
www.ibsct.com
Metal buildings, new construction
Interface Manufacturing Inc.—Tonnage
Paso Robles, Calif.
Jack DeLore
Metal buildings
Ironhide Construction Inc—Both
Lincoln, Neb.
Troy Bridgford, Chris Kyhn, Jeff Wolgamott
www.ironhideconstruction.com
General contracting, metal buildings, metal roofing, retrofit roofing, additions, structural steel
J&F Construction & Development Inc.—Both
Bucyrus, Ohio
Jim Mayes
www.jfconstruction.com
General contractor, design-build, build-lease, construction manager, steel erection, concrete, sitework, carpentry, reroof
J.A. Wagner Construction Inc.—Both
Elkhart, Ind.
Mark A. Elliott, Robert G. Dunlop
www.jawagner.com
New construction and metal buildings
J.B.. Steel Inc.—Both
Medford, Ore.
Andy Batzer
www.jbsteelinc.com
General contractor, commercial and industrial specializing in structural steel and pre-engineered metal buildings
James Steel Inc.—Both
Yankton, S.D.
Dale R. James
www.jamessteelinc.com
Specialists in steel building construction
James Ware Construction Inc.—Both
Sturgis, Mich.
James Ware, Kathryn Ware
www.jameswareconstructioninc.c…
Metal building, new construction
JBS Contracting Inc.—Both
Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
James Kremsreiter, John Stadtfeld, Lee Roethlisberger, Becky Connors
www.jbscontracting.com
Construction management, metal buildings, new construction, remodel
Jensen Builders Ltd.—Both
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Dale Jensen
www.jensenbuilders.com
Design-build general contractor that specializes in self-performing concrete, carpentry and metal building erection
JH Kelly LLC—Tonnage
Longview, Wash.
Dan Evans, Mason Evans
www.jhkelly.com
General contracting, electrical, mechanical
Jones Contracting Inc.—Both
Albertville, Ala.
Russ Jones
www.jonescontractingal.com
General contractor, metal buildings
Keefe Construction Services—Both
Wiggins, Colo.
Ray Keefe, Paula Keefe
www.keefeconstructionservices….
General contractor
Keller Inc.—Both
Kaukauna, Wis.
100 percent employee owned
www.kellerbuilds.com
Design-build general contractor
Kessel Construction Inc.—Tonnage
Bradford, Pa.
Timothy Asinger, Kristin Asinger, Richard Kessel, Ann Kessel
www.kesselco.com
Metal buildings (design-build), roofing (metal), new construction
Keystone Steel Structures—Both
Honey Brook, Pa.
Elam King
www.keystonemetalbuilding.com
Pre-engineered metal buildings
Lanca Contracting Ltd.—Both
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Nathan Lancaster, Keith Lancaster
www.lanca.com
PEM buildings, specializing in design-build, project management, and new construction
Lock Steel Building Co.—Both
Carrollton, Mo.
Matt Lock
www.locksteel.com
PEMB contractor, metal buildings, metal roofing, new construction
M & F Litteken Co.—Both
Wichita Falls, Texas
Kevin Darnell, Jean Darnell, Shane Darnell
www.mflitteken.com
General contractor, design-build contractor utilizing pre-engineered building systems
Maverick Steel Inc.—Square Footage
Byers, Colo.
Ron Williams, Tammi Williams
www.mavericksteel.net
Metal buildings, commercial, residential, agricultural, new construction
Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services—Both
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Robert K. Mericle
www.mericle.com
Pre-engineered metal builder, industrial, office, flex and medical space. Speculative developer and general contractor
MMS Northeast Inc.—Both
Hampton Falls, N.H.
Steve Moore
www.steel-bldgs.com
Supply and erection contractors. Private and public projects, national account building supplier/consultant
Moltus Building Group—Both
Midland, Mich.
Michael Prezzato, Justin Lipscomb
www.moltusbuild.com
General contractor specializing in pre-engineered metal buildings
North Valley Building Systems Inc.—Tonnage
Chico, Calif.
Andrew J. Wood
www.northvalleybuilding.com
General building contractor, pre-engineered steel buildings, reroofing, design-build
One Development and Construction LLC—Square Footage
Westfield, Mass.
One Development and Construction LLC
www.one-d-c.com
Design-build general contractor, repairs and renovations
Page Construction, LLC—Square Footage
Sarah, Miss.
David Page, Mandy Lamb
www.pageconstructionllc.net
PEMB sales and installation
Patco Construction Inc—Both
Sanford, Maine
Greg Patterson, Mark Patterson
www.patcocommercial.com
General contractor
Patterson Horth Inc.—Tonnage
Indianapolis
Mike Patterson, Tim Horth, Jason Jeffries
www.pattersonhorth.com
Metal buildings, new construction, energy market emphasis
Pre-Fab Builders Inc.—Both
Fullerton, Calif.
Jack N. Gill, Jerry L. Hancock, Archie T. Reyes
www.prefabinc.org
Supply and install PEMB
Quality Erectors & Construction Inc.—Both
Benicia, Calif.
Jesse Esquivel
www.qec-inc.com
Metal buildings, metal roofing, insulated metal panels, architectural metal panels of all sorts and structural steel erection
Quanta Building Group LLC—Both
Coppell, Texas
Alejandro Valladares
www.quantabuild.wixsite.com/qu…
Metal buildings, retrofit, steel erection
Rhetson Cos. Inc.—Both
West End, N.C.
Brian Clodfelter, Lee Pittman
www.rhetsoncompanies.com
Development company, general contractors, new construction, metal buildings for national accounts
Rhoads & Johnson LLC—Both
Fenton, Mich.
Kevin Johnson
www.rhoadsjohnson.com
Pre-engineered buildings, new construction
Riedel-Wilks Building Structures Inc.—Both
Huntington, W.Va.
Scott Riedel, Jeff Handloser, Gary Staten
www.riedel-wilks.com
Design-build general contractors, specializing in PEMB applications and industrial supplier of pre-engineered building packages
Rudolph Libbe Inc.—Both
Walbridge, Ohio
www.rlgbuilds.com
General contractor, metal building, metal roofing and retrofit
Russell P. LeFrois Builder Inc.—Both
Henrietta, N.Y.
Richard LeFrois
www.lefrois.com
General construction, steel erection
Scenic Ridge Co.—Tonnage
Gordonville, Pa.
Jay Elam King
www.scenicridge.com
Metal buildings, structural steel fabrication and erection, concrete work, general construction
Schwisow Construction Inc.—Square Footage
Lincoln, Neb.
Doug Blum, Randy Harre
www.schwisow.com
General contracting firm specializing in the design and construction of commercial and industrial facilities utilizing both conventional and metal building systems
Seacon LLC—Both
Issaquah, Wash.
Bob Power, Rob Howie, Steven Caniglia, Eric Reese
www.seaconllc.com
Operations include general contractor; construction manager; design-build project development; supplier of structural, pre-engineered metal buildings
Septagon Construction Co. Inc.—Tonnage
Sedalia, Mo.
www.septagon.com
General contractor, design-build, reroof, and construction management services in nonresidential markets. Specialize in pre-engineered buildings
Sheridan Construction—Tonnage
Fairfield, Maine
Mitchell P. Sammons, Daniel Wildes
www.sheridancorp.com
Design-build general contractor
SNW Steel Services Inc.—Square Footage
Ringgold, Va.
Michael Stewart, Jeff Nuckles
Pre-engineered metal building company with erection and sales, roofing and retrofit
Span Construction & Engineering Inc.—Both
Madera, Calif.
King Husein
www.spanconstruction.com
Design-build turnkey building solutions
Star Inc.—Both
Amhearst, Ohio
Richard Mulder
www.starinc.cc
Design and construction services including steel buildings, metal siding and roofing replacement. Warehouses to offices, new construction
Steel Nation Inc.—Both
Washington, Pa.
Mark Caskey, Mark Dooley, Alan Reid
www.steelnation.com
Supply and erect PEMBs mainly in the oil and gas market
Steel Solutions Inc.—Both
Ravena, N.Y.
Bob Pearl
www.steelsolutionsny.com
Specializing in supplying pre-engineered metal buildings and components. Consulting services for value engineering regarding pre-engineered metal buildings
Steel Vision Construction Inc.—Both
Rigby, Idaho
Michael L. Bressler
www.steelvisionconstruction.co…
Metal buildings
Steel Worx Solutions LLC—Both
Groveland, Fla.
Stephanie van Rooyen
www.stellworxusa.com
Turnkey furnish-erect contractor, IMP install and metal roofing along with design and engineer. Fabrication and concrete slabs
Steelsmith Inc.—Both
Pittsburgh
Donald T. Gilmore
www.steelsmithinc.com
Metal building supply and construction
Straitline Structures Inc.—Square Footage
Sugarcreek, Ohio
Mark Straits, Sue Straits
www.straitlinestructures.com
Metal buildings, new construction and retrofit
Superior Construction—Both
Bakersfield, Calif.
Dan Proffitt
Metal buildings, metal roofing, retrofit, new construction, tilt-ups
Sure Steel Inc.—Both
South Weber, Utah
Mark Carter, Jim Burwell
www.suresteel.com
Supply and erection of structural steel, metal buildings and metal panels
Tedesco Construction Services Inc.—Tonnage
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Jeffrey M. Tedesco
www.tedescoconstruction.com
Pre-engineered metal building design-build general contractor
Thomas Phoenix International—Square Footage
Eastampton, N.J.
Gary T. Smith, Eric T. Kay, Sean T. Smith
www.thomasphoenix.com
Pre-engineered metal building erection, metal roofing, retrofit, new construction
Toneman Development Corp.—Square Footage
Lancaster, Calif.
JP Toneman
www.tonemandevelopment.com
Metal buildings
Ultimate Steel Erection Inc.—Both
Rexburg, Idaho
Kay Burrell
www.ultimatesteelerection.com
Metal buildings
VIP Structures—Both
Syracuse, N.Y.
David C. Nutting
www.vipstructures.com
Design-build contractor with in-house architecture and engineering services. Self-perform steel and concrete
Whitener & Jackson Inc.—Both
Manassas, Va.
Edward H. Jackson
www.wj-inc.com
Full-service general contractor with metal building franchise
Winter Construction Inc.—Both
Freeport, Ill.
Mark A. Winter
www.winterconstruction.com
Commercial general contractor with focus on the design-build delivery system of engineered metal structures
