Volunteers Reminisce About Building Steel Shed

…A Look Back to 2003

Terry Redman, President of the "Volunteer Friends of Shamrock Park", a chapter of the 501{c}3 group, "Friends of Sarasota County Parks" organization, recently touched base with SteelMaster to reflect upon his good memories of building their storage facility. He also commented on how happy he has been since he made the decision and chose the SteelMaster steel and metal arched pre-fabricated structure for their volunteer tools, vehicles and supplies.

"Oh my goodness, I remember constructing the building like it was yesterday," Terry said. "Using the plans and instructions SteelMaster supplied, it took us maybe a week to construct the building. The plans and specifications we received were clear and easy. Building it was actually a lot of fun!"

Terry Redman said he would be remiss if he did not mention how great the SteelMaster team has been and cannot speak highly enough about SteelMaster and each one of his fellow volunteers.

"We had about a dozen volunteers, including the assistance of one amazing lady in particular whom I cannot leave out of the story," said Terry. "This lady does not mind the Florida heat, getting her hands dirty, and is no stranger to hard work. She was there every day, on a ladder tightening bolts or holding ropes to keep sections in place."

By the way, this remarkable woman, Bessie Kofsky weighs all of 90 pounds and is 89 years young. Bessie was Shamrock Park's first volunteer has been there from the time it was built in 1994 and is still there almost every day. She serves on several volunteer beautification committees, does park maintenance/weeding, worked on bird banding projects, and participates in garden clubs, (and, let's not forget –helped build a SteelMaster Storage Shed!) She's a hard-worker to say the least, and although she never complains, she's usually sporting a band-aide or two. Bessie leaves her younger counter-parts in her dust – often scratching their head in amazement. She is a dedicated volunteer and according to Terry, Bessie inspires everyone who meets her.

"I also want you know our shed is a beautiful addition to the Shamrock Park," says Roger. "It is situated right beside the community center in a high profile area, not tucked away somewhere out of sight on the premises. Since it is not like most sheds that end up looking faded and rusty, it blends in beautifully with the rest of the park, and allows our volunteers easy access to the building and supplies within it."

Whether it's a need for residential or commercial storage, SteelMaster pre-fabricated sheds provide storage buildings to meet every application," touts Michelle Wickum, SteelMaster's Director of Marketing.
"SteelMaster prefabricated sheds feature a flexible clear span design, allowing maximum space efficiency. Our metal building sheds are easy to assemble and provide years of maintenance free use."

Many of us envy those living in Florida and dream of retiring there someday and living the good life. The vast array of beaches, swaying palm trees, and gorgeous weather, does hold a certain allure. But just like anywhere one chooses to live in the United States, along with the good, comes some form of precarious weather. And for Florida, that means tropical storms and hurricanes.

Roger added, "Since 2003, we had to deal with Hurricane Charlie, and other storms – either directly or indirectly. Either way, it is never fun. Our SteelMaster Building has already proved its worth. It looks as good as the day we finished putting it up and is definitely serving its purpose."

"SteelMaster buildings are engineered for life," said Wickum. "Our Steel Arched Buildings are designed to meet the wind loads of their destination. Our buildings are made with consideration given to climatological factors in order to provide protection from water, freezing temperatures, fire, and even hurricane-force winds."

SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

"Would I recommend a SteelMaster Building to others? Absolutely!" said Roger. Only thing is, they cannot have our Bessie to help them build it. Sorry, but she's ours!"

SteelMaster Hangar Kit Delivery

Rocky Take-Off Leads to Smooth Landing

Roger Edwards of Anchor, Florida has quite the story regarding his SteelMaster experience. Thankfully, Roger Edwards also has a great sense of humor and realizes sometimes things do not always go as planned.

Perhaps being a seasoned pilot and owning his own plane may have a little something to do with his attitude. Pilots realize weather can change on a dime. They know turbulent departures can lead to clear, blue skies and a smooth and safe landing. In a metaphorical sense, that sums up Roger's building delivery, assembly and ultimate pride and satisfaction with his 40'x45' SteelMaster airplane hangar.

His decision to buy a SteelMaster buildings was not part of the glitch. During his tenure as a pilot, he came across and admired several SteelMaster hangars and storage facilities. Roger met a SteelMaster rep during an Air Show in Lakeland, Florida where SteelMaster had an exhibit booth. Roger enjoyed talking to the rep, describing him as "friendly, yet professional". That was where he decided to get straight to the brass tacks and purchase his own pre-fabricated steel, Quonset-styled hangar.

The 18-wheeler semi that delivered his SteelMaster kit was right on schedule. Getting the materials to the area Roger wanted them to be unloaded on his property was a different story. Roger's neighbor saw the truck coming and warned him, "I'm telling you now Roger, that driver is not going to make it all the way down this driveway in that 18-wheeler!"

The driver looked over the situation and said, "I think I can manage this."

And he did.

Roger seems reasonable and said upfront, "I'm sure they (SteelMaster) told me I would need to have help to unload the materials, but I probably forgot and consequently, I did not have any help available – other than my tractor."

Again, the driver of the 18-wheeler lamented a moment and then said, "Well, actually I'm not supposed to help with unloading materials, but I see you are alone here, so I will make an exception and help you out."

As fate would have it, a few minutes later, the driver endured a cut on his leg worthy of bragging rights, but not bad enough for these two men to stop unloading the precious cargo onto Roger's tractor. The driver simply applied a big piece of duct tape over the cut and proceeded.

After Roger's SteelMaster kit was completely unloaded, the driver reviewed the damage to his leg. It was still bleeding. At that point, Roger insisted on returning the favor and took him to an urgent care facility, with the result being several stitches.

The driver had one more delivery scheduled for the day. It was another SteelMaster pre-fabricated steel building kit going to its new home in Tampa. He had already called the customer to advise he would be later than anticipated, and would stay in touch. Roger and the driver shook hands thanking each other for their respective help, and the driver started back down the driveway in his big rig.

But the driver did not get very far.

He got stuck in the thick, sand of the Floridian driveway – just like Roger's neighbor said would happen.

After many, many attempts and help from others to assist the driver to get on the road, the sun was setting and the situation was not looking so good. The driver called the customer again and said to expect him first thing in the morning.

The driver spent the night in the driveway in his rig, and it took two tractors and a truck to get the driver on the road the next morning. Unfortunately, we do not have the name of the truck driver to sing his praises – yet.

Fortunately for Roger, he enlisted the help of a neighbor (another proud SteelMaster Building owner), a contractor and helper to assemble his hangar. The contractor poured a slab foundation and secured bolts into the slab. Roger admits to struggling a bit with the roof and when their man-made scaffolding did not cut it, they ended up renting a one-person lift to get the first segments of the arches in place. The rest was a snap.

Although many SteelMaster customers do not find a lift as a necessity when building their buildings, Roger recommends one. He also advises that customers need to be aware they need help to unload their kit from the delivery truck, a point he says he may have missed when talking to his sales rep. "And…, said Roger, Keep in mind some of the edges are very sharp!"

Even though Roger's delivery day did not go as expected, he is ultimately thrilled with his hangar. He said he appreciates the support and follow up he has received from the SteelMaster team. Roger emphasized, "Hey, don't get me wrong – I love my hangar! It is a nice-looking building too, and it should last forever! And I would definitely recommend SteelMaster to others!"

SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

SteelMaster is celebrating its 30-year Anniversary this month. This milestone marks over 40,000 satisfied customers with SteelMaster buildings constructed worldwide on six continents, in over 50 countries, and throughout the United States.

SteelMaster Celebrates 30 Years

SteelMaster Buildings will be celebrating its 30-year anniversary in February. SteelMaster is well-known as the leading manufacturer of steel and metal pre-fabricated arched buildings.

SteelMaster has merely scratched the surface of their steel building market and future. According to Inside Business Magazine, SteelMaster is amongst the ranks of "Hampton Roads Roaring 20". This distinguishes SteelMaster as one of the region's fastest growing companies, while making significant contributions to the local economy. SteelMaster is licensed as a small business with a staff of 50 working out of their headquarters in Virginia Beach.

"We are perfectly poised for continued growth," touts Vice President Rob Poellnitz, with all the confidence of a Navy Admiral positioned for battle. Poellnitz, along with Co-Vice Presidents Anthony Bueno and Karen Willis share these confident opinions based upon several factors.

"We share a common vision and we believe in the SteelMaster product," adds Michelle Wickum, Marketing Director. "When you are dealing with a superior product, a staff comprised of the best in the business in their respective fields, with the outcome being extremely happy clients, it's a ‘win-win' situation."

This past year alone, SteelMaster has stood out from the crowd in big ways.

SteelMaster was recognized as one of the "12 to Watch" by the United States Senate Productivity and Quality Award program (SPQA) for Virginia. To qualify, SteelMaster had to meet rigorous standards from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. As a part of the recognition, they received Criteria for Performance Excellence Training, Mentoring and Scholarship participation in Virginia's SPQA's Discovery Program. In a press statement, Virginia SPQA Board Chair Jo Rohr said, "SteelMaster is on the cusp of major growth."

SteelMaster was awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia's "Compass Award for Excellence in International Trade." This recognition is only given to a Virginia business that has excelled in global trade while positively representing the Commonwealth in the international arena. Recipients must have increased their international profile, promoted the best interests of its employees and surrounding communities, and contributed to the economic health and quality of life of Virginians.

SteelMaster was the winner of an export video promotion contest co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and VISA. SteelMaster received a $12,000 award, including cash and travel costs to participate in the awards ceremony, and a Department of Commerce Gold Key matching service.

Further, two SteelMaster custom-designed homes appeared in The Wall Street Journal and the New York Daily News. SteelMaster also completed its first two buildings certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects.

SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

SteelMaster's 30-year Anniversary marks over 40,000 SteelMaster buildings constructed worldwide, on six continents, and in over 50 countries.

For More Information About Steelmaster Visit Steelmasterusa.com

From Start to Finish: Building a SteelMaster Garage

We've already shared how easy it is to build a SteelMaster buildings, but Tom in Pennsylvania decided to tell his construction story through Facebook. Tom documented the entire process from unloading the truck to the reveal of the final product with a photo album on his Facebook page.  Click on the image below to view the gallery. Thanks for all of the great photos, Tom!

Steelmasterusa

To view other SteelMaster Buildings projects and promotions, become a friend of SteelMaster on Facebook.

Steel Building has Risen at Georgia Church

During the four nights leading up to the week before Christmas in 2009, approximately 1,800 people traveled to Glenloch Baptist Church, located just south of Roopville, GA, to embark on an outdoor walking tour of the little town of Bethlehem the way it may have appeared on the night of Jesus' birth.

Traveling past actors portraying lepers and beggars crowding the gate of the City of Bethlehem, participants persuaded soldiers to enter in order to register for the census. Beyond the gate, they navigated the marketplace as Mary and Joseph did more than 2000 years ago, while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of days gone past. Before them beckoned shops that sold bread, fruits and vegetables, oil and lamps, spices, and metal ware, as well as a weaver, basket maker and pottery shop.

All around families lived their everyday lives-eating their meals and tending to their animals. A couple named Mary and Joseph, who came to register for the census, took shelter in an animal stall, and Mary delivered a very special child.

At the end of the tour, visitors came upon a tomb. "There they heard about how Jesus came to earth as a babe, grew into a wonderful man who was also God, and gave his life for our sins," says Jo Creel, a member of Glenloch Baptist Church who is in charge of coordinating its creative arts programs. "The best part, which we save for last, is that he is no longer in the tomb. He is risen and lives in each of us who have accepted him as our Lord and Savior."

Creel and a dozen of the church's congregation began the work of transforming the grounds into "One Night in Bethlehem" during the late fall of last year, and part of that transformation included purchasing a pre-fabricated steel structure from SteelMaster Buildings, located in Virginia Beach, VA, to use as the tomb.

"We are always amazed at the creative ways that our customers make use of our buildings," says Michelle Wickum, the marketing director for SteelMaster Buildings. Each building utilizes a clear span design that offers 100 percent usable space along with the ease of construction that is provided by precision-made, pre-engineered building systems.

Creel says that visitors at the event are surprised when they learn what lies underneath the tomb's façade. "I don't think they realize that it is a steel building at all," says Creel. "If and when they do realize it, they are amazed."

The company's steel buildings include all the components necessary to erect a garage, a barn, a storage building, and even a building to be used as a makeshift tomb such as the one at Glenloch Baptist Church. The components are made to precise standards of accuracy for easy assembly, with pre-punched holes and only one size nuts and bolts for the entire building. The pre-engineered buildings are so simple to erect that more than 80 percent of customers construct their own building with huge labor cost savings.

The company's 30-Year Mill-Backed Warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT) ensures that the congregation at Glenloch Baptist Church can depend on the building during their production of "One Night in Bethlehem" for many years to come as they continue to entertain and enlighten members of their community in their mission to share their ministry with others.

SteelMaster Honored as Roaring 20

SteelMaster Buildings was recently honored as one of Hampton Road’s Roaring 20. The award recognizes the region’s fastest growing companies that are making significant contributions to our local economy. Read the full write up from Inside Business below…

SteelMaster Buildings

Founded 1982

Business type Manufacturer of arched steel buildings

Based Virginia Beach

Website www.SteelMasterUSA.com

Revenue 5 percent increase in 2008, 6 percent increase in 2009, 30 percent increase in 2010

Employees Numbers not released to public

Whether it’s a luxury home in the Hamptons or a bulk-food warehouse in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, SteelMaster Buildings has sheltered its customers since 1982, and it continues to grow in the U.S. and abroad.

Founder Rhae Adams styled his products after the “Quonset huts” designed for the Navy during World War II.

SteelMaster’s distinctive metal buildings – with their arched structures and corrugated steel exteriors – have been used as garages, carports, airplane hangars, warehouses, government facilities, farm storage buildings, even an animal shelter in Austin, Texas.

Today SteelMaster is forging commercial opportunities overseas. The company hired a full-time international business manager in 2006.

The following year, SteelMaster enrolled in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s VALET class, a highly selective, two-year exporting program.

International sales – in Taiwan, South Korea, Malta, Angola and other areas – now make up 20 percent of business, compared with less than 5 percent in 2006.

“It was the exception rather than the rule,” Vice President Rob Poellnitz said of SteelMaster’s prior exporting efforts. “About five years ago, we made that a focal part of our business.”

Poellnitz is one of three vice presidents that run SteelMaster’s corporate office in Virginia Beach.

The company’s management ranks have endured upheaval and tragedy in the last decade.

Adams is no longer active in the business, according to Michelle Wickum, marketing director. In the mid-2000s, he passed CEO duties to retired Landmark Communications executive Donald “Pat” Patterson, who guided the ailing company into a new era of promise. Patterson died in 2008.

He laid the foundation, however, for current growth, including a focus on new U.S. clients.

Poellnitz, along with vice presidents Anthony Bueno and Karen Willis, are expanding SteelMaster’s residential and “green” business.

This year, two of the company’s custom-designed homes appeared in The Wall Street Journal and the New York Daily News.

It also completed its first two buildings certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design projects.

“SteelMaster Buildings,” Poellnitz said, “is poised for continued growth.”

- Teresa Talerico

Find a Steel Building in Your State!

Have you seen the state pages on SteelMaster’s website? Customers can now find steel buildings in their state via interactive maps. The website displays both a map of the United States as well as an international map for our customers across the globe. With over 40,000 steel buildings on the ground, the maps are a continuous process and will be updated until all of our metal buildings photos have been added. Click on the image below to see the maps…

Steel Building has Risen at Georgia Church

During the four nights leading up to the week before Christmas in 2009, approximately 1,800 people traveled to Glenloch Baptist Church, located just south of Roopville, GA, to embark on an outdoor walking tour of the little town of Bethlehem the way it may have appeared on the night of Jesus' birth.

Traveling past actors portraying lepers and beggars crowding the gate of the City of Bethlehem, participants persuaded soldiers to enter in order to register for the census. Beyond the gate, they navigated the marketplace as Mary and Joseph did more than 2000 years ago, while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of days gone past. Before them beckoned shops that sold bread, fruits and vegetables, oil and lamps, spices, and metal ware, as well as a weaver, basket maker and pottery shop.

All around families lived their everyday lives-eating their meals and tending to their animals. A couple named Mary and Joseph, who came to register for the census, took shelter in an animal stall, and Mary delivered a very special child.

At the end of the tour, visitors came upon a tomb. "There they heard about how Jesus came to earth as a babe, grew into a wonderful man who was also God, and gave his life for our sins," says Jo Creel, a member of Glenloch Baptist Church who is in charge of coordinating its creative arts programs. "The best part, which we save for last, is that he is no longer in the tomb. He is risen and lives in each of us who have accepted him as our Lord and Savior."

Creel and a dozen of the church's congregation began the work of transforming the grounds into "One Night in Bethlehem" during the late fall of last year, and part of that transformation included purchasing a pre-fabricated steel structure from SteelMaster Buildings, located in Virginia Beach, VA, to use as the tomb.

"We are always amazed at the creative ways that our customers make use of our buildings," says Michelle Wickum, the marketing director for SteelMaster Buildings. Each building utilizes a clear span design that offers 100 percent usable space along with the ease of construction that is provided by precision-made, pre-engineered building systems.

Creel says that visitors at the event are surprised when they learn what lies underneath the tomb's façade. "I don't think they realize that it is a steel building at all," says Creel. "If and when they do realize it, they are amazed."

The company's steel buildings include all the components necessary to erect a garage, a barn, a storage building, and even a building to be used as a makeshift tomb such as the one at Glenloch Baptist Church. The components are made to precise standards of accuracy for easy assembly, with pre-punched holes and only one size nuts and bolts for the entire building. The pre-engineered buildings are so simple to erect that more than 80 percent of customers construct their own building with huge labor cost savings.

The company's 30-Year Mill-Backed Warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT) ensures that the congregation at Glenloch Baptist Church can depend on the building during their production of "One Night in Bethlehem" for many years to come as they continue to entertain and enlighten members of their community in their mission to share their ministry with others.

Increase in Steel Salt Storage Buildings

Despite the warm weather here in Virginia Beach today, winter is just around the corner. As transportation officials prepare for the cold and snow, salt quickly becomes in high demand to keep the roads passable for travelers during the winter months. In fact, in 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that approximately 11 million tons of salt are used on roadways throughout the U.S. every winter.



The salt is effective for two reasons. First, it helps prevent ice from forming in the first place as salt water freezes at a lower temperature than pure water. Second, the salt bits can help break up ice that has already formed. When a car or truck drives over the salt bits, the weight of the vehicle pushes them downward and backward. These physical forces crack and shatter the ice. The friction also melts the ice and snow, allowing more of the salt to dissolve.



In the past, highway departments stockpiled salt outdoors during the winter months. In recent years, environmentalists and scientists have determined that when a salt pile gets wet, the run-off finds its way into nearby streams and lakes or seeps into groundwater supplies. Because of this, salt must now be stockpiled indoors in industrial storage units.



For the Abbruzzese Brothers - a landscape management company in Hilliard, Ohio - and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the need for a salt storage unit led them to SteelMaster Buildings, a provider of steel buildings and roofing systems located in Virginia Beach, VA.



Their decision to use a steel building to store their salt was based on many factors. Steel does not rot, warp, shrink, or split, and it's non-combustible. Steel is also easier to handle, stronger, and less expensive than any other common building material and weighs up to 60 percent less than wood members, which allows for easier transport and assembly.



Although salt is an extremely corrosive material, steel buildings manufactured by SteelMaster offer 100 percent usable space with a clear span arch design that eliminates beams and trusses, thus allowing for enough room to store a large, high pile of salt. The use of a stem wall foundation provides a raised platform for the walls, which helps create even more space for the salt, keeping it away from coming in contact with the steel structure. Flashing and gussets are also used to prevent the passage of water into the steel structure from any angle - an important component to help ensure that the salt stays dry, as dry salt is not nearly as corrosive as wet salt.



Anthony Moore and his brother Wayne own A & W Leasing Corporation in McKenzie, TN and have seven years experience utilizing SteelMaster steel buildings for salt storage through contracts awarded to them by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).



In 2003, they bought six SteelMaster Buildings for TDOT and built them themselves, a process Anthony says was not difficult at all. "SteelMaster buildings are priced right, made of top-quality steel, and are easy to construct," says Anthony. "Since we began building salt storage buildings for TDOT in 2003, we have put up eight SteelMaster buildings altogether for that purpose. Each building stores 2,200 tons of salt, and there is plenty of room for the dump trucks and front end loaders to get in there to dump the salt. I had a person from Pennsylvania call me back in August who was interested in buying a SteelMaster for the same purpose and wanted me to share my experiences with the buildings. I told him that we are very pleased with our eight salt storage units, as are the people at TDOT."



Steel structures for salt storage are becoming even more popular due the recent problems with other types of structures. Last year, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that 112 of their 146 salt storage structures must be repaired or replaced. The Beaver County Times reported that the steel-framed, engineered fabric building vendor that sold the structures to PennDOT advised that their buildings so not be used during severe weather including snow, sleet and high winds, all common weather elements for Pennsylvania during the winter. The Harrisonburg Patriot News reported that PennDOT would be tearing down and replacing the 112 storage structures because they may be in danger of collapsing.



As opposed to other structures, SteelMaster's steel buildings in particular remain maintenance free for a lifetime thanks to the company’s use of Galvalume Plus Coating which offers strength, superior corrosion resistance, and an attractive bright appearance that provides excellent heat reflectivity. Each SteelMaster Buildings also comes with a 30-year mill-backed warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT). A SteelMaster Buildings strength also resists fire, earthquake, and hurricane damage. In the spring of 2010, SteelMaster launched its new models that are stronger, better, and cost less than anything else on the market. With these new models, customers benefit from a stronger design that allows for the buildings to withstand higher wind and snow loads in a lower gauge, which allows for significant cost savings.



With thousands of satisfied customers, including buildings located in every state in the U.S., on six continents, and in more than 40 overseas countries, SteelMaster takes pride in knowing its steel buildings have earned the favor of not only the Abbruzzese Brothers and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, but also the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard, Departments of Corrections, Transportation and Defense, FBI, Public Works, DEA, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Steel Equipment Storage Buildings

When it Comes to Building a SteelMaster, There is No Place Like Home.

Smack dab in the middle of the United States is Kansas, which is often called the Heart of America. When many Americans think of Kansas, most likely two things come to mind: the movie "The Wizard of Oz" and tornadoes. But for Robert Williams and his wife who currently live in Olathe, KS, this Midwestern state is their home, so much so that they purchased a 10 acre plot of farm land in Pamona, KS (about 45 miles from Olathe) on which they intend to live out their retirement years.

After the Williams family bought their acreage in Pamona, they decided to build a shop on the property for equipment storage. "Before we bought our storage building, we kept our tractor and other equipment outside in the weather," says Robert.

Kansas is situated in what many consider to be "Tornado Alley" - an area where 90 percent of tornadoes spring to life because it is where cold, dry air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains meets warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and hot, dry air from the Sonoran Desert. The combination of these conditions along with atomospheric instability produces intense thunderstorms which can lead to tornadoes. Ninety-four tornadoes were reported in Kansas during 2010, and the record year for tornadoes in the state was in 2008 with 187 tornadoes confirmed.

With this information in mind, the Williams had to make sure that the storage building they bought could withstand the high winds that come with tornadoes.

"I saw a [SteelMaster building] and liked what I saw, so that is what we purchased to use as our farm storage building," says Robert.

For more than 28 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

"SteelMaster Buildings are engineered for life," says Michelle Wickum, the company's director of marketing. "Our steel buildings are also built to meet the wind loads of their destination whether that's in Kansas or on the coast of Florida. They remain maintenance free for a lifetime thanks to the company's use of Galvalume Plus Coating which offers strength, superior corrosion resistance, and an attractive bright appearance that provides excellent heat reflectivity." Each SteelMaster Building also comes with a 30-year mill-backed warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT).

Along with the help of his wife and two friends, Robert erected the steel building in November 2009 and finished by building the end walls in June of 2010. "I built the end walls using 2×6 lumber and red metal siding," says Robert. "The floor was poured as a monolithic 6? slab with thickened sides that sit on piers that are 12? diameter and 5 foot deep. The piers are placed every 6 foot around the perimeter of the building. I am pleased that all the material supplied with the building fit as designed, and I am pretty sure it will stand up to most of the weather Kansas can throw at it."

 Robert has this to say to others who are about to begin construction of their own SteelMaster building. "Read the construction manual, and then call the technical department at SteelMaster and tell them the size of your building and question them about the best method of putting the arches together. Also ask them to explain why it is so important to put the small angles on the curved sections to keep the curved sections from growing as you erect it."

In addition to storage buildings, SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including Garages, Workshops, Carports, Quonsets, Airplane Hangars, RV Storage, Military Buildings, Commercial Warehousing, and Industrial Storageas well as a wide variety of Custom Building applications including Athletic Facilities, Retail Stores, Churches, Bus Stops, Smoke Shacks, Doggie Dorms, and Correctional Facilities.

Visit us for more information at SteelMaster Buildings

Quonset Homes

We often get requests from customers wondering if our steel buildings can be used as a home. Of course they can! Quonset hutshave been used for homes since WWII. Below is a great article that highlights several Quonset Hut homes (including a couple from SteelMaster Buildings).

10 Really Cool Quonset Homes

In this poor housing market, quonset homes are popular with new homeowners as well as for retirees looking for an affordable way to move to a warmer climate. A quonset hut is an arch-style steel building that was used in World War II for equipment storage. Since then, quonset huts have been used as a less expensive metal building for equipment storage in commercial and agricultural settings. In today’s housing market, quonset hut homes are a popular option mainly because they’re less expensive to build or buy than other types of homes, and can be erected in less time.

Visit SteelMaster Buildings for more information.

Steel Building for Malvern Police

Four years ago, Hurricane Dean destroyed the historic police station and courthouse in the St. Elizabeth parish of Jamaica. The Malvern police station is now being replaced with a prefabricated steel building from SteelMaster Buildings. Read the full article from the Jamaica Observer below.

New and different station for stressed-out Malvern police

MALVERN, St Elizabeth - It looks like a large greenhouse or perhaps a warehouse. But police personnel in Malvern aren't complaining.

Four years after Hurricane Dean devastated the historic police station and courthouse, the Malvern police are eagerly awaiting completion of a rectangular, prefabricated galvanised structure just adjacent.

Since Hurricane Dean, law officers in this quiet highlands town have operated from a small, cramped room once used for Petty Sessions Court.

"We are really glad for it (new structure) and looking forward to moving in," District Constable Clifford Findlay, who has served the Malvern police for 27 years, told the Observer West on Monday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Derrick Cochrane, who heads the Police Area Four comprising St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon, told the Observer West that completion date was set for the end of September.

"I am told that it is 1,800 square feet in size which from the perspective of the police is larger than their previous space," Cochrane said yesterday.

"It will be all inclusive and it will have living accommodation," the Assistant Commissioner added.

"This comes as a great relief to the men and women serving in Malvern who have been greatly challenged for too long and have given yeoman service over all those years of discomfort and inconvenience," Cochrane said.

Efforts yesterday to get word from the Ministry of National Security regarding the cost of the project failed. However, back in 2009 when the foundation for the pre-fabricated building was being built the project cost was estimated by ministry officials at $8.5 million.

Back in 2009, then chief of police in St Elizabeth, Superintendent Merrick Watson, championed the need for a "proper" police station for the Malvern police region.

Describing it as crucial, he said: "We are talking about a very large area between Santa Cruz and Junction, which, while it is not a high crime area has a lot of people residing there including many returning residents. They require the constant presence of the police as a deterrent. So clearly there has to be a police station, properly structured and staffed, up and running," Watson said then.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the new building will not be used for court sessions.

The upper floor of the old building was a primary centre for court sessions in St Elizabeth prior to Hurricane Dean.

It’s unclear what is to be done with the standing shell of the old building. It dates back 120 years.

One man who will never forget the night the Malvern police station and courthouse collapsed under the fury of Hurricane Dean is barber, Cleon Fagan. He was sleeping in his shop as Dean raged. He awoke to find himself buried from toe to chest under rubble, including bricks and large stones from the neighbouring upper floor which housed the courthouse. He managed to dig himself out with a piece of steel and escaped with severe bruising and cuts.

SteelMaster Buildings offers you quality, durability and versatility within an architectural arch design that makes our structures the strongest on earth.