As modern agricultural equipment continues to get larger and more sophisticated, the buildings that sell and service those massive earthmovers must do the same.
That’s why High Plains Equipment, an independent Case IH dealership in Devils Lake, N.D., decided to replace its existing cramped quarters with a spacious, state-of-the-art metal building.
“We needed to do this for our customers. It’s as simple as that,” says John Swenseth, the company’s owner/operator.
The new space—a 38,117-sf facility with a 7,950-sf second-level mezzanine—is three times the size of the former building, improving the dealership’s ability to serve its growing customer base.
Situated on a 22-acre site along U.S. Highway 2, the new building replaces the dealership’s existing 12,000-sf building located on a much less visible site.
“Now we get people stopping in here who didn’t even realize there was a Case IH dealer in town,” Swenseth says.
The project’s three buildings include a symmetrically gabled structure and two lean-to buildings, each braced by the gabled structure.
The facility’s large clear span enabled the installation of a dozen 25-foot service bays, twice as many and twice as large as in the previous facility.
The main structure also houses two 5-ton bridge cranes, each extending 175 feet and spanning 35 feet.
“The overhead cranes are making life easier and less strenuous for our technicians,” Swenseth says. “With more shop space, we’re able to hire more technicians and they can work inside instead of outside in the mud.”
Because technicians now have the space to work on more than one job at a time, productivity has been boosted. And the facility’s three overhead doors and dedicated wash bay contribute to improved operational efficiency.
“This is a very nice technical shop,” says Mike Dunn, business development manager of Construction Engineers Ltd., the Star builder in Grand Fork, N.D. “It includes floor heat and an air-conditioning system to keep the technicians comfortable year-round.”
The new facility also includes an expanded merchandise and display area as well as an indoor expo room and kitchen for hosting customer training clinics and community events.
“It’s a good experience for customers when they come in,” Swenseth says. “It’s big and open and clean and modern. They appreciate that.”
A fast-track, design-build construction schedule enabled the building team to complete the project in about eight months.
“We assembled a lot of the frames and the roof structure on the ground, and brought a crane onsite to lift larger portions of it into place to save time and increase safety on the project,” Dunn says. “We were able to take advantage of the short building season and meet the owner’s timeline to complete the building in time for the spring selling and service season.”
Related Stories
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 26, 2024
Adaptive Reuse Scorecard released to help developers assess project viability
Lamar Johnson Collaborative announced the debut of the firm’s Adaptive Reuse Scorecard, a proprietary methodology to quickly analyze the viability of converting buildings to other uses.
Security and Life Safety | Mar 26, 2024
Safeguarding our schools: Strategies to protect students and keep campuses safe
HMC Architects' PreK-12 Principal in Charge, Sherry Sajadpour, shares insights from school security experts and advisors on PreK-12 design strategies.
Green | Mar 25, 2024
Zero-carbon multifamily development designed for transactive energy
Living EmPower House, which is set to be the first zero-carbon, replicable, and equitable multifamily development designed for transactive energy, recently was awarded a $9 million Next EPIC Grant Construction Loan from the State of California.
Museums | Mar 25, 2024
Chrysler Museum of Art’s newly expanded Perry Glass Studio will display the art of glassmaking
In Norfolk, Va., the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Perry Glass Studio, an educational facility for glassmaking, will open a new addition in May. That will be followed by a renovation of the existing building scheduled for completion in December.
Sustainability | Mar 21, 2024
World’s first TRUE-certified building project completed in California
GENESIS Marina, an expansive laboratory and office campus in Brisbane, Calif., is the world’s first Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE)-certified construction endeavor. The certification recognizes projects that achieve outstanding levels of resource efficiency through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices.
Office Buildings | Mar 21, 2024
Corporate carbon reduction pledges will have big impact on office market
Corporate carbon reduction commitments will have a significant impact on office leasing over the next few years. Businesses that have pledged to reduce their organization’s impact on climate change must ensure their next lease allows them to show material progress on their goals, according to a report by JLL.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 21, 2024
Massachusetts launches program to spur office-to-residential conversions statewide
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently launched a program to help cities across the state identify underused office buildings that are best suited for residential conversions.
Legislation | Mar 21, 2024
Bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings in New York City
A recently introduced bill in the New York City Council would mandate solar panel installations on the roofs of all city-owned buildings. The legislation would require 100 MW of solar photovoltaic systems be installed on public buildings by the end of 2025.
Office Buildings | Mar 21, 2024
BOMA updates floor measurement standard for office buildings
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released its latest floor measurement standard for office buildings, BOMA 2024 for Office Buildings – ANSI/BOMA Z65.1-2024.