(This 40,000-square-foot project was contracted by Centrex Construction in Tigard for a customer in Sisters | Photo by Altan James, courtesy of Centrex)
A 225-square-foot building for a natural gas company, a Willamette Valley organic winery facility, a 45,000-square-foot bill processing center for a Bend-based technology company, an airplane hangar, and a riding arena — “I can’t think of any use that we haven’t accommodated,” said Rob Boaz, owner of Web Steel Buildings Northwest.
“Our tallest structure so far has a 60’ eave height,” he added. “It was designed for a manufacturing facility to accommodate a ten-ton crane moving very large equipment.” (To compare, a semi-truck combining a tractor and trailer is about 60 feet long, as is a bowling alley.)
Located in Sandy, Oregon, the company has a roster of clients extending from Oregon and Washington to Idaho, California, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, and even Florida. Anticipating additional demand for its pre-engineered frame systems, Boaz is now investing “in a lot of new equipment to speed up production.”
Boaz joined forces with the enterprise — when it first started up in 1989 — after devoting himself to the wine and restaurant business for 12 years. “I thought of this as something new and appealing,” he said, “It spoke to my entrepreneurial spirit.” Advancing steadily from a salesperson position, Boaz ended up buying the company in 2006.
Under his direction, Web Steel Buildings Northwest has experienced a “meteoric rise” — multiplying its growth eight times, and experiencing double-digit increases every year since 2013.
“I’m not going to take all the credit,” Boaz emphasized, “We have a great team and a good economy. And despite facing a lot of competition, primarily from large operations, our advantage is being able to respond to customer concerns very quickly from our Pacific Northwest location.”
He cited a recent example. “This morning, one of our employees left in his truck with a box of tools and a portable welder, and drove three hours to fix a problem (specifically with base plates connecting columns with the concrete foundation of a building). We have the ability to go anywhere, anytime, if customers are having an on-site issue, as opposed to them waiting three weeks — as can be the case with larger companies — to get things right. Anyone can sell you a building,” noted Boaz, “Counting on the individual or the company to respond when you have a question or problem is another matter entirely.”
He also noted that Web Steel Buildings Northwest, unlike any other manufacturer, offers three distinctly different steel framing systems — Delta, Vaulted Clearspan Truss, and Rigid Frame — as well as hybrid options. “Whether their span is 16’ or 180’, we help customers find a solution that precisely meets their needs.”
“I get a lot of satisfaction in working with our team to see a project come to life, and help customers realize their dream — from people like you and me to architects, engineers, and contractors” he said, “Even when there are problems or issues, we’re able to come up with a way to move forward.”
Boaz added that “We like complex projects — as opposed to simply providing ‘shade and shelter’ — and know that’s a good niche for us. So in addition to using steel as our primary building material — because of its strength, stability, and sustainability — we can also incorporate a combination of brick, wood, glass, stucco, and stone in our designs for economy and flexibility.”
Making an important distinction from other companies that provide installation for the structures they sell, Boaz said that although “we make it, we don’t build it.”
As the company’s website explains: Web Steel Buildings are precision designed and manufactured for quick and easy bolt-together assembly. They include comprehensive structural plans stamped by the company’s licensed engineers, along with concrete foundation design and building calculations — which makes permit approval and communication with contractors easier.
“From frames to fasteners, we give our customers everything they require to construct their buildings,” said Boaz.
Stimulated by the company’s diverse client base, Boaz admitted that “I love doing wineries, and we have been involved in all phases of this business from fermentation to vats, tasting rooms, and storage. We’re also proud to be part of Nature’s Window, a 9,000-square-foot museum of wildlife, natural history, and art located in Chelan, Wash. which features 180 animal specimens.”
On the residential side, Web Steel Building Northwest has branched out into barndominiums (metal buildings that combine the living area of a home with the working space of a shop or workshop), which are growing in popularity across the country.
“I sometimes ask myself, ‘How the heck did I get into this?’” said Boaz. “But then we become involved in a new project — such as one being undertaken by OSU to harness the energy of wave action deep on the ocean floor, and convert it into power. Or we hear from clients that our building exceeded their expectations, and they are proud to show it off — and the gratification we all feel at Web Steel Buildings answers my question.”
“Supplying buildings that are strong and low maintenance, with a weather-tight fit — while also offering design flexibility, exacting standards of manufacturing, and superior customer service throughout the construction phase — that’s what sets Web Steel Buildings apart from other companies on the market,” Boaz reiterated. “I give my people a lot of credit for the reputation we’ve established.”
“And as we like to emphasize, whether talking to a do-it-yourselfer, an RV dealership, a city’s public works department, or a school district, what we deliver is “more than a building — it’s a solution.’”
