Archive for September, 2008

VersaTube provides covered walkway for Ford Airport construction

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., July 31, 2008 — VersaTube® Building Systems, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered steel framing components and systems, was recently chosen by The Christman Company, a construction services and management company based in Lansing, Mich., to provide a temporary covered walkway system for use during major construction and facility improvements currently underway at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The covered walkway system provides a necessary “safety zone” corridor for travelers and pedestrians entering and exiting the terminal building, offering protection from both construction debris and the outside elements. The system layout consists of a primary curbside 20-foot wide by 660-foot long walkway canopy and a series of connecting “tunnels” ranging from 160 feet to 300 feet in length. The VersaTube® design allows for quick disassembly and relocation of a connecting “tunnel” along the primary walkway to correspond with the area of the terminal building under construction at the time. The flexibility to move these corridors as needed, as well as the system’s future use at other construction locations on the airport property, adds considerable value and benefit that was immediately recognized and appreciated by on-site project managers.

The Christman Company is a full-service construction services firm, offering construction management, general contracting, design/build, real estate development, and facilities planning/consulting. Founded in 1894 with headquarters in Lansing, Mich., The Christman Company has grown to become one of the Midwest’s leading construction firms, ranked 164th in the 2008 Engineering News-Record ENR 400 list of top contractors nationally. For more information, visit www.christmanco.com.

VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn., and in Guadalupe, Ariz., near Tempe, offers complete engineering and design services to construction management companies, general contractors, and architects for 50-foot wide and under clear span structures ranging from simple canopy shelters to enclosed building solutions. Custom configurations and applications are available.

VersaTube® designs, manufactures, distributes and markets pre-engineered steel framing components and systems for residential, agricultural, commercial, and light industrial building and shelter applications. The heart of the VersaTube® Building System is a patented “Slip-Fit” connection that simplifies assembly of structural steel frames, thereby reducing construction time. This also allows for the system to be designed with frame components that are manageable in size for easy handling and compact packaging.

Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® Building Systems’ website at www.VersaTube.com. For more information, contact Gregg Rezabek, VersaTube® Building Systems, (800) 900-7222, extension 314 or grezabek@versatube.com.

VersaTube Lends a Hand to NBC Today Show Charity

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., April 21, 2008 – VersaTube® Building Systems joined The Today Show last week as a contributor to Al Roker’s seventh annual “Lend A Hand Today” program that assists charities in need across the country.

Based in Collierville, Tenn., VersaTube®, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered galvanized steel tube framing components and building systems, donated a complete all-vertical steel storage garage measuring 20 x 20 x 10 to the Idaho Youth Ranch, one of the “Lend A Hand Today” charities located in Rupert, Idaho.

VersaTube® Building Systems answered the call to get involved in the “Lend A Hand Today” program when The Today Show contacted Lowe’s, a nationally recognized home improvement retailer that sells VersaTube® garages, carports and loafing sheds.

“The Idaho Youth Ranch was in need of a large storage facility to house various items and equipment,” said Tim Soder, President, VersaTube® Building Systems.  “They also needed assistance in erecting and installing the building on site at the ranch.”

The donation, including materials, freight and labor, retailed for $8,000.  J. Rhode Building Systems, an authorized VersaTube® Building Systems dealer based in Caldwell, Idaho, donated the project supervision and labor involved in assembling and installing the steel building.

“The shed will provide many years of good use,” said Dustin Larna, operations manager, Idaho Youth Ranch.  “I am very impressed with VersaTube® as a company and a building system.  Their customer service is second to none.  The building looks great and is much more solid than I expected.  I don’t know why anyone would build with wood instead of using the VersaTube® system.”  Larna continued, “The crew that installed the building was very fast and professional.  I have been and will continue to recommend VersaTube’s® services and products to anyone in the market for a shop or garage.  Thanks for a great building.”

The building was presented and revealed live on The Today Show on the program’s debut day, April 14, 2008, by Soder of VersaTube® Building Systems, and Jesse Rhode of J. Rhode Building Systems.

“The decision to answer the call was easy,” Soder said.  “We have always looked for ways to support not only the community in which we are based, but also the communities that support us nationally.  And when we learned of what the Idaho Youth Ranch provides for children in need, we didn’t even have to think about it.  We immediately began determining how to make it happen.”

The Idaho Youth Ranch (IYR) site near Rupert, Idaho, is a non-profit, non-denominational, residential treatment home with 24-hour supervision for at-risk youth typically affected by neglect or abuse at home, family conflict, mental health issues, substance abuse and/or juvenile crime.  The unique ranch environment allows youth to participate in activities that support and impact emotional and social needs through counseling, education, 4-H, and horsemanship.  The IYR operates five other residential homes in Idaho, and provides family counseling, adoption services, and foster care training.  Revenue from 24 IYR Thrift Stores located throughout the state supports the homes, programs and services.

VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn. and in Guadalupe, Ariz. near Tempe, designs, manufactures, distributes and markets pre-engineered steel framing components and systems for residential, agricultural, commercial, and light industrial building and shelter applications.  The heart of the VersaTube® Building System is a patented “Slip-Fit” connection that simplifies assembly of structural steel frames, thereby reducing construction time.  This also allows for the system to be designed with frame components that are manageable in size for easy handling and compact packaging.

Applications for VersaTube’s® framing systems include DIY storage buildings for the homeowner, structures for RV and boat storage, horse barns and animal shelters, buildings for indoor athletic uses, and structures for start-up and expanding businesses.

Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® Building Systems’ website at www.VersaTube.com.  Dealer inquiries welcome.