Kelowna-based Metal Structure Concepts has successfully designed and installed a new 16,000 sq. ft. custom built pre-engineered steel building for Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery. The building has been added to the distillery's existing storage facility in Vernon, BC.

Spirits are flowing thanks to a Kelowna-based steel building company that has helped an award-winning craft distillery grow its storage facilities.

Metal Structure Concepts (MSC) designed, supplied and erected a pre-engineered steel building for Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in Western Canada that uses Okanagan-grown fruit to craft more than 25 internationally awarded spirits.

The 16,720 sq. ft. steel structure in Vernon, BC has been built as an addition to an existing storage building, which MSC helped retrofit to connect it with the new building.

"We decided to have MSC help design and install the 16,000 sq. ft. addition to our existing storage facility in Vernon for three very important reasons: 1. They were a local Canadian company with a base right here in the Okanagan Valley. 2. They were extremely prompt and professional on answering any of our questions and also in coming up with solutions to logistical and structural issues. And 3. They were honest and every aspect of what they did or represented was done with the highest standards of integrity," says Okanagan Spirits CEO Tyler Dyck.

Led by MSC owner Steve Ivanitz and assisted by consultant Rob Penny, MSC worked closely with Dyck in making sure all specifications and requirements for the building were met before any construction began.

"We took them step-by-step through the project and answered all their questions on how we could connect the two buildings and what engineering would be required," says Penny. "This is part of the service MSC provides. Steve cares about all of his projects, wants to do quality work, and wants his customers to be informed on all aspects of the job."

With a design plan in hand, MSC worked with Vernon-based Bourcet Engineering in providing the site planning and elevations and sent all of its plans to pre-engineered building fabricator American Building Company to manufacture the parts.

"We used them because the existing building was also manufactured by them. We wanted the same colors and to have a good tie-in, so that both buildings matched and fit with each other. We matched the roof colors and gutters (hunter green), and the sheeting (sandstone) for a seamless look," says Penny, adding KCW Construction set the concrete foundation.

With the main purpose of the building being storage, the 110-by-152 ft. structure has a 25-foot roof clearance inside that allows for three pallets to be stacked atop one another, while center row columns made from steel anchored to cement provide a wide-open space. The building also features custom steel building touches such as a covered loading bay, which features a roof and open walls. MSC also did some roof work on the existing building so that it matched with the new building. The R20-rated insulated building also features a fire rated end wall.

All together it took 12-14 weeks for the parts to be manufactured and only 30 days for the building to then be erected.

"We had a tight schedule so it was important for us to be on time and on budget," says Penny. "That is one of the reasons why MSC gets orders over other vendors. When our estimators come up with metal building prices, they think through everything so that there are no extras, and we always try our best to deal with unforeseen challenges."

The result is another satisfied MSC client.

"The team at MSC worked seamlessly with our contractor and with myself, and helped enable our project to hit all building timelines and expectations without a glitch. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who is thinking of going the metal structure route for their building. You will not be disappointed," says Dyck.