Morton designBUILD

For more than 100 years, in Morton, Ill., Morton Buildings Inc. (Morton) has been a trusted name in agricultural and residential construction, building its signature pre-engineered, post-frame structures across the country. More recently, the nationwide builder has diversified and Morton designBUILD has begun to pursue the light commercial market, delivering custom, cost-effective products more efficiently than ever before, from concept to completion.

From office buildings and restaurants to retail centers and churches, the company’s design-build team has extensive experience in constructing a variety of building sizes and styles. Post-frame construction offers flexibility in design and virtually unlimited options when it comes to layout, as well as being value-driven, energy efficient and strong.

Super-efficient from the beginning

“Morton started in 1903 as an interlocking fence company,” details Sean Marcotte, general manager of Morton designBUILD. “We were privately owned then and still are today and the company is still primarily an ag-based builder. We moved from fencing into building in 1947 and the company became its current inception in 1964. We were one of the first pre-engineered builders on the market.”

Over the last 20 years, Marcotte says Morton has taken on more residential and commercial-type construction as an environmentally efficient builder. “When people look at post-frame construction, they see it as the old way, but we’ve come a long way and we fit into the sustainable category,” he points out. “In fact, our buildings often exceed industry standards; they meet current energy codes and many are Energy Star-rated and LEED-certified; Morton designBUILD is building in a super-efficient way.”

A strong nationwide builder network

With 110 construction centers nationwide, operating in 42 states from the Rockies to the East Coast, Morton’s construction centers support Morton designBUILD’s sustainable mission. “We have six Morton manufacturing plants, so we’re not shipping long distances from any one plant strategically located across the country,” explains Marcotte. “The other advantage is we have our own sales force, design team and building crews that are trained Morton employees – there are approximately 2,500 nationwide and 75 Morton designBUILD service personnel.”

This greater Morton support network gives Morton designBUILD the in-house advantage. “We can handle everything in-house when it comes to the building shell; from the coordination of design and manufacturing of value engineered components to on-site project management, right on to completion,” assures Marcotte. “We deliver the full turnkey package and we excel at this in the light commercial arena.”

Driving value

Utilizing Morton’s assets and established network allows Morton designBUILD to not only deliver a turnkey product, but one backed with one of the best warranties in the business. “With everything handled in-house, including the manufacturing, we’re able to offer one of the strongest, non-pro-rated warranties on the market and exceptional quality control,” reveals Marcotte.

Morton pre-engineered components allow for customization without added design costs. “This is how we add value for our customers and it’s what we do day in and day out; cost-effective solutions through value-engineered components,” explains Marcotte.

Matt Milby, project manager and LEED AP for Morton designBUILD, says renewable energy clients have been a hot spot for the builder’s pre-engineered envelopes in recent years. “In Hopedale, Ill., we completed the operations facility for the Rail Splitter Wind Farm,” Milby shares. Furthermore, Morton designBUILD has also made ties with a number of wind farm owners across the country.

Making connections

Morton designBUILD continues to drive this value-added proposal home to more architects and designers, which was one of the company’s goals for its first trip to Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (Greenbuild). “We’re working to build connections with design professionals,” explains Marcotte.

As a recently approved American Institute of Architects (AIA) provider, offering continuing education courses and credits, Marcotte says the company is looking to extend its relationships in the design world. “Our proposal is: Let us wrap our building and management around your design,” he says. “If we can build these kinds of relationships, we’ll be in an even better positon.”

“Basically, we’re looking to grow our light commercial and design-build offering; get our name out there, so that Morton designBUILD is a source for added value,” adds Marcotte. “We’re also hoping to make relationships with new building product companies that fit our mold, as well.”

Backed by the strength of a 100-yearlong Morton Buildings Inc. reputation and a vast support network, Morton designBUILD continues to carve a commercial niche. When customers want a facility to do more with less, Morton designBUILD delivers.