Business - Business News

POSTED: Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Ferndale building company refurbishing two abandoned structures

Each week The Bellingham Herald takes a closer look at a business or construction project. This week: Pioneer Post Frame.

What it is: Pioneer Post Frame designs and builds post frame structures for commercial, residential and agricultural purposes. Each building is made according to the specifications of the owner. The company constructs about 60 buildings a year, said Owner Doug Scoggins.

Ownership: Doug Scoggins.

Employees: 20

What's new: Pioneer Post Frame recently took over two abandoned blue buildings that can be seen from Interstate 5, just south of Ferndale. The company plans to turn the existing units into multi-use commercial contract units, add office spaces and provide freeway signage for tenants. The buildings had been dormant for three years, and "we're bringing them back to life," Scoggins said.

What makes it different: "Everything is tailor-made for the customer," controller Jenni Cox said. Most other companies sell "kits" - buildings that follow a specific design pre-set by the building company. Pioneer Post Frame builds structures according to each customer's request. "No building is too big or small," Cox said.

While other companies specialize in traditional stick frame buildings, pole buildings or steel frame buildings, Pioneer Post Frame has created a hybrid system of all three building types. The hybrid system is cost-effective and better for the environment, Cox said. Instead of putting the poles directly into the ground, the company uses a steel bracket system which creates a stronger, longer-lasting structure, she said.

Pioneer Post Frame

6208 Portal Way

Ferndale, WA

380-4436

pioneerpostframe.com