When United Parcel Service (UPS) needed to expand their downtown Detroit package facility before the holiday rush, they faced a complex challenge that traditional construction methods couldn’t solve. The challenge demanded excellence: transform an active shipping hub with custom structural steel framing without disrupting daily operations, all before Thanksgiving. Schlosser, a design-based steel supplier, was up to the challenge.  

Traditional steel construction methods weren’t viable for this ambitious timeline. The project required leveraging the efficiency of pre-engineered metal buildings. Schlosser’s expertise in engineered metal building systems and Star Building Systems’ innovative rigid frame construction proved to be the perfect combination. 

The breakthrough was achieved using cutting-edge 3D laser scanning technology combined with advanced steel detailing. Rather than rely on conventional measurements, Schlosser’s team created a precise digital twin of the existing metal structure. This revolutionary approach allowed for custom-fabricated primary and secondary framing members that fit perfectly the first time;  – a crucial advantage when working with metal building components against a tight deadline. 

With the facility processing thousands of packages daily, the team orchestrated a carefully choreographed two-phase steel erection plan. Every element of the pre-engineered metal building system was designed around UPS’s operational workflow, from the clear-span rigid frame design to strategically positioned 17 dock doors and optimized conveyor systems. Local fabrication of standing seam metal roof panels and 26-gauge single skin metal wall panels ensured rapid delivery and energy efficiency, while the precise measurements from the 3D scans eliminated costly delays in steel erection. 

The results showcased the versatility of engineered metal building systems. As Thanksgiving approached, the expanded facility’s structural steel framework seamlessly integrated with the existing building, ready to handle the surge in holiday shipping. The project demonstrated how Schlosser’s innovative approach to pre-engineered metal construction and Star Building Systems’ expertise could transform even the most challenging projects into resounding successes. 

This wasn’t just about erecting a metal building addition, it was about delivering on a promise. Through the power of advanced technology, expert steel fabrication, and strategic planning, Schlosser Steel Buildings and Star Building Systems helped UPS prepare for their busiest season while setting new standards for metal building construction in the logistics industry. 

Project Specs 

Star Products: PEMB, Double-Lok Roof, PBR Walls, PBR Liners 

Location: 2115 Howard Street, Detroit, MI 48216 

Color: Walls: PBR-Saddle Tan and Light Stone, Liners: PBR-Polar White, Trims-Coffee Brown, Roof: DoubleLok-Charcoal Gray 

Square Footage: South Bldg: 6,674 sqft, West Bldg. 3,614 sqft, Total = 10,288 

Builder: Schlosser Steel Buildings, Inc. 153 Penn Ave. Hatfield, PA 19440 

Architect: CVM, 1002 West 9th Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406 

Steel Erector and Roofing Contractor: The Kemmerer Group, Inc. 1106 Station Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522 

General Contractor: GC: Ferrandino and Son, Inc., 71 Carolyn Boulevard, Farmingdale, NY 11735