Mahaffey Blog

Space needs change quickly. If you find yourself needing more room for a short-term project, a clear span structure can provide that space quickly and efficiently.

The term “clear span” describes a structure with an unobstructed interior. Rather than relying on internal columns for structural support, a clear span structure is supported entirely by the external framework. This provides more usable space, making it the perfect solution for construction sites, break areas, warehouses and more.

You have two main options to add a clear span structure to your site: leasing or purchasing. Though each provides unique benefits, leasing may be your best option if your focus is on the bottom line. Here are five reasons why leasing a temporary or semi-permanent clear span structure is more cost-efficient than buying.

Temporary or semi-permanent fabric structures can be time- and money-saving solutions for any industry, from manufacturing and construction to education and military.

When you embark on a new project, your needs can change quickly. Suddenly you may find yourself renovating a building with no protection from the winter weather, stuck with limited workspace and new pandemic guidelines for your employees or in immediate need of temporary storage for a highly-sensitive product. You need a solution to keep things on track — and fast.

Enter: Mahaffey Fabric Structures.

Our clear span fabric structures can be completely customized, able to adapt to the quickly-changing needs of your project. We can build a structure to fit any space — whether you need to attach it to an existing building or even place one on top of a skyscraper. Your custom fabric structure can include virtually any accessory system the project may require, such as flooring, lighting and climate control. And when you need to expand, reduce, dismantle or relocate it, these structures can be quickly redesigned to match your new needs.

Though used for temporary purposes, fabric structures have a longer lifespan than steel, able to last for 20 years without needing repairs from rust or corrosion. They’ll even withstand heavy snow, rain and wind so that your project stays on schedule.

Custom fabric structures are commonly used as temporary warehouses, aircraft hangars, base camps, living facilities and lunch tents. However, the uses don’t stop there. When it comes to our custom clear span fabric structures and expert team, the sky is the limit. Here are four unique use cases for custom fabric structures:

Since the onset of COVID-19, manufacturing companies have faced new challenges to keep up with both the new demands and slowed operations in each industry. Some companies are ramping up production while others need storage for produced inventory suddenly lacking demand. Businesses across all industries are requiring increased space to practice social distancing while getting back to work. For decades, Mahaffey USA has been solving issues like this for companies of all sizes — with the unique needs brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mahaffey’s solutions are helping clients navigate the new norm.

Large construction projects involve expensive equipment, large crews, multiple stakeholders and lengthy timeframes. With so many moving parts, complications and unexpected costs are guaranteed. According to a report by McKinsey Global Institute, large-scale projects typically take 20 percent longer than scheduled and can be up to 80-percent over budget.

But with today’s innovative job site solutions, complications and hidden costs don’t have to slow you down or diminish returns on your next project. Temporary structures are an ideal solution to protect your site, equipment, crews and your bottom line.

In the manufacturing industry, business is booming. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, “Demand for manufactured goods remained strong at the end of 2017, which was a strong year for growth in factory orders, up a whopping 8.4 percent year-over-year in December.”

While growth may be good for your business, this heightened level of demand can have unintended consequences on your bottom line. As a business continuity solution, temporary structures are key to fast growth with minimal capital expense.

One of the first lessons in woodworking is “Measure twice, cut once.” This advice applies whether you’re dealing with a hobby project in your workshop or a massive capital construction project.

But, even with all the measuring and planning in the world, sometimes things just don’t go according to plan.

In business, growth is good, but sometimes, rapid expansion can force you to grow your facilities faster than it seems concrete can even set. When you need more space but can’t slow down to build it, what do you do to keep your business covered in today’s fast-paced economy?

Oftentimes, our clients seek the customization and turnkey installation of a temporary structure to solve a particular problem. This means our solution must work seamlessly and make sure not to create additional work that would reduce productivity. By analyzing five areas of management that most affect efficiency, we’ve identified how to stay on track and maximize productivity by 40-60 percent.

Winter will be here before we know it, and now is the time to plan for the harsh climates and unpredictable precipitation that come with it.