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Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, post-frame buildings were an independent breed. They continued to come up with new designs. The buildings became larger, and clear spans increased from 20- and 30-ft. to 8- ft. and more. But growing industries also meet with growing pains. Common problems and obstacles were aplenty. The time had come for unity.

On a cold November day in 1969, 20 Midwestern post-frame builders gathered in Chicago to discuss building code changes that would directly affect their businesses. Some of them were competitors and knew each other well. Some of them were total strangers. But they had one thing in common – a desire to fight for their livelihoods, and the post-frame building.

The future of the post-frame building was being threatened by a pending Indiana building code. Freemon Borkholder of Borkholder Buildings, Inc. rallied others who saw that post-frame structures were moving beyond agricultural applications. Many builders had moved heavily into commercial and industrial building using the post-frame building concept. But a move by Indiana’s Administrative Building Council to adopt the BOCA code for commercial applications threatened the industry, because it did not include post-frame building design concepts.

Borkholder knew that, acting as a team, post-frame builders would be heard. “We would be banding together with our voices to be heard as an association, instead of individual builders,” he said. “If you tried to go to the building council as an individual, it wouldn’t carry clout with them. But as a group, and with everyone in harmony as an association, it meant that the industry was speaking.”

With the help of Jim Picha of HNP Industries, Borkholder gathered the Chicago group together. The group agreed that if the BOCA codes were adopted, the result would be a ruling stating that “continuous concrete foundations” be required for all wood-frame commercial building erected in Indiana.

“Just by the virtue of the way it was written, our type of building would not fit these code rules.” Said Ed Bahler Sr. of Remington, Ind. It was clear that the repercussions of the ruling would be devastating to the post-frame industry, because the structural advantages of post frame made such foundations unnecessary.

The group appointed a planning committee consisting of Borkholder, Bahler, Bill Uphoff, Bob Moore, and Ronald Pretzer. They were a group, set to take action, but with no official name.

After much discussion, the name National Frame Building Association (NFBA) was selected. With the establishment of a name, the association pushed onward. Bahler recollected, “We contacted our state congressman and explained our situation. We contacted our supplier people because a lot of them were very influential. They saw that we had begun to develop a really big market and they didn’t want to lose that either.”

The association also contacted engineers, and with their help, the builders were able to detail their code space and demonstrate that the structures would meet the load laws of the roof and other necessary applications. NFBA brought on Merrill Jones, an architect; to help with Indiana-adopted UBC codes, instead of the BOCA codes. Unfortunately, UBC did not mention foundation criteria. Merrill drafted new specifications on post-frame construction for commercial buildings and submitted them to Indiana’s Administrative Building Council. Eventually, Merrill was successful in convincing the council to adopt his specifications. This was the first taste of success for the young association. Its existence had made a difference to the industry. The association took off from there and established itself as a national group.

Over the years, NFBA has made all the difference in keeping post-frame builders in business. If it weren’t for the association’s many actions, which include funding research, advocacy and development of design standards, post-frame builders would be confined to just building on the farm. One of the association’s primary objectives is to promote education and research, and disseminate information concerning all facets of post-frame construction use.

The main goal of the new organization was to establish the credibility of the post-frame concept, and of its members. In addition to promoting code acceptance of the design, the association developed a standard for the conduct of fair business by its members. Known as the NFBA “Standards of Professional Conduct,” this code of ethics stipulates that each NFBA member should exercise the utmost integrity in all business transactions, promote professionalism and honesty, stand behind their work and preserve customer trust and good faith. This made NFBA the first point of contact for customers looking for a reputable post-frame builder, and customer referrals a primary benefit of membership. NFBA has also funded research to establish acceptable construction standards for post-frame buildings.

Another innate benefit of an association’s existence is that it forms a central gathering point for the industry. This allows members to build many strategic relationships across the country that pay tremendous dividends. For instance, because members voluntarily adhere to the NFBA Standards of Professional Conduct, builders will seek to do business with suppliers and design professionals who are also members. They may not wish to talk about a problem they are facing with a competitor nearby, but they might find a great solution to that same problem using the membership network to learn from fellow members across the country. Members also meet other industry professionals at regular association events, and often form strategic relationships that may result in preferred pricing or new business opportunities.

Over the decades, NFBA has developed numerous other benefits and services to help members enhance and grow their businesses. NFBA provides industry reports and important industry news to members, keeping them up-to-date. Educational materials and seminars keep members ahead of their competition.

NFBA has developed a wide array of customized marketing tools, including videos and brochures that members regularly use to sell the post-frame concept to new customers. They are available at prices that are less than it would cost the typical member to develop and print, and they sell buildings. Only members may use these promotional materials.

NFBA has developed a Web site that serves members in several ways. It facilitates communication between members, by providing forums and other Internet-based tools that members can use to communicate with each other. It provides resources available to members only, including downloadable documents useful in your business and programs to calculate load requirements. It provides continuously updated news and industry information and live weather maps and forecasts. It even allows you to check your e-mail from the web site. It also directs business to members. People who are looking for a post-frame builder, supplier, or design professional use the NFBA web site to find a qualified professional in their area.

NFBA provides substantial assistance to members in the area of health and safety. NFBA has developed safety training materials that members may use to conduct regular safety meetings and to document safety training. The association authored a comprehensive OSHA Compliance Guide to explain basic safety requirements in plain English, and a company safety manual prototype that members may customize to meet OSHA requirements. The association has also developed several safety training videos to help members quickly orient new workers to safety requirements before they step foot on a job site.

The first benefit provided by the association - that of industry advocacy – continues to this day. Public representatives in some local areas continue to attempt to prohibit post-frame buildings in specific areas, as they are unaware of the longevity and aesthetic flexibility of post-frame buildings. NFBA has developed a brochure to address common misconceptions that post-frame buildings are by nature unattractive, temporary structures. Many people look at buildings every day without realizing that they are post-frame, because they have exterior cladding that is not fabricated from sheet metal. They are often mistaken for other kinds of buildings. Wood siding, vinyl siding, lightweight cement block siding, brick, stucco, and almost any other type of cladding may be used inside and out. Virtually any look is possible using post-frame. NFBA fights daily to correct those who propagate the misconception that all are temporary and unattractive farm buildings.

Industry suppliers and building material dealers have recently taken a stronger and more active role in the association. NFBA now organizes the post-frame industry’s only annual meeting specifically for suppliers, the NFBA Supplier Summit. This event allows suppliers and dealers to meet together to discuss common concerns, learn business insights from invited builders, build strategic relationships and study the industry. NFBA has funded research to determine the size and scope of the post-frame industry, and produced industry statistics that suppliers and distributors can use to plan marketing and future growth.

The association also sponsors the annual NFBA Frame Building Expo, where builders, suppliers and design professionals gather annually to see new products, build strategic relationships, and learn. The Expo features the best educational programming in the industry, opportunities for networking and growth, and exciting events in fun locations.

NFBA’s history is just beginning. As the post-frame industry grows, so will its only national non-profit trade group. The association owes its existence to its members and volunteer leaders who dedicated their personal time and resources. The association’s success is a reflection of the character of those dedicated individuals. With their continued support, and that of future generations, the future of the post-frame industry remains bright.