Why Choose MSC: A Steel Building Legacy of Quality and Service
This 25,000-square-foot steel building frame is the bones of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation community ice rink, which is being constructed by MSC using Nucor sustainable steel.
Steve and Corey Ivanitz, co-owners of Metal Structure Concepts, have been immersed in the steel building world since childhood. The trade is built into the DNA of the Ivanitz family, which has worked in the industry since the 1960s.
“It's ingrained in us, from growing up watching steel buildings be built in our family—grandpa, uncles, fathers—they all worked in the steel industry in some form or function,” says co-owner Steve Ivanitz.
The family legacy shines through and makes Steve beam with pride when another metal building project is completed. It’s that deep-seated passion that the cousins bring to Western Canada daily through steel building projects with MSC.
But while the Ivanitz cousins' MSC story starts in childhood, the expertise, customer care, and industry knowledge that set the steel building company apart have been built over decades of hands-on experience.
Selecting suppliers: service, quality, cost
Just like a great marriage or a lifelong best friend, strong supplier relationships take work, time, and commitment. With that in mind, it's not a coincidence that some of MSC’s suppliers have been with them from the beginning.
“We foster those relationships from both sides—they value it, and so do we,” says Steve.
When it comes to how MSC selects suppliers, we look for the same characteristics that we offer our clients—excellent customer service and quality.
“We want our partners to provide us with the best customer service they can—that's number one,” says Steve.
Next, the quality of materials is paramount, followed by price. Using those three benchmarks, MSC is able to build strong relationships with some of the best suppliers in the steel building sector and share that standard with our clients.
“It is an aggressive market, and we regularly have suppliers chasing us to use their products, but we value the relationships with our long-standing partners above all,” Steve says.
“Working in construction always presents new challenges, and when they arise, you want to be able to rely on strong supplier relationships to get the job done right.”
Sustainable steel
MSC partners are not only among the most reputable North American manufacturers in the metal building industry; they’re doing their part for a greener future.
Partners like sustainable steel makers Nucor manufacture 77-100% recycled steel products and are on the path to net zero by 2050.
Current pre-engineered steel building projects using Nucor recycled steel include:
Nadleh Whut’en First Nation Community Ice Rink - Fraser Lake, B.C.
This 25,000-square-foot community ice rink for the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation will be a multi-purpose upgrade to the current community facilities. Currently in the framing stage, it is expected to be completed in up to 54 working days.
The building includes an eight-foot cantilevered canopy which is a continuation of the roof at the high eave that runs the full building length and includes a soffit (the material beneath the eave connecting the far edge of the roof to the exterior wall).
The canopy is designed to allow a wall to be attached to the underside in the future, which will be installed by separate contractors.
Community buildings are some of the most rewarding projects that MSC takes on. Steel's durability and versatility make it the perfect material for creating a long-lasting, impactful investment in the community.
J.H. Huscroft Ltd. Sawmill - Creston, B.C.
Family-owned and operated since 1927, MSC is proud to have multiple steel building projects for J.H. Huscroft Ltd. This Nucor recycled steel building is a mill sorter will help the Huscroft family continue their softwood and specialty timber products legacy in beautiful B.C.
This multi-part building with four parts totalling 16,854 square feet and is scheduled to start mid-September.
Clients come first
When it comes to customer care, Steve makes the same three things he looks for in his suppliers the priority for customers: customer service, quality, and cost.
“I would like customers to look at us in the same way as our suppliers: service, quality, and prices,” Steve says. Repeat business is always service-oriented. People think, ‘They were a great team, great to work with,’ and so they come back again.”
The right solution, no matter what
Part of what sets MSC’s customer service standard apart is that owners Steve and Corey are deeply invested not in selling steel buildings but in finding the best solution for a potential client—even if that means it isn’t with MSC.
“Corey and I spend an enormous amount of time guiding customers to the right choice, even if it means MSC will not be the provider,” Steve explains. “We want people to find the best solution for their home or business regardless.”
Warranty that raises the bar
MSC is in it for the long haul with our clients. A three-year warranty is rolled into the essence of MSC customer care, going above and beyond the one-year standard you’ll find with many others.
“We value relationships above all, and that’s why we have a written three-year guarantee,” Steve explains.
Community
When it comes to community and charitable giving, many companies are happy to cut a cheque and move on.
While MSC gives back to the local community through donations and other charitable initiatives, zooming out to look at the bigger picture, MSC’s community impact is much more nuanced thanks to the nature of our services, where working across provinces helps keep Canada’s economy moving.
“Because we’re spread out geographically, we are constantly supporting local economies through our willingness to service customers across Western Canada and also in the north,” Steve says.
“We’ll take on projects that are small or extremely remote, so when our crews are on the job, they’re also supporting local businesses when they go out to eat, use local gas stations, and call a new community home for a period of time.”
“It’s really about the team”: Experience and expertise
Beyond having been raised in the pre-engineered steel buildings industry, MSC has existed as a company for over 20 years. That breadth of experience combined has given Steve and Corey the insights to understand what works and what doesn’t.
“One of the reasons we’re experts is that our time in the industry has given us the experience to make mistakes and learn from them,” Steve explains.
“We’ve been through the wringer and have learned what to look for in suppliers, how to manage relationships, and, importantly, how to assemble a stellar team to get the job done—it’s really about the team.”
The team Steve refers to extends from the ground crews to the designers, project managers, and office players who help keep everything running smoothly.
“Everyone we work with has been vetted and chosen because they’re the best for the job.”
Vision
Experience and expertise mean that cookie-cutter is not the standard. While sometimes the best steel building for the job is standard and simple, our designers, project managers, and preferred ground crews can bring your vision to life no matter how large, complex, or remote.
The result is pre-engineered steel buildings that benefit your business through lower initial and maintenance costs, greater design flexibility, and faster occupancy.
Safety
Expertise also means safety. Realising a complex vision is meaningless if the construction isn’t completed safely and up to code.
By being well-versed in safety practices and certifications, MSC can tackle complex or potentially risky job sites that other crews may be unable to.
By remaining true to these standards of quality and service, MSC has thrived for over twenty years and plans to continue shaping the face of Western Canada for many, many more.
Metal Structure Concepts has been designing and constructing steel buildings across Canada for over 20 years. From retail spaces to warehouses to wineries and more, we are the experts for your next project. Contact us today for a free quote.