Fullerton Building Systems (FBS)
Providing Complete Custom Prefabricated Turnkey Solutions in Dry Construction

Recent years have witnessed a remarkable transformation in the construction sector, with innovation and adaptability becoming the deciding factors for success. These transformations are driven by multiple challenges, including a shortage of skilled labor, particularly in the masonry trades, caused by an aging workforce.

Amid this industry shift, Fullerton Building Systems (FBS) emerges as a problem solver for construction companies. The firm is propelled by adaptability, cutting-edge technology, and a profound understanding of the evolving landscape. It is not only confronting the labor shortage but has found ingenious ways to overcome it.

Whether it is soaring inflation and historically high funding costs or timing and scheduling issues that hinder construction companies, FBS helps their customers overcome these challenges with cost-effective solutions, mitigate onsite safety risks, control quality, and reduce the construction schedule enabling customers to open 60 days sooner than traditional construction. FBS offers fully finished custom prefabricated building packages with value engineering and streamlined processes, mitigating the number of subcontractors required onsite.

“FBS operates onsite for a mere four to five days and ensures a clean, completed project, enabling clients to start their business operations sooner,” says Scott Pairolero, President at Fullerton Building Systems.

FBS is a third-generation, family-owned business headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, with manufacturing plants in Minnesota and Oklahoma. FBS provides a factory-controlled environment with a skilled workforce. It offers a custom turnkey solution for structural design, material procurement, manufacturing, loading trucks, and field installation.

FBS stands out from traditional construction by fully controlling the structural design and building process. It actively engages early in the design phase, utilizing their own design team in addition to collaborating closely with customer architects and engineers. Once FBS structural plans and production designs are finalized, it uses automated saws to cut all sizes of lumber, minimizing lumber waste to less than one percent.

Working concurrently with the General Contractor, FBS starts onsite erection as soon as foundations are prepared, completing projects for brands like Starbucks, Panera, Taco Bell, and Chase Bank in just a week. This rapid pace surpasses traditional construction in terms of quality, speed, and efficiency.

"Our climate-controlled plant is a big advantage, allowing us to build buildings on any day of the year, not encumbered by weather or other factors. We can use the same experienced production crew for projects across the country. For example, we can use the same production crew to build a Starbucks in California and New York,” says Mike Cousineau, board member and business advisor at Fullerton Building Systems.

This consistency fosters shared learning and best practices development, ensuring the team understands client needs and delivers quality results.

FBS handles diverse brand collaborations with different building footprint sizes and wall height requirements. Some projects even involve structural steel components. Its portfolio ranges from 1000 to 14,000 square feet, influenced by complexity, wall heights, exterior finishes, and partners involved. FBS has their own site technician on every installation, who oversees the field installation, ensures alignment with the plan, and conducts thorough walkthroughs for client satisfaction. They work closely and partner with the general contractor for all projects.

The FBS process is dynamic and responsive, which begins with understanding client needs, providing budget estimates, and entering into a design service agreement to complete the structural engineering. FBS then proceeds with a contract, material procurement, and production. Finished panels are shipped and erected on site, with final reviews and project completion. This minimizes changes to the initial quote, ensuring a cost-effective and efficient construction process.

Safety is paramount in FBS’s innovative approach, which uses 30-inch-high framing tables with panels laying down instead of utilizing scaffolding. It provides regular onsite and classroom-style training to stay updated on safety protocols. Weekly conversations with the team allow for safety enhancements, fostering collaboration and well-being.

Projects are carefully evaluated to match capabilities and commitment to on-time, budget-friendly delivery. In a notable case study, FBS delivered a building in the middle of winter in challenging weather, installing it during a snowstorm. With an efficient approach, the client experienced no winter condition costs and opened for business earlier than expected.

When a client in Alaska faced labor challenges for convenience store construction, they chose FBS to build, ship, and oversee the field installation process. It simplified the process and eliminated their labor-related issues.

FBS is experiencing rapid growth, securing partnerships with major brands, particularly in the quick-serve restaurant industry. It invests effort in meeting the requirements and expectations of partners, proudly showcasing corporate offices and manufacturing facilities. FBS’s versatility extends beyond one industry and operates across various commercial market sectors, including restaurants, banking, healthcare, and retail. The goal is to remain ahead of market needs and uphold its reputation.