The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) held its annual convention and trade
show, Frame Building Expo, February 20-22, 2008 at the Greater Columbus Convention
Center in Columbus, OH.  During NFBA's Award Luncheon on February 20th, first place
winners in 19 categories received plaques for the annual Building of the Year Contest.

The Building of the Year Award in the Most Unique Post Frame Application category went
to Dale Anderson and RAM Buildings, Inc. of Winsted, MN.  RAM Buildings, Inc. received
this award for a retail facility built for Hartman Tree Farm of Victoria, MN.

This building is used for the retail sales of live plants, shrubs and other landscape
materials, as well as seasonal items such as Christmas trees and decoratives wreaths.

It was necessary for Hartman Companies to have a retail building that is both easily
accessible and would improve the overall appearance of the business.  A combination
of unique roof pitches, bare galvanized steel, painted framing materials, shakes and
intricate details, combined with open walls for public access make this building
highly functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Post Frame was chosen for this project due to the need for flexibility in design, to
allow for open walls and multi-pitched roof segments as well as keeping costs down for
for the owner. Conventional stick frame would not have worked as well for this unique
structure.  The building provided a much needed sales/retail area, and has received
many positive comments from the community as well as individuals driving by the site.

For more information about this project contact Gregg at sales@rambuildings.com.

 
David Brinkman of RAM Buildings, Inc. is known for his experience, integrity and 
efficiency.  With more than 30 years experience in the post-frame industry, Brinkman
has worked with RAM Buildings, Inc. for over eight years.  He consistently brings
projects in under the allotted hours and ahead of schedule.

In complex jobs requiring field engineering, Dave is the "go-to" guy. He and his crew
have built multiple large dairy and horse barn complexes, some of which measure up to
180 ft. wide and up to 600 ft. long.  

RAM's General Manager, Craig Jackson, says, "Our customers are really his customers.
Repeat customers always ask for his crew.  We have been able to land certain jobs by
promising that Dave and his crew would construct them."

Brinkman's crew often works in remote areas.  It is not uncommon for him to take on a
constant leadership role away from the company's main office for several weeks at a
time.  His ability to go above and beyond in remote locations is a testament to his
many abilities, all of which have helped further the success of RAM Buildings, Inc.

 
The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) held its annual convention and trade
show, Frame Building Expo, February 20-22, 2008 at the Greater Columbus Convention
Center in Columbus, OH. During NFBA's Award Luncheon on February 20, first place
winners in 19 categories received plaques for the NFBA Building of the Year Contest.

The Building of the Year Award in Horse Barns/Facilities over 10,000 sq. ft. category
went to RAM Buildings, Inc. of Winsted, MN.  RAM Buildings, Inc. received this award
for Magister Equitum Stables, built for Julie and Mike Schweiss of Fairfax, MN.

This complex includes a combination riding arena and stall barn, complete with living
area. It is used to house and train a rare breed of horses, descended from Russian war
horses, of which there are only a few hundred in existence in the world today. The ex-
terior of this building features an arched entryway, arched windows, wrapped colonial
columns with an elevated center roof area, two 50' x 16' insulated bi-fold doors and
one hydraulic door. The interior of the stall barn features stamped concrete floors,
custom ornamental stall grills, and an exquisite office and living space.

Utilizing Post Frame construction allowed for the inclusion of large bi-fold doors in
the arena and created a wide open center area in the stall barn that facilitated
numerous design changes during the construction process, while maintaining the lowest
possible cost to the owners. This dream project for Julie and Mike Schweiss has
become a reality. Their new building melds form and function into a riding arena and
stall barn that are both beautiful to see and a joy to use.

To request photos contact RAM Buildings, Inc. - 320-485-2844 or sales@rambuildings.com

 
Rich Streufert of RAM Buildings, Inc. in Winsted, MN attended Star Building Systems' 
Basic Builder School held last month in Oklahoma City, OH. RAM Buildings, Inc. has 
recently become an authorized builder for Star Building Systems. Star is a leading 
manufacturer of suctom metal buildings with headquarters in Oklahoma City and plants 
in Lockeford, CA, Monticello, IA and Elizabethton, TN. Founded in 1927, Star
celebrated its 80th anniversary this past year.

During the week-long school, students were introduced to the Star building product, 
terminology, the construction of metal building and the building and pricing of Star 
metal buildings. Throughout the week, students were introduced to each of the Star 
departments, along with their job responsibilities at Star.

At the end of the week, Star's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Phil Symes, 
presented each student with a certificate of completion.

 
The National Frame Builders Association (NFBA) has announced that RAM 
buildings, Inc. of Winsted, successfully completed all steps for recognition in 
the association's new Accredited Post-Frame  Builder (APFB) program. NFBA 
created the Accredited Post-Frame Builder Program to recognize exceptional 
post-frame builders and their commitment to professionalism, as evidenced in 
key areas of corporate responsibility. Accredited Post-Frame Builders 
demonstrate that they are good corporate citizens by putting in place policies 
and programs that ensure quality and customer satisfaction. To qualify for 
accreditation, applicants must attend at least 12 hours of post-frame industry 
specific continuing education at the NFBA's annual convention, Frame Building 
Expo, or at NFBA chapter events.

Accredited builders pledge to abide by the NFBA Code of Ethics and the 
Accredited Post-Frame Builder's Pledge: We are proud to be post-frame builders 
and an integral part of this great industry. As industry professionals, we want our 
customers and the general public to know that we care about industry standards, 
quality workmanship, safety, and ethical business practices. We want our 
communities to know that we are dedicated to honesty and customer satisfaction, 
and that we are committed to providing quality service to our customers, now and 
in the future.

We are prepared to demonstrate this commitment through our actions and 
maintenance of Accredited Post-Frame builder status. Accredited Post-Frame 
Builders also sign a notarized affidavit declaring that they: exercise integrity in all 
business transactions, and stand behind their work;attempt to satisfy every customer
by any means reasonable; comply with NFBA's post-frame industry building standards; 
adhere to state and local building code's; carry general liability insurance; have a 
written safety program; comply with state laws concerning workers' compensation 
coverage and notify all customers of builder's risk insurancerequirements.

For more information about RAM Buildings, Inc., contact Craig Jackson at 
(320) 485-2844, or visit www.rambuildings.com. 

For more information about the National Frame Builders Association or the annual 
convention, Frame Building Expo, call NFBA headquarters at 800-557-6957 or 
visit www.nfba.org.