The National Frame Builders Association (NFBA) held its annual convention and trade show, Frame Building Expo, February 28- March 2, 2007 at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the NFBA's Award Luncheon on February 28, first place winners in 16 categories received plaques for the annual NFBA Building of the Year Contest.

The NFBA Building of the Year Award in the Commercial (over 10,000 sq.ft.) category went to Leo Souder, M.P.B. Builders, Inc., Ripon, WI.

M.P.B. Builders, Inc. received the NFBA award for the new post-frame building built for Stone Ridge Meat & Country Market, Inc. The building is used for meat processing, along with a full-service grocery store. The building starts with the grocery store as you enter from the main entry. In the grocery area is a produce section, deli, dairy, frozen food, and local bank branch.

The building is an 80'x140' & 160'x160'x14' post-frame structure. A timber-frame entry and pre-engineered roof dormers make this an attractive and unique building that fits well within it's surroundings. The commercial building has a 5-piece piggyback truss roof system with covered porches and stone and log siding that makes it truly unique.

"There were individuals that said this structure couldn't be built using wood frame construction, due to code and material restrictions," remarked Gavin Dorsch, engineering manager for MPB Buildings. "We proved that with some createive design work and pre-engineered roof trusses, this project would be a smash success. The post-frame method allowed us to insulate the sidewalls with 8" batt insulation, the the wood-framed attic was insulated with a minimum of 14" blown fiberglass insulation. The efficiency of these components allows all the different elements of heating, cooling, refrigeration and customer environmental conditions to transition with ease. Nobody had attempted or designed the type of truss roof system that we needed to achieve the look that the owner wanted. Post-frame construction methods allowed us to span farther and use materials more economically. This kept the overall cost within budget. It also allowed for faster assembly in the winter season to enclose the structure, which allowed the other trades to continue their work and stick to the construction schdule. With the construction of the facility and the inner workings, this is a very unique and very successful building - and business."