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Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings: The Rice and Butler Advantage

Written by Rice Companies | Oct 2, 2026, 4:59:44 PM

What Is a Pre-Engineered Metal Building?

A pre-engineered metal building is a complete structural system where every component, from structural framing to roof, walls, and insulation, is engineered to work together before it reaches the site. PEMB systems serve a wide range of uses including warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants and agricultural facilities. Modern PEMB systems offer various roof profiles, wall options, and finishes that give building owners real design flexibility.

Why Owners Choose Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings

Speed. Factory pre-punched components arrive ready to erect, enabling installation timelines up to 50% faster than conventional construction.

Cost Predictability. A structural system priced and designed before construction begins reduces change orders and supports accurate budgeting from the start.

Durability. Steel performs well in the demanding climate and load conditions Midwest facilities face over their operational life.

Integrated Performance. Structural framing, roofing, wall panels, and insulation are engineered as one system, reducing coordination issues and delivering a building envelope that performs.

Expansion Ready. Structural capacity can be built into the original design makes future additions more straightforward without significant intervention to the existing building.

What Butler Manufacturing Bring

Butler Manufacturing, founded in 1901, is the world’s leading producer of steel building systems. Butler’s structural framing, wall systems, and roofing products are all engineered to work together, delivering precise alignment, thermal efficiency, and lasting weather protection.

The MR-24® roof system, the industry’s most proven standing-seam metal roof, has more than 3 billion square feet installed since 1969 and life cycles exceeding 50 years, with an optional 25-year weathertightness warranty available.

The Rice and Butler Advantage

Rice Companies has been a Butler Manufacturing partner since 1957 and has built thousands of commercial construction projects – many of them using Butler PEMB. Rice also offered design-build commercial construction services. With the team to design the facility to your needs and the team to build it, creates efficiencies and added value to the project approach. Additionally, Rice has earned recognition from Butler thus adding to their long-standing history of quality and innovative building. Awards include the North American Builder of the Year, Central Region Multi-Story Builder of the Year, Outstanding Build of the Year and the Butler Cumulative Award.

Local commercial construction knowledge, combined with Butler’s world-class building system, gives owners an organized, efficient project experience backed by a team accountable from preconstruction through delivery. Owners who choose a pre-engineered metal building through Rice Companies can plan with confidence.

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