Patrick Aucoin says he spends nearly every day in his personalized Spring, Texas hangar. It features a control tower, classic artwork, and the 78'x 18' Schweiss hydraulic door has a large Plexiglas window spanning across it.
"I come here every morning at 6 a.m. I spend all day here and I enjoy every minute of it." Those words from Patrick Aucoin, Aucoin and Associates, Inc., Spring, TX. And where he comes each day is to an 84' x 84' steel hangar at the Spring, TX airfield. But what a hangar! For 14 years this spot was only a concrete slab, the only remnant from a Texas tornado that wiped out the hangar which used to set on this hunk of concrete. But not so today.
A Texas state flag flies proudly in front of the Aucoin hangar.
You immediately note the big 18' x 78' hydraulic door out front. Schweiss is the brand name! A special Plexiglas window spans full width across the top of the door. Why? So Aucoin can view the entire airfield from his upstairs 'flight control' tower built into this incredible and very unique hangar facility. His specially designed control tower is the business center of his south-Texas water operations network.
Aucoin's business deals with water and waste water operations throughout the greater Houston area. When he's not driving on business connections, he's flying. Currently the bird that rests in his special hangar is a Piper G1000 Meridian powered by a 500-hp Lycoming turboprop engine.
Aucoin says his Schweiss hydro powered door is exactly what he wanted. "And what's really cool when I'm 500 yards out on the taxi strip I push the remote control button in my airplane. When I get to the hangar, the door is up and I taxi my Meridian right inside. That's really neat, especially if it's raining," says Aucoin. Only about 40 seconds to open this big unit according to Aucoin.
Patrick Aucoin, left, shakes hands with the Schweiss Door installer, Roy Weisinger. Weisinger has installed nearly 250 Schweiss hydraulic and bifold liftstrap doors all across the sunbelt states.
Contractor for this special project was Roy Weisinger Jr. owner of the Construction Division of Hangar Rental Inc., Brookshire,TX. His firm designed and built the big hangar for Aucoin. That included providing exact measurements to Schweiss Doors for the big hydraulic door, and then supervising the installation of the door which was trucked from Schweiss headquarters, Fairfax, MN to the airfield at Spring, TX.
Weisinger has been doing airport and commercial installations of Schweiss doors throughout Texas and the southwest. And his reputation apparently speaks quality. "If you call Schweiss Doors and ask for someone in Texas to contact about a Schweiss Door, the Schweiss people will give you my name. We're doing quotes all the time; but your service only grows if you have really satisfied customers," noted Weisinger.
He related, "My Dad first came over and talked to Pat about the Schweiss door. Patrick was a bit nervous because this was a wider door than the original hangar design. I told Patrick installing this door was going to be a piece of cake. We knew extra ceiling trusses would be needed to support this heavy door. Also we had to put in new side columns because the building wasn't designed for this hydraulic door. My crew did what had to be done and the door fits perfectly. It's working like a charm."
Patrick Aucoin's modernized Spring, Texas hangar is used as a social center for dances, parties and receptions.
Weisinger said Aucoin was on a business trip when the door arrived and when he got back and saw everything installed. "He was just blown away by how good it looked."Because of the extra reinforcing work plus painting, insulation and installation of the Plexiglas window across the top of the door.
Besides Texas, he also bids and installs Schweiss doors in Oklahoma, Florida, New Mexico and other states across the sunbelt. Within the ranks, his firm is one of the preferred installers of Schweiss doors. "They even sent me to Canada to help supervise the installation of a Schweiss door. But this outfit is well connected. They've got quality installers of their systems across the country," said Weisinger.
Roy Weisinger dad has been erecting metal buildings since 1959 so their name is well established across the states. Roy estimated they have now installed about 240 Schweiss doors, both bifold and hydraulic. And it's much more than just hangar doors. A Houston firm for example has seven Schweiss doors installed so far. "They keep expanding their warehouses. Each expansion means another Schweiss door," explained Weisinger. He says the Schweiss doors are generally easy to install. Always built to the exact specs of the opening and always strong and sturdy. "We're not concerned about any twisting or bending with these Schweiss units. If you can read an instruction book, you can install a Schweiss door," jokes Weisinger.
A robotically controlled Terminator robot, which was a movie studio prop, is a real hit with the kids and great conversation piece.
For Aucoin and his family and friends, this hangar has become a bit of a social center. Graduation parties, wedding receptions, special catered dinners and dancing plus simply some good 'hang out' time are additional 'functions' of this specially decorated facility which even includes the 'Terminator,' a three-dimensional robotically controlled device that formerly was a studio prop in some special movie productions. And get this: Displayed on the inside hangar wall is a 30,000 piece Stevie Ray Vaughan mosaic built by an Austin, TX designer. Built originally for a Austin bar, it was all computer generated. Aucoin had never seen it assembled. In fact all 30,000 pieces of this 'artwork' were still in various buckets when he heard about the item.
"I called the guy asking if he could lay it out on a 12" x 12" display. He said he could. I told him I'd crank up my airplane and be there in 30 minutes. He met me at the airport with his pickup. He lowered the tailgate of his pickup; I saw the colors of that mosaic guitar player. I said 'sold'. He drove it down here, stayed 10-days making certain it was all properly assembled and framed on my hangar wall. I installed a laser light in my hangar ceiling which spotlights on this mosaic with changing colors. At night it's stunning." This incredible mosaic occupies about an 8' x 12' space. Yes, this 'country hangar' sports a special beverage counter. Designed with a commercial look, even each bathroom is decorated with mosaic tile "because that's what I had growing up." Also included are a dishwasher and oven conveniently enclosed until needed.
Texans love blues guitarist legend, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Aucoin bought this 30,000 piece mosaic which is displayed in his hangar.
Getting back to that Schweiss door, Aucoin concluded, "It's a perfect door from my perspective. Totally dependable; not a single malfunction; it's sturdy and strong. We get some stout winds in this part of Texas. Believe me, this Schweiss door can handle any wind. "Yes, I would recommend the Schweiss hydraulic to anyone, absolutely. And great people to deal with. They're courteous; they listen; they get things done." He related a phone visit with Mike Schweiss whom he refers to as 'the Chief Banana' of Schweiss Doors. "I told Mr. Schweiss I was very pleased with everything, except I didn't think I should be charged for the extra remote openers I wanted. I explained that when I'm spending this much for his door, he could include an extra remote. He said, 'You're right. How many do you want?' I said send me five. He sent me five and they were free! That's smart business and that's why I have such high regard for this outfit."
A rare International MXT, originally built for military use, has a special spot in Aucoin's hangar.
Also parked inside this remarkable hangar is a rather remarkable truck. Actually it's an International MXT; only 200 built for civilian use but specifically designed as a safer vehicle for military personnel where terrorists can be a problem. "I bought one of the 200 that got into civilian hands; Shaq O'Neal has one, so too Ashton Kutcher and a few others wanting a special rig. I gutted mine putting in cobra seats, limousine lighting, music and a special bar. It's our weekend toy for my wife and me. When we go out for dinner and park it out front, it sure does attract an audience," chuckled Aucoin..
A remote opener on the big Schweiss hydraulic 78 ft. door opens it for Aucoin to taxi in his G1000 Meridian turboprop without leaving the cockpit.
From the specially designed hangar control tower Aucoin conducts his water operations business.
Patrick Aucoin and Gladie Hagen in fully decorate 84'x84' hangar interior.
Aucoin takes a minute to relax in his business office above the hangar. He says he spends some time in there nearly every day.
Patrick Aucoin and hangar builder and Schweiss door installer Roy Weisinger discuss Aucoins passion of flying.
A classic looking ceiling fan has a color changing laser light which shines down on the Vaughan mosaic tile art piece.
Aucoin can observe the entire airfield from different vantage points in his hangar.
A viewpoint of the Spring, Texas airfield looking out from the hangar.
One of a kind Texas hangar has its own control tower
"I come here every morning at 6 a.m. I spend all day here and I enjoy every minute of it." Those words from Patrick Aucoin, Aucoin and Associates, Inc., Spring, TX. And where he comes each day is to an 84' x 84' steel hangar at the Spring, TX airfield. But what a hangar! For 14 years this spot was only a concrete slab, the only remnant from a Texas tornado that wiped out the hangar which used to set on this hunk of concrete. But not so today. |
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Pilots are appreciating the 80 schweiss liftstrap bifold hangar doors at Oshawa, Ontario airport
There aren't many airports in the U.S. or abroad that have as many Schweiss Bifold Liftstrap/Autolatch hangar doors as the Oshawa, Ontario, Canada airport. In a three-phase project a total of 80 Schweiss liftstrap and autolatch bifold doors have been put onto hangars there. In just the last order alone, 34 Schweiss bifold doors ranging in size from 41.5 ft wide to 47 ft. wide gives some solid proof of their popularity among hangar owners there. |
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Innovative Schweiss lift gate gives versatility to 'The Paw'
Contemplate this description of a popular Mankato, Minnesota facility: Daycare, rehabilitation, grooming spa, spacious suites with in-floor heat, raised beds, exercise program, pool, reservations required, therapeutic laser class treatments, post operative care, hydrotherapy, kindergarten, parties and social activities. |
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Big bifold glass door connects spaces at new Red Bull headquarters
Extreme sports enthusiasts are a key demographic for energy drink makers, and Red Bull's new North American headquarters in Santa Monica, CA was created with that audience in mind. Among the 105,000 sq. ft. buildings many impressive design features are 40' wide by 250' long, non-functioning skateboard platform and 28' tall by 40' wide, Schweiss glass-paneled bifold door. |
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Arizona Stucco hydraulic door gives shade on hot days.
Aircraft enthusiasts from more than 70 nations go to the world famous Oshkosh Air Show with their eyes to the sky. It brings in more than 10,000 aircraft and displays nearly 2,500 aircraft of all makes and sizes. Dave Sirota, President of Bassuk Brothers Property Management firm in Oro Valley, Arizona, a bedroom community adjacent to Tucson, didn't go there to look at aircraft, he had another mission in mind. |
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Schweiss Doors makes boathouse owner envy of beautiful Lake Vermilion
Schweiss Doors can't take all the credit for the envy. Ryan also goes first class with the 1955 Chris Craft Continental boat that cruises in and out of his boathouse. And for those not living on this lake, known worldwide as Lake Vermilion, that's also envious. |
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Aero Country East is a Dallas, Texas area first-class aviation lifestyle community
"New North Dallas, Teaxs Aero Country East airpark goes exclusively with Schweiss "Red Power" hydraulic one-piece hangar doors. Many Country Club amenities and 39 custom townhomes and pool on privately-owned airport add first class appeal for pilots and families |
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Washington Wallaby Ranch chooses Schweiss doors for its hangars
When you think of wallabies and kangaroos the first thing that comes to mind is Australia, "The Land Down Under." You don't have to travel that far, however, to see these marsupials, The Fall City Wallaby Ranch has 19. |
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Kansas farmers Mancave has room for dragstrip racing cars and more
The term "mancave" has in recent times entered the American vernacular. It refers to a place where the guys can get together, lay back and talk about whatever is on their minds and solve the world problems and such over a cold one or two. Mancaves seem to be quite popular amongst football fans. |
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Schweiss Doors installs 132 liftstrap Bifold T-Hangar doors for Bult Airfield
Only about 30 miles due south of downtown Chicago and surrounded by fields of corn, soybeans, wildlife habitat and even a few tree farms sits one of the newer and more intriguing airfields in America. Called Bult Field Airport and identified as C56, this country airport however dates back to 1942 when Paul Sanger, a Monee, Illinois aviation enthusiast started his 'grass strip' air field three nautical miles southeast of town. |
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Napa Valley Winery puts Schweiss doors to special use
That's how Opus One building's architect, Scott Johnson, described this California Napa Valley winery located between St. Helena and Napa, almost straight north of San Francisco, California. Johnson was part of the design team behind the whole footprint of the Opus One building expansion. The suggestion and actual design of the unique Schweiss bifold and hydraulic doors was recommended by Wayne Leong, of Leong Architectural firm in St Helena, CA. |
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Prestige Contractors of Canada is newest Schweiss Doors distributer
Most every contractor at heart wants to do the best job for their customer. Sometimes that means going above and beyond the call and at other times being able to offer the best product for them. |
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Large Schweiss Bifold Liftstrap door perfectly fits farmshop needs
There's nothing cheap about building anymore but this project turned out wonderfully. The Schweiss door fits perfectly. We dressed up the shop and office area with some window shutter trim. Structural Building out of Becker, MN was the contractor and they did a great job |
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Inadequate experience with another company leads farmer to Schweiss Doors
It was a 70 ft. hydraulic door, very lightly built, it came in two sections that didn't meet together when they put it together. It showed up bent, and when raised it would bend, very poor weld quality, with welds missing in places. It was a piece of crap, I've never seen something so poor, there was no engineering done on it. There was no quality control. |
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Schweiss Red Power Pumps are a jump above the rest
Jumping over the best |
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RiverEdge Park & Music Garden orders Schweiss Doors for new Illinois project
RiverEdge Park and Music Garden is a venue that not many people in the United States have heard of yet, but they will. It is becoming the centerpiece in a 10-year master plan for the city of Aurora, Illinois, that state's second largest city with a population of close to 200,000 people, making it the 112th largest city in the United States. Aurora is located about 45 miles west of Chicago and is accessible by commuter train from there. |
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Schweiss has truckloads of top quality doors leaving the factory each week
Since Introducing "Red Power" Hydraulic Doors to the market this Spring, sales of Schweiss Hydraulic Doors have escalated, and as a result truckload-after-truckload of ready to assemble doors have been moving out to destinations within all corners of the United States and other locations around the globe. |
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Sharp looking farm shop features office space and large hydraulic door
This eye catching farm shop is indeed a beautiful facility. All four exterior steel walls are white, however red is the accent color around the edges of this big hydraulic door, all windows in the door, plus other access doors into this incredible building. |
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Taxi-through hangar speeds crop work for big time spraying operation
Twenty-seven years as an aerial applicator provides an historical perspective each spring for Rich Sigurdson, Olivia, MN. For cantankerous 2011 he simply responded,"This spring brought in a little more work than normal. This is the latest for putting crops in the ground since I've been in the business. |
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Huge Army tanks and track vehicles pass through Ft. Carson liftstrap bifold doors
Getting 146 doors installed at one location speaks rather strongly about the quality and reliability of your door provider. But that's the current scorecard of Schweiss BiFold doors at Fort Carson, Colorado (Colorado Springs) where Mortenson Construction (Denver branch) has an ongoing contract with the U.S. Army for the construction of special heated maintenance shops called TEMFs (Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facilities). This means structures big enough for Army tanks and other special military tactical vehicles. |
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Electrical engineer researches and chooses 40 ft. Hydraulic Hangar Door
I researched over a year what I wanted to do. I met Dave Schweiss at the Florida 'Fun in the Sun' air show and both Dave and Mike at the big Oshgosh, WS show. After meeting the guys and looking more closely at their product the choice was obvious. It simply was the best fit, the best design, the best door and in terms of value, the best deal. |
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Fagen WWII museum purchases multiple large Schweiss Liftstrap Bifold Hangar Doors
Here are some shots of Fagen's warbirds. All mighty nice, mint condition airplanes! Just one of many unique planes that will be on display in the New Fagen Museum. It'll be the hot spot in Granite Falls, Minnesota to see some of the most beautiful Flying machines imaginable. |
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Fast opening Schweiss hydraulic heated shop doors were just what this farmer needed
Obviously a guy doesn't spend several thousand dollars for a big hydraulic door because it opens and closes in 37 seconds. But surprisingly 'door speed' is a bit of a factor, at least for Terry Albright, Renville County farmer who also runs a fleet of 'over the road' semi rigs. |
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New 75 ft. Ohio farm shop has Schweiss hydraulic door with special lighting
A slick, new 75' x 80' farm shop with special lighting, in-floor heating, a huge 40' door and a burgundy and beige color scheme is getting all sorts of attention on the farm of John Dulin, Kenton, Ohio. "The contractor that sold me the building has people coming here every week it seems to check out the building and especially that big hydraulic door. So it's a real treat for me and my farming partner son Dana, to show them the works," explained Dulin, who is also maintenance manager for six school buses in their local special education district. |
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Wayzata resident loves his worry free liftstrap garage door conversion
Two bifold doors were on his Wayzata, Minn. home when he and his wife, Nancy, purchased it from a previous owner several years ago. He referred to the doors as "a bonus and attractive feature" and believed the architect chose the bifold style of doors for aesthetic reasons. |
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Carriage House helicopter hangar is very likely the most unique in America!
The Carriage House on the lakeshore property of Sid Morris, Cornelius, NC is very likely the most unique in America! It doesn't house horses and horse buggies. It doesn't house antique autos. Instead it houses his R44 helicopter. And that chopper gets to the Carriage House by first landing on a helio pad on the end of his 200' dock. A small electrically driven dolly then gently lifts the chopper with operator then guiding the chopper to its proper stall inside this remarkable 4-star carriage house. |
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Artists architectural glass door was perfect for Martha's Vineyard studio and guest house
At 27 years of age, film maker/artist/author Travis Wood appears to be adding architectural design to his intriguing resume. Evidence of this new dimension is a most unique structure, a combination studio/guest house that he and his father are constructing on their vacation property on Martha's Vineyard, hugging the south shore of Massachusetts. |
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Funky Brooklyn Store Front Perforated Steel Bifold Doors add touch of class and security
Hugging the southwest corner of Long Island, New York, Brooklyn's earlier identity was mostly hitched to Coney Island beach and the Brooklyn Dodgers of baseball immortality. Today the city is enjoying a renaissance of rediscovery by artists, retailers, ambitious contractors and creative landscapers including the Andre Kikoski Architect firm which just wrapped up the complete renovation of two empty, abandoned warehouse buildings on 22-28 Wyckoff Ave. |
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Multiple stores and doors are key to Arnold Company farm implement business expansion
Consolidation is that aggressive word which has been enveloping agricultural business for several years now. In simple terms, it results in fewer but bigger. And that certainly is the recent history of the farm implement business, which used to pride itself on having eight, 10, even 12 or more dealerships per county. Today three or four farm equipment dealers per county is more the usual. But ownership of farm implement stores today often includes multiple locations throughout an entire state. |
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Former Alaskan has Bifold hangar doors for fishing and flying from private airstrip
Flying since he got the bug when working the fishing canaries in Alaska, Eric Hutchins, Grand Rapids, MN, has a rather diversified agenda these days. For example he runs a year-round Dairy Queen in this bustling tourist center town. He also does some part-time law enforcement work and occasionally flies fire detection with the MN DNR. When time permits, high on his agenda is getting together with his snowmobile buddies for a few miles through the beautiful lake and woodland country of Itasca County. |
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Large 108 ft. Schweiss Bifold Strap Door is finishing touch for hangar renovation
In September of 2009, we started the rehabilitation of Hanger 155 at Chippewa County International Airport in Kincheloe, MI. Our first step was to remove 60 years worth of lead paint from the existing steel substructure and miles of asbestos-containing material. When the building was safe to work in, our demolition subcontractor started on the roof system. |
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Midwest John Deere dealership and store installs a Schweiss One-Piece Door
It's big, 43,500 square feet. It has a special floral display unit out front courtesy of the employees and the general contractor. You walk into an 'eye catching' 100' x 160' 'Consumer Display' section complete with a 10' high shelf showcasing various John Deere 'consumer goods'. And greeting you at the retail counter is a colorful prairie scene with an old country barn, woodlots, fields of corn and wheat plus a depiction of the original 1-bottom plow that launched the John Deere machinery company. A show place of sorts? Yes, indeed. |
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Classic Florida hangar home Schweiss wall/porch door is drawing national attention
Well, it's all of the above for 62-year-old Daniel Shaw, a plumbing contractor at Geneva, Fla. Who has given new meaning to the term "hangar home." The structure is 50' wide x 60' deep x 30' tall, all metal/ However, a 45' x 15' Schweiss hydraulic door sporting a wrap-around porch with decorator railing, table and chairs, a "walk through" door with stylish window, and veranda "roof" gets your attention. |
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Schweiss doors open things up at the Renville County Fair
Schweiss Hydraulic and Bifold Doors recently installed four new hydraulic doors at the Renville County Fairgrounds located in Bird Island, MN. The Renville County Board approached Schweiss looking for a way to open up the event building located at the county's fairgrounds. The event building is used to host live bands, beer gardens and public auctions by Henslin Auction Services. Hydraulic doors seemed like the perfect solution to open up the building and allow easy access to the building for large groups of people. |
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Minnesota Implement dealership spike in business calls for new facility liftstrap bifold doors
We're no longer just selling iron. Today we're selling precision farming products and that requires special training of both our personnel and our farm customers," says Paal Haug, general manager of Haug Implement with stores at Willmar and Litchfield |
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Radiation-shielded Bifold Door designed specially for industrial x-ray system firm
The creativity of customers continues to be a driving force for many manufacturers. Take for example North Star Imaging, Inc., a Rogers, Minnesota manufacturer of industrial x-ray systems which are enclosed by a radiation shielding cabinet and access door and used by manufacturing firms in the aerospace, military, automotive, medical device, electronics, even the genetic seed industry and many more. |
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Stylish North Carolina Target store Bifold gates serve dual purposes
How do you make the loading dock area for your store secure, yet still easily accessible and stylish? This Target store in North Carolina found the answer with two 39' x 17' bifold gates for their loading area. Give us your idea and we will get you the door. |
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Unique Schweiss Bifold roof-door designed for East Coast sandblasting chamber
What looked like a near impossible situation without some totally new engineering design instead turned out to be a remarkable solution to an extreme challenge. The challenge? How to fit a "roof door" over a 20' by 30' sandblasting chamber used by SMS Millcraft, Oil City, PA. This firm specializes in refurbishing component parts for various Pennsylvania steel mills. |
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Farm Air spraying operation relocates and builds new hangar with 76 ft. hydraulic door
It is rare that an Air Tractor dealership changes hands. It cant be done without an approval from Air Tractor, Inc. This requirement became all too apparent to Bill Taylor of Farm Air in Fairfield Illinois. Bill was starting to think about retiring from the business he formed in 1976. Shortly after forming Farm Air, Bill saw a need for Air Tractors in the Midwest, and approached Air Tractor about becoming a dealer. Over thirty successful years later, Bill decided it was time to sell Farm Air with its Air Tractor dealership intact. |
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TGIF puts custom-made Schweiss Bifold glass doors on patio bar
This custom set of Schweiss Bifold Doors was the perfect solution to provide a unique dining experience for this restaurant's patio bar customers. |