Fabric Buildings for Commodity Storage: A Smarter Way to Protect What Matters

When it comes to protecting valuable inventory, fabric buildings for commodity storage are becoming the go-to solution across industries like agriculture, mining, and bulk materials. These structures offer the strength and capacity you need without the long timelines or high costs of traditional construction.

At Britespan, we’ve helped organizations across North America store grain, salt, feed, fertilizer, and more, with flexible buildings that adapt to unique site needs. But don’t just take our word for it, let’s look at how one customer put it into action.

A Real-World Example: Parrish & Heimbecker’s 160′ x 455′ Storage Solution

We spoke with Gord Braun, Manager of Capital Assets at Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd. (P&H), a major grain handler in Canada. At their Gladstone site in Manitoba, the team needed a solution to safely store large volumes of grain while controlling costs.

Their choice? A 160′ x 455′ Britespan Genesis Series fabric building.

“The most important feature is that it provides protection of our products from the elements, at a reasonable cost,” Gord explained. “The building allows us to easily and efficiently access the large amount of storage inside.”

The decision wasn’t just about price, it was about function. This facility needed to support high-throughput grain handling with ample room for equipment. The clear-span interior, free of columns, made it possible to run conveyors, elevators, and front-end loaders without obstruction.

“I would absolutely recommend Britespan to others,” Gord added. “They were willing to work with us to design the right building for our intended use. It makes economical storage a reality.”

Why Fabric Makes Sense for Commodity Storage

You might be wondering: why fabric over a steel or wood structure?

The answer comes down to flexibility, performance, and long-term value. Britespan buildings are engineered to protect against wind, rain, snow, and UV exposure, all key threats to commodities like grain, minerals, or fertilizer.

Benefits include:

• Maximum use of space: With no interior columns, the full floor area is usable for stacking, equipment movement, and bulk material storage.
• Bright, natural lighting: Translucent covers reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, cutting energy costs and improving visibility for workers.
• Fast installation: Projects can move from design to completion in a fraction of the time compared to conventional builds.
• Foundation flexibility: Whether you’re working on concrete, asphalt, or engineered fill, fabric buildings can be customized to your site.
• Scalability: These buildings can be designed for temporary or permanent use, and even relocated if needed.

Looking to store different commodities on the same property? With Britespan, you can install multiple structures or design partitioned storage bays within one larger building.

Engineered for Performance

Britespan structures are not just temporary solutions. They’re built to meet or exceed local building codes, with galvanized steel frames and high-tension fabric covers that perform in even the most demanding climates.

And with options like 25-year warranties on our elite fabrics, you’re investing in a structure that’s built to last.

Want more details? Explore the advantages of a fabric structure.

Designed Around Your Operation

Every commodity storage need is different. That’s why our team works directly with you to understand your product type, volume, handling methods, and environmental challenges. Whether you need extra height for loading equipment or side access for bulk delivery, we can design a building that matches your workflow.

From salt and grain to sand, ore, or fertilizer, fabric buildings for commodity storage are a better way to keep product quality high and spoilage low, without overbuilding or overspending.

Let’s Build the Right Solution

At Britespan, we make it easy to get started. Our team handles everything from engineering to delivery, and our certified dealers ensure a smooth installation on your timeline.

Ready to protect your inventory and boost operational efficiency? Reach out today for a custom quote.