DonoBrace in Action: Efficiency and Innovation at the QES Manufacturing Plant

Written by Donovan Group | Apr 8, 2025 4:16:02 AM

In March 2025, DonoBrace was utilized by J&M Steel in the QES-A project in West Jordan, Utah - a 150,000 sq ft manufacturing plant designed for the production of mobile data centers for remote areas. This project showcased the innovative design, efficiency, and technical advantages of DonoBrace.

Manufacturer Partnership: CO Buildings

CO Buildings, the manufacturer for this project, played a crucial role in the successful implementation of DonoBrace technology. As a leading provider of pre-engineered metal building systems, CO Buildings collaborated with J&M Steel to integrate DonoBrace into the structural design.

The partnership between CO Buildings and J&M Steel created a seamless workflow from design to installation. CO Buildings provided comprehensive technical specifications and installation guidelines that helped the construction team adapt quickly to the new bracing system. The proactive approach of CO Buildings in adopting innovative building technologies like DonoBrace positioned them as a forward-thinking manufacturer in the industry.

J&M Steel prioritizes efficiency and innovation by implementing advanced products that streamline construction while delivering superior results for its clients.

The project was led on site by Jamin Jackson - Project Manager for J & M Steel, with more than 30 years of experience in the metal building industry.

This case study explores various aspects of DonoBrace including the installation process, practical benefits, and advantages compared to traditional bracing methods. Jamin Jackson gives his feedback on the positive impact DonoBrace will have for manufacturers and erectors in the metal building industry.

Ease of Installation

The ease of installation of DonoBrace is one of its most significant advantages. According to Jamin Jackson, Project Manager at J&M Steel Solutions, "Once the guys got the hang of it, it was no problem, and there was a lot of repetition on this project as it is 150,000 sq ft."

Jamin found the DonoBrace system proved to be remarkably time-efficient, with installation times averaging just 15-20 minutes per X-Brace (25'-30'). This represented a substantial improvement over traditional methods:

Angle bracing: 30-45 minutes (sometimes more if alignment issues occur)
Rod with Hillside washers: 30 minutes
Cable bracing: 30 minutes (more if cables don't come pre-built)

The time savings Jamin reported above ranged from 15-30 minutes per brace bay, delivering significant cumulative efficiency across the large-scale project.

Installation Process

The installation process was streamlined to such a degree that temporary bracing requirements were minimized. The team reported: "We used Temp Bracing in addition to the DonoBrace, but in the DonoBrace bays we just installed the DonoBrace as we erected that brace bay." This approach allowed the crew to maintain efficiency while ensuring structural integrity throughout the construction process.

Differences Compared to Traditional Methods

The installation team noted several key advantages of DonoBrace compared to conventional bracing systems:

Reduced material requirements: The project saw a reduction from double 1-1/4" X bracing with rod and hillside washer to single 1" DonoBrace X bracing.
Simplified connection points: "All of the connection points are on the inside of the bay, so you don't have to work the rod or cable from the adjacent bay to install it or tension it," Jackson explained.
Elimination of problematic components: "We did not have to deal with slope washers popping in and out of the slot since it is a single bolt connection to a welded plate."
Weight reduction: DonoBrace was noticeably lighter than the rod bracing that would have been required otherwise.
Problem-solving in challenging areas: "The steep rods in the crane bays would have required custom slope washers due to the steep pitch of the rod in the brace bay to keep the slope washer in the slotted hole. We also would have had to deal with more rods, and turnbuckles conflicting in the double rod bays had we not been supplied with DonoBrace."

Industry Implications

When asked about the potential for industry-wide adoption of DonoBrace, Jamin was enthusiastic: "We would welcome it, to reduce the diameter of the rods, quantity of rods, quantity of brace bays, and have a single side connection point to frame would be amazing. Eliminating the Angle bracing would be great as well."

His additional comments revealed a deeper appreciation for the potential industry shift: "I think if DonoBrace became widely adopted in the metal building world it would be a positive change for both the manufacturers and the erectors. Instead of dealing with 3 potential bracing applications both manufacturer and erector could just have one single solution.

Overall Benefits

DonoBrace offered numerous benefits on this project, including:

Faster installation (15-30 minutes faster per brace compared to traditional methods)
Reduced material requirements
Simplified connection systems
Lighter weight components
Elimination of problematic components like slope washers
Fewer brace bays required

The success of this project highlights the potential for broader adoption of DonoBrace in the construction industry, representing a significant advancement toward more efficient building solutions.

As Jamin concluded: "Typically, when we see changes in the industry, it comes at a cost to our production. As an erector in the field, my hope is that this could be a win, win, win. Single source bracing solution for the manufacturer, more efficient solution for the erector, and better product for the end use customer."

Project Details:

Project Name: QES-A
Location: West Jordan, UT
Size: 150,000 sq ft
Purpose: Manufacturing plant for mobile data ,centers
General Contractor: Barco Construction
Manufacturer: CO Buildings
Steel Erector: J&M Steel Solutions

For more information about DonoBrace, or to discuss your next construction project, connect with our expert team.

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