When a brand-new seven-story building goes up in the heart of Mankato, a lot has to happen behind the walls and above the ceilings before it’s ready for people to move in. The Eide Bailly Center is a striking example of what it takes to bring a modern commercial building to life – and Schwickert’s Tecta America played a major role in making it happen.

From the mechanical systems that keep the building comfortable and functional, to the eye-catching exterior panels that give it its distinctive look, Schwickert’s was on the job from the ground up. Here’s a closer look at what the team delivered.

The Eide Bailly Center is a seven-story commercial building in Mankato, Minnesota, developed by Neubau Holdings and designed by ISG. General contractor Knutson Construction led the overall build, with Schwickert’s serving in two key roles: mechanical contractor and architectural sheet metal contractor. The project kicked off in June 2019 and was completed in October 2019, coming in at just over $2.2 million in scope.

Before a building like the Eide Bailly Center can welcome a single tenant, it needs a full mechanical backbone. That means heating, cooling, plumbing, and drainage systems. These systems are not only functional, but built to support whatever businesses eventually move in. That’s exactly what Schwickert’s mechanical team delivered.

The job started at the top – literally. Large HVAC units were lifted and set into place on the roof by crane, a complex operation that requires precise coordination and an experienced crew. From those rooftop air handling units, the team ran large duct systems down through the building. The ductwork stretches to every floor, making sure conditioned air could flow to every corner of the space.

Keeping people warm is just as important as keeping them cool, so the team also installed hot water heat throughout each floor of the building. This kind of system is reliable, efficient, and well-suited for a Minnesota climate where winters can be brutal.

On the plumbing side, Schwickert’s installed full restrooms on three floors. They also handled storm drainage for both the building itself and the adjacent parking ramp, making sure rainwater and snowmelt have a clear path out of the structure. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that most people never think about, but without it, a building simply doesn’t function.

All of this was designed with future tenants in mind. Because the building was built to support a variety of businesses and uses, the mechanical systems needed to be flexible and ready for whatever build-outs would come later. Schwickert’s made sure that foundation was solid.

If the mechanical work is what makes the Eide Bailly Center function, the exterior panels are what make it stand out. Schwickert’s architectural sheet metal team was responsible for the building’s entire outer skin — and the result is something worth noticing.

The team installed 13,600 square feet of aluminum composite material, known as ACM, using Schwickert’s own WS-100 Wet-Seal system. ACM panels are a popular choice for modern commercial buildings because they’re lightweight, durable, and can be fabricated into clean, precise shapes that give a building a sharp, professional appearance.

For this project, two different finishes were used to create a layered, intentional look. Floors one through three feature Alpolic’s 4MM Fire Retardant material in a unique OGM Matte Green finish. Floors four through seven switch to Alpolic’s 4MM FR material in OPT Mica, a softer, complementary tone. Together, the two finishes work beautifully alongside the heavy use of locally quarried limestone and curtain wall glazing throughout the building’s design – a nod to the region’s natural materials and character.

But the visual result is only part of the story. Beneath the panels, the team installed a thermally broken furring system over the building’s exterior insulation sheathing. This is an important detail – a thermally broken system helps prevent heat from transferring through the building’s exterior, improving energy efficiency and protecting the structure long-term.

What makes this project stand out isn’t just the square footage – it’s the coordination required to deliver two completely different roofing systems on the same building, on the same schedule, without disrupting an active public facility.

What made this project especially complex was the level of precision required to pull it off. Every single furring channel and clip – approximately 10,000 of them – was laid out using CAD-based software. Each clip attaches a panel in its own unique spot on the building, meaning no two placements were exactly alike. That kind of custom, detail-oriented work requires serious planning and expertise.

To make it all work logistically, every panel was fabricated at Schwickert’s own shop in Mankato and delivered to the job site as needed. This was especially important because there was little to no storage space available on site. Having an in-house fabrication facility nearby made it possible to keep the project moving without delays or bottlenecks.

The Eide Bailly Center is the kind of project that showcases what Schwickert’s does best – showing up for complex, multi-trade work and delivering results that are built to last. From crane-set rooftop HVAC units to all of the precisely placed exterior panels, every piece of this project required skill, coordination, and attention to detail.

The building stands today as a landmark in downtown Mankato, and Schwickert’s is proud to have played a role in bringing it to life – from the inside out.

Whether you need mechanical systems, architectural sheet metal, or both, Schwickert’s Tecta America has the experience and the team to handle it. Contact us today to talk about your project and find out what we can do for you.

When the City of Rochester needed a roofing solution for one of its most heavily used public facilities, they turned to Schwickert’s Tecta America. The Rochester Recreation Center is a busy, multi-use sports complex that serves the community year-round – and keeping it protected from the elements is no small job. This project covered 77,000 square feet across two very different environments: an active ice rink and an indoor pool. Each one came with its own set of challenges, and each one required a completely different roofing system to get it right.

From September 2024 through June 2025, our team delivered a customized, multi-system solution that protected every inch of this facility – on time and built to last.

Not all commercial roofs are the same, and this project is a perfect example of why one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work for complex facilities. The Rochester Rec Center presented two distinct environments under one roof – literally.

The pool area creates a high-moisture environment. Heat, humidity, and condensation work constantly against the building envelope, making vapor control a top priority. Without the right system in place, moisture infiltration can compromise insulation, damage structure, and lead to costly long-term problems.

The ice rink is a different challenge entirely. Cold surfaces, temperature differentials, and the mechanical demands of a working arena require a roofing system with serious durability and long-term performance credentials. The materials and methods used over a rink have to hold up under conditions that would wear out lesser systems quickly.

Schwickert’s addressed each section with the right tool for the job – and the expertise to execute both at the same time.

For the pool areas, the team started by repairing the existing vapor barrier – a critical first step in any high-humidity environment. Getting the vapor barrier right protects the insulation and the structure beneath it from the moisture that pools and natatoriums generate constantly.

Once the vapor barrier was in solid shape, new insulation was installed to bring the thermal performance of the roof up to standard. The team then applied Carlisle 60 mil TPO membrane using a cold process installation method.

TPO, thermoplastic polyolefin, is one of the most widely trusted single-ply roofing membranes in commercial construction. At 60 mil thickness, it offers exceptional puncture resistance, UV protection, and long-term weatherability. The cold process installation was the right call for this environment, allowing the work to proceed without introducing open-flame or high-heat methods near an occupied facility with sensitive indoor conditions.

The result is a roof system that handles Minnesota weather on the outside while protecting the delicate humidity balance on the inside.

The ice rink sections called for a completely different approach. For these areas, Schwickert’s installed a multi-layer Garland Built-Up Roofing system – a time-tested method that delivers outstanding durability for demanding commercial applications.

Built-up roofing, commonly called BUR, gets its name from the way it’s constructed: in layers. Each layer builds on the last, creating a roof system with serious depth and redundancy. Here’s how Schwickert’s built it out for the Rochester Rec Center:

The system started with two base plies, providing the foundational layers of the assembly. Over the base plies, a modified field membrane was installed, adding flexibility and resistance to thermal movement – important in any climate, but especially in Minnesota where temperature swings are significant. A modified flashing membrane followed, reinforcing the critical transition points where the roof meets walls, curbs, and penetrations. These spots are where most roofs fail first, so getting the flashing right is essential. The system was finished with a flood coat and gravel surfacing, applied with hot asphalt. The flood coat seals everything together, and the gravel surfacing provides UV protection, ballast, and fire resistance while giving the roof the rugged, proven finish that BUR systems are known for.

This is not a lightweight or temporary solution. It is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade roofing assembly built to protect a high-traffic public facility for decades.

What makes this project stand out isn’t just the square footage – it’s the coordination required to deliver two completely different roofing systems on the same building, on the same schedule, without disrupting an active public facility.

The Rochester Recreation Center was in use throughout much of the project. That means the Schwickert’s team had to manage sequencing, material staging, and daily operations around a functioning building – the kind of logistical challenge that separates experienced commercial contractors from the rest.

From the first site visit in September 2024 to final completion in June 2025, the project stayed on track through a Minnesota winter, multiple material systems, and the demands of working on a government facility with public accountability. Every phase was coordinated, every system was installed to specification, and the finished product was delivered on schedule.

The Rochester Recreation Center is a great example of what Schwickert’s Tecta America does best – showing up for complex, large-scale projects and delivering the right solution for every part of the job. Whether your facility has one roof system or five, our team has the experience, the materials, and the coordination capability to handle it from start to finish. If you have a commercial roofing project coming up, we’d love to talk. Contact Schwickert’s Tecta America today to get a quote and find out what the right roofing system looks like for your building.

For many, basements are cherished home areas for relaxing, playing, and storage, as well as for important utilities such as furnaces and water heaters. A downfall to this extra space is the potential for flooding, especially during heavy rains or snow melts. A reliable sump pump system is one of the best defenses against basement flooding. We will explain the essential aspects of sump pumps, preventative maintenance, backup solutions, and more.

To prevent flooding, a sump pump is installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. It collects water that accumulates in a pit, usually a specially constructed pit where water is channeled through drains or natural grading. Once the water reaches a certain level, a float switch on the sump pump activates, pumping the water out of the pit and away from the home, typically to the curb or a designated drainage area.

The importance of a sump pump cannot be overstated. It helps keep your basement dry, protecting your home from water damage that can lead to costly repairs. Additionally, it helps maintain a healthier home environment by preventing mold and mildew growth, which can result from persistent dampness.

Summer in the Midwest brings its fair share of weather-related challenges. At Schwickert’s, we understand the disruption that storm damage can cause to your business. That is why we provide comprehensive solutions for storm-related damage to roofing, architectural metals, and mechanical systems.

Interested in applying for a job with Schwickert’s? Or maybe you want to ask some questions before you hit that ‘apply’ button on our careers page. All of which offer good reason to visit us at a job fair!

Visit with Schwickert’s Human Resources team on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Mankato Job Fair from 9am – 1pm at the Mayo Clinic Event Center.

Our team will be there to discuss all of our openings, while looking for applicants who may be interested in one of our many trades or office positions.

Stop by our booth this weekend for a good conversation and some free stuff!