Industrial & commercial timber structures — North America
Choosing timber is a conscious decision. What makes it economically realistic is how it is delivered: LIGNA systems unites engineering and supply in one system — fully engineered, code-compliant structures with reliable pricing from the first concept, built on binderholz's ANSI-certified glulam.
The case for timber at scale
Plenty of suppliers can deliver glulam. Almost none can engineer a complete industrial structure and price it reliably before a single beam is ordered. That gap — between drawing a timber building and actually delivering one economically — is exactly what LIGNA systems closes.
Why build in timber
Warm light, natural material, wide open space. A timber structure does more than carry load — it lifts the people inside it. Performance you can measure, and an atmosphere you can feel.
What sets LIGNA systems apart
For almost 20 years LIGNA systems has worked on industrial timber alone — more than 600 realized projects, a depth of experience that does not exist in North America today. There, planning, engineering, fabrication and delivery usually sit with separate parties. That fragmentation drives up effort and cost, and makes prices unreliable. We bring them into one engineering-led system.
In North America, engineering, fabrication and supply typically sit with separate parties. Every coordination gap between them becomes the owner's cost and risk.
Standardized, industrialized planning is uncommon. Each hall is re-engineered from scratch — slowly, expensively, and without the repeatability that makes timber economical.
Without engineering and supply under one roof, early budgets are guesses. Real costs surface late in the project — and often well above what was promised.
No North American supplier carries ~20 years and 600+ industrial timber projects behind it. That depth is exactly what makes a reliable, optimized structure possible.
Engineering-led, not supply-led
LIGNA systems delivers fully developed, code-compliant structures — structural design, every required proof, fabrication and erection supervision. Because engineering and supply move together, we can quote precise, reliable prices already in the concept phase, so you can evaluate a project early and with real cost certainty.
Why timber becomes economically viable
Our aim is not to undercut steel — it is to give owners who want to build in wood a true, economically viable timber alternative.
One engineering-led system spanning design, fabrication and supply — no fragmented scope, no coordination gaps for the owner to manage and pay for.
Because engineering and supply sit together, we can price a structure precisely at the concept stage — so budgets hold instead of drifting upward late in the project.
We optimize every structure for material use from the first concept, reducing timber volume significantly — without giving up structural performance.
Standardized construction principles meet highly automated production — the repeatability that keeps quality high and unit cost down across every project.
One of the world's leading glulam producers — ANSI-certified, with the scale, reputation and brand to guarantee reliable supply to the North American market.
The method steel construction has used successfully for decades, applied to timber — which is exactly what lets us offer it far more economically than is usual in North America.
Engineered, yet warm
Glulam columns carry the load of an industrial hall with the calm presence of natural wood. Every frame is engineered to the millimetre — and still reads as warm, tactile and unmistakably real. This is what gives a LIGNA systems building its quiet, lasting confidence.
Timber construction — economically optimized
LIGNA systems brings the engineering; binderholz brings the supply. Together they form one coordinated capability — from the first structural concept to the erected frame on your North American site.
Every project starts as a model
Before a single beam ships, the entire structure exists as a coordinated BIM model — standardized grid, timber trusses and integrated mezzanine, engineered to North American standards. What you see on site is exactly what was planned.
How we compare
The relevant comparison isn't timber versus steel — it's how a timber structure gets engineered, priced and delivered. Here is where the integrated LIGNA systems + binderholz system pulls ahead of the conventional, fragmented approach.
| What matters to you | Conventional timber · North America |  |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & supply | Separate parties — engineer, fabricator and supplier rarely aligned | One engineering-led system, design through erection |
| Pricing in the concept phase | Early budgets are estimates — costs firm up late, often higher | Precise, reliable price from the concept stage |
| Planning approach | Re-engineered per project, rarely standardized | Standardized grids, industrialized & automated planning |
| Material efficiency | Limited optimization, higher timber volume | Optimized from the first concept, reduced volume |
| North American code compliance | Varies by team and project | ANSI-certified, NA engineering embedded |
| Supply reliability | Depends on individual supplier capacity | binderholz scale — dependable supply to North America |
| Schedule certainty | Site-intensive, weather dependent | Industrial prefab, direct site delivery |
| Connections & assembly | Wide variety of connection details to design and build | Standardized connections — extremely easy to install |
| ESG / carbon credentials | Limited documentation | Documented carbon sequestration per project |
Priced near steel — sometimes slightly above. For owners who choose to build in timber.
Not the cheapest option — the economically realistic way to build in wood
The delivery process
A streamlined five-phase process that keeps the owner informed and in control — without the burden of vendor management.
We assess site, program and budget to confirm structural approach and economic viability — typically days, not weeks.
Full 3D structural model to North American code. IFC-compatible for integration with your architect or design-build team.
binderholz produces the ANSI-certified glulam; LIGNA systems handles CNC joinery, steel parts and pre-assembly. Zero on-site fabrication waste.
Just-in-time delivery direct to your North American site. Container-optimized packaging, coordinated with your schedule.
Our team supervises structural installation — ensuring quality, speed and compliance without added coordination burden.
Prefabricated in Europe. Erected fast on your North American site.
Container-optimized logistics · supervised erection
For the buildings that move industry
Almost 20 years focused on one thing: large industrial timber structures that demand wide clear spans, reliable performance and economical delivery.
Industrial buildings
Large-scale structures engineered for the loads, spans and longevity industry depends on.
Production facilities
Column-free floors for manufacturing lines, assembly operations and process equipment.
Warehouse buildings
High clear heights and wide bays for racking, automation and storage at scale.
Logistics centers
Fast-erecting prefabricated structures for distribution and fulfilment operations.
Aircraft hangars
Exceptional clear spans where timber is a proven, elegant alternative to steel trusses.
Timber-industry facilities
Processing and storage halls built in the very material the industry works with.
Commercial buildings
Offices, showrooms and mixed-use space where natural timber elevates brand and tenant value.
… and more
Wherever large clear spans and economical timber engineering matter, the system applies.
Who we work with
Our product is not for those chasing the lowest possible price. It is for those who want to build in wood — and need a partner who makes that economically realistic.
Forward-thinking industrial companies
Project developers
Architects
Design-build teams
Clients seeking economically optimized timber structures
Built, not rendered
Real LIGNA systems projects — from the structure going up on site to the finished, daylight-filled hall in use.
During erection
Finished structures
One accountable team — from first concept to the last connection on site.
LIGNA systems — engineering, fabrication & erection supervision
Two experts. One strong partnership.
This is not a referral arrangement. LIGNA systems and binderholz operate as an integrated delivery team — each covering capabilities the other does not, with no gaps in accountability.
We will prepare a no-obligation concept assessment for your project — structural approach, indicative timeline and cost framework — at no cost.