Their goal isn’t to do things the easy way—it’s to excel at what they do.
Rogue Fitness is the industry leader in American-made strength and conditioning equipment with an unwavering mission: A healthy American ecosystem is dependent on the strength of U.S. Manufacturing. And from workout gear to CrossFit equipment, Rogue Fitness is a master of all things fitness.
“American factories produce better quality products and provide their employees with a sense of pride and fair wage,” said Rogue Fitness co-founder Bill Henniger. “We feel a responsibility to help advance our own community. To prove it, we decided to build our manufacturing campus right in the heart of downtown Columbus, Ohio—to show our loyalty to the city in which we started.”
Rogue Fitness needed a facility large enough to include manufacturing, distribution, offices, and retail operations. With Ford & Associates Architects, Exxcel Project Management, LLC, and Elford, Inc. Construction Services, Rogue consolidated their headquarters with a 600,000-square-foot facility.
Rogue Fitness needed a facility large enough to include manufacturing, distribution, offices, and retail operations.
“Rogue wanted a modern and edgy look,” said Linh Pham, Sales Engineer at Fabcon Precast. “They spent a lot of time thinking and talking about the design, but once the aesthetic questions had been answered, it was smooth sailing.”
To achieve the urban look they had envisioned, the exterior of the facility was built in a steel form finish in dark charcoal and the interior in broom finish. Rogue decided on different heights and widths for the precast panels to create more dimensions, and they embraced the reveal patterns that the 8-foot panels created. 8”- and 10”-thick panels were used; the 10” choice was a last-minute decision, but according to Pham, “Fabcon has no problem rolling with the punches.” Although Rogue had worked with Fabcon in the past, they were still surprised how quickly their vision became reality. 125,000 square feet of precast was erected in just 20 days.
The size and purpose of the facility created more job opportunities in the up-and-coming area. Those at Rogue Fitness and in the community hope the project will continue to revitalize the Milo-Grogan neighborhood.
“It is a really important and unique urban project. The city of Columbus is very excited for the company, the community, and its impact on the city.”
“It is a really important and unique urban project,” said Mark Lundine, the city’s Economic Development Administrator. “The city of Columbus is very excited for the company, the community, and its impact on the city.”
According to Pham, Fabcon was also excited about the Milo-Grogan neighborhood addition: “We were happy to help Rogue honor their roots and put their money where their heart is.” Rogue’s precast facility in the middle of Columbus, Ohio, is a host for better products and a happier workforce. As Henniger said, “It’s more than just a facility. It’s a revolution.
