How to Navigate Industrial Construction’s Toughest Challenges

BNA nashville airport under construction.

For over 90 years, Crain Construction has been a cornerstone in Nashville’s development, transforming landscapes and communities with integrity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. Our journey from the city’s early days to its modern skyline has taught us invaluable lessons on navigating the complexities of industrial construction. We’re exploring some key challenges we’ve faced in industrial construction projects. Here’s how we’ve been able to navigate each one successfully: 

Minimizing Downtime and Interruptions

The challenge of minimizing downtime and interruptions during construction or expansion projects is one we meet head-on. Our solution revolves around meticulous pre-construction planning, leveraging advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and modular construction techniques. These strategies allow us to foresee potential disruptions and address them before they occur, ensuring that our client’s operations flow smoothly, even as we lay the groundwork for their future.

Since 2007, Feintool Inc. has trusted Crain Construction to complete plant expansions and new press installations without disrupting manufacturing activity. The plant maintains a 24/7 operation with deliveries, so every project is carefully planned during the pre-construction process. Maintaining open lines of communication is a vital aspect of our approach to every job and was essential in each Feintool project to ensure safety and minimize disruption to workflow. 

Old Dominion Freight Line’s largest truck terminal in North America remained in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week while we built a $9.2 million, 65,339-square-foot addition to the facility. This case study showcases the innovative solution we came up with to keep trucks rolling during the expansion. 

Compliance with Codes and Regulations

The intricate web of regulations, including environmental mandates and safety codes, presents a significant hurdle. Our deep roots in Nashville have afforded us a comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal regulations. This knowledge and our decades of experience enable us to navigate these complexities efficiently. We prioritize compliance from the project’s inception through completion, ensuring a seamless process that respects the legal landscape and safeguards our clients’ interests.

Sustainability Concerns

As environmental awareness grows, there’s an increasing demand for green and sustainable practices in construction. Green buildings used to be avoided because of the additional cost of construction, but sustainable construction practices can now actually help reduce the overall cost of a project. Managing waste and using prefabricated materials are just a few of the ways we embrace a sustainable construction approach during projects. Through innovation and a forward-thinking mindset, we turn sustainability challenges into opportunities for growth, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

Adapting to Technological Advancements

As technology evolves, we continue to adapt and embrace innovation as a tool for enhancing efficiency, quality, and safety. Integrating new technologies and staying informed about the latest developments allows us to integrate cutting-edge solutions that keep us and our clients at the forefront of industrial construction. 

Navigating Challenges For Over 90 Years

Our legacy in Nashville is built on more than just concrete and steel; it’s forged from our unwavering dedication to our people, our community, and the belief that every project is an opportunity to do business differently. As we look to the future, we remain committed to navigating the challenges of industrial construction with the same integrity, expertise, and community spirit that have been our hallmark for nearly a century.

Every commercial construction project presents challenges and unexpected obstacles. But we try to view challenges as opportunities for innovation. From navigating pre-construction site challenges to developing multiple contingency plans for procurement, we revel in finding innovative solutions to complex problems. Contact our team today to discuss your vision and discover how our experience and expertise can help you build a successful project.

Related Projects

commercial construction site in nashville
From Vision to Build: How Pre-Construction Bridges Design and Construction

As commercial development accelerates, owners and developers are increasingly involving contractors earlier in the planning process to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks before construction even begins. For many of our clients, pre-construction is no longer an afterthought—it has become an industry standard, especially in rapidly growing cities like Nashville.  At Crain, we believe...

fairlane hotel building project in nashville
Nashville’s Hotel Boom: Unpacking the Pros and Cons of Renovation vs. New Construction

Music City’s tourism scene has exploded in recent years, driving the highest demand for hotels and hospitality seen in our 90+ years in Nashville. This surge will to continue, with industry forecasts projecting steady growth in the coming years. In 2025, Nashville is expected to have 17.5 million visitors, and by 2033, it could have...

urban construction site in downtown nashville
Optimizing Site Access and Scheduling in Urban Construction Projects

Nashville’s urban landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with numerous commercial construction projects reshaping the city’s skyline. According to the Urban Land Institute and PwC’s 2025 U.S. Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, Nashville ranks as the No. 5 market to watch, reflecting its robust development trajectory. For property owners and developers, effectively navigating the construction...

new building contructed in nashville
Breaking Down the Budget: A Developer’s Guide to Commercial Construction Costs in Nashville

Understanding the costs of construction is one of the most foundational elements of effective project planning. This is especially true in a dynamic and fast-growing city like Nashville, where property values, labor costs, and material prices have seen steady increases in recent years. Navigating these costs requires a blend of expertise, foresight, and collaboration. At...

Community

We partner with organizations to invest, give back and make a positive impact on the communities where we live and work.

Blog

Get the latest Crain Construction Blogs and interesting insights about our projects and community endeavors here.

When you’re ready to build, we’re here for you

Reach out to start a conversation with our team.