With some diligent searching , the Planters team came across ROOFLIFTERS, a company that specializes in “raising the roof” of existing facilities to create additional space. In this case, ROOFLIFTERS’ patented technology was used to raise the building to a height of 34 feet, creating an additional 1.12 million cubic feet of warehouse space.
   ROOFLIFTERS’ technology works by placing a patented crib post system underneath the main structural beams of a building. When the posts are welded in place, the columns, all services and other infrastructure are severed. The crib posts then hydraulically lift the entire roof of the building at one time at a rate of 6 to 12 inches per hour. Once the roof reaches the desired height, the structure is enclosed with metal, stucco, brick or block cladding. Columns, services and other infrastructures are then re-attached.
   ROOFLIFTERS CEO Marty Shiff claims that this process is quicker, less expensive and much less taxing on the environment than other methods for expansion of commercial and industrial properties. In addition 95 per cent of building materials are reused.
   It was an ideal solution for Planters Peanuts, he says. “The building was functionally obsolete but Planters loved the location for its new Canadian distribution centre, especially because it was close to its Toronto operations.”
   Tearing down the building and erecting a new facility was simply too cost prohibitive, he adds. “It didn’t make economic sense,” says Shiff. “Lifting the roof probably was about $2 million less expensive than a rebuild. It also saved at least six months in planning.”
   The project took seven months to complete, and when it was completed, Planters was able to easily install its three-level, state-of-the-art pick tower system – with room to spare.
   Shiff says there are literally millions of square feet of usable commercial space that could benefit from a rooflift. “Land is getting more expensive and people can’t always build out. Rooflifting can at least double your cubic volume for about $15 to $20 a square foot without having to change the building footprint.