James Haas, National Offsite Construction Sales Manager with Nichiha, with over a decade of experience in the construction industry, shared his journey from the world of temporary modular construction to leading Nichiha’s efforts in permanent installations.
“At Nichiha, we specialize in fiber cement cladding of various styles, textures, and colors,” James explained. “Our goal is to captivate architects and designers by helping them create beautiful, durable facades.”
Kent Anderson, Senior Business Development Manager with Wesco’s OEM Solutions, elaborated on the partnership between Wesco and Nichiha, which began nearly four years ago at an offsite construction expo. “Both companies saw a tremendous opportunity in the offsite and volumetric modular construction space,” he said. “Since then, we’ve been working closely to integrate Nichiha’s innovative products into a variety of projects.”
Meeting the Demand for Offsite Construction
The growing trend toward offsite and modular construction has been a significant driver for Nichiha’s products. James described the experience of entering this market as akin to “drinking water from a fire hose.” He recently visited Japan with members of the Modular Building Institute (MBI) to observe a country leading in offsite construction. “That trip was incredibly motivating,” he said. “It gave me a vision of what a well-run offsite construction ecosystem could look like.”
This motivation has fueled Nichiha’s efforts to collaborate with architects, manufacturers, and developers to enhance the construction process. “We’re focused on piecing together the puzzle of modular construction while managing the many moving parts involved in completing commercial and residential projects,” James added.
Versatility in Application
Nichiha’s fiber cement cladding is designed with the flexibility to cater to various construction types, whether wood-frame or steel-frame buildings. James explained, “There are minor considerations, such as compression joints or vertical flex joints, but our products are adaptable to both wood and steel structures, which makes it a great choice for builders in a variety of applications.”
Kent highlighted the importance of offering customizable solutions to modular manufacturers. While modular offers a variety of advantages, it can have limitations on visual appeal. “For years, manufacturers have sought ways to enhance their buildings’ curb appeal,’” he said. “Nichiha’s products provide an incredible opportunity to achieve that, with options for factory installation and on-site finishing.”
Exploring Nichiha’s Product LineMeeting Almost Any Design Vision
Nichiha’s tagline, “Many styles, textures, and colors,” encapsulates their extensive product offerings. James broke down the variety: “We can clad the entire exterior of a building with our solutions, from stucco and industrial concrete boards to our popular vintage wood line. There’s no design vision we can’t contribute to.”
The vintage wood line, Nichiha’s most popular product, has been featured in projects ranging from Burger King locations to luxury hotels like Hilton and Marriott. “About 40% of our top-line revenue comes from this line,” James noted. “We’ve recently added two new colors to meet the growing demand.”
Fiber Cement: A Durable and Sustainable Choice
Fiber cement, as James explained, combines cement with fibers to add elasticity and reduce brittleness. “Our medium-density fiber cement boards are perfect for all climates,” he said. Nichiha’s products offer the aesthetic appeal of natural materials, such as wood, without the maintenance concerns.
Kent emphasized the growing demand for these products at Wesco. “We’ve worked on projects both large and small, and the response has been phenomenal,” he said. “The versatility and durability of Nichiha’s offerings provide long-lasting solutions that are easy to install.”
Closing Thoughts
James and Kent’sThe collaboration between Nichiha and Wesco highlights the power of innovative materials and strong partnerships in reshaping the construction industry. Nichiha’s fiber cement cladding is not only enhancing the aesthetic appeal of buildings but also driving efficiency and sustainability in construction.
“Our goal is to work with customers from concept and design all the way through to completion,” James said. “With products like our vintage wood line, we’re making it easier than ever to create beautiful, durable exteriors.”
As the construction industry continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Nichiha and Wesco demonstrate the potential for innovation to redefine building design and performance.
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