Aerial view of a Eastern Engineered Wood Product's in Belton, South Carolina

From Trusted Partner
to General Contractor

After years of successfully supporting Eastern Engineered Wood Products' growth, CT Darnell earned the opportunity to lead its largest distribution center project as general contractor.

Large open-sided metal storage buildings with racks on spacious paved lot under clear sky.

In 2006, CT Darnell sold Eastern Engineered Wood Products racking systems to the company's first major distribution facility in Bethlehem, PA. Then in 2018, the two companies worked together again on Eastern's Virginia expansion, where CT Darnell designed and built the buildings and storage systems. On both projects, CT Darnell served as a specialty contractor.

When it came time to build Eastern's newest distribution center in Belton, South Carolina, the relationship took an important step forward.

This time, CT Darnell wasn't just responsible for the design of the yard and the installation of the buildings and racking systems; they were entrusted with the entire project as the general contractor.

Large outdoor lumber storage racks with metal roofs in a paved yard beside a road and greenery in the background

Two large metal storage sheds with open sides and cantilever rack shelving on a wide paved lot under clear sky

Large outdoor storage facility with metal building and wood planks stored on exterior racks under clear sky

Earning the Opportunity

Eastern had traditionally preferred working with local general contractors. However, after further discussions with the CT Darnell team about their strategy for this specific project, Eastern began to reconsider their preference.

Instead of hiring another conventional, local general contractor, they turned to the company that already understood their business.

According to Todd Lindsey, President of Eastern Engineered Wood Products, it was CT Darnell's proven performance on their previous projects as subcontractors that gave Eastern the confidence to trust them with the role of general contractor.

Having successfully completed two previous facilities for Eastern, CT Darnell had demonstrated more than construction expertise; they had developed a deep understanding of Eastern's operations. They understood storage requirements, material flow, truck circulation, rail access, and the operational details that make a distribution yard productive long after construction is complete. That knowledge gave Eastern confidence that every decision would support the way their business needs to operate at full efficiency.

Managing Every Detail

Located on a 95-acre site in Belton, South Carolina, the new distribution center occupies more than 40 acres and was strategically positioned to support Eastern's continued growth throughout one of the country's fastest-growing residential construction markets. Situated between Atlanta and Charlotte with direct rail access, the facility strengthens Eastern's ability to efficiently serve customers across the Southeast.

As general contractor, CT Darnell managed every phase of construction. From site development and grading to rail installation, paving, utilities, concrete, buildings, and cantilever racking, they delivered a fully integrated distribution facility designed for both current operations and future expansion. More than 20,000 cubic yards of earth were moved to properly grade the site, manage stormwater runoff, and prepare the property for future growth.

The project also required coordinating numerous subcontractors while keeping construction on schedule through changing weather conditions and the complexities of developing a large-scale industrial site. Weekly meetings, proactive communication, and detailed planning ensured that potential issues were addressed before they became problems.

A Customer-First Approach

One memorable example of CT Darnell's collaborative approach came during the early phases of the project. Eastern had leased a nearby property to store inventory while construction was underway, but that lease was about to expire. Working closely with the customer, CT Darnell accelerated completion of a six-acre section of the site so Eastern could relocate its materials without extending the lease, saving both time and unnecessary expense.

Looking back on the project, Todd Lindsey credits CT Darnell's communication and project management as one of the biggest reasons for its success. "There were no surprises on this job, and we didn't have to tap the contingency," he said. "CT was always so on top of things."

For Eastern, that level of communication was every bit as valuable as the finished buildings themselves.

More Than a General Contractor

The Belton project demonstrated what happens when construction expertise is paired with deep industry knowledge.

While many contractors can build industrial facilities, CT Darnell understands how distribution facilities and lumberyards operate - from accommodating 60ʹ material lengths and optimizing rack layouts to planning truck circulation, rail logistics, and future expansion. That operational perspective helped deliver a facility that wasn't just built to specification; it was designed to support the way Eastern does business every day.

The Belton project marked a milestone in a relationship that began more than three decades ago. What started with a single project evolved into a trusted partnership, one that ultimately led Eastern Engineered Wood Products to place their confidence in CT Darnell as general contractor for one of its most significant distribution facilities to date.

Looking back on that decision, Todd Lindsey summed it up simply: "Our experience with CT as a subcontractor was so good that we decided to give CT a shot as the general contractor - and Clint and team knocked it out of the park."

Project Highlights

CT Darnell served as the general contractor
Site grading and earthwork (20,000 cubic yards moved)
Stormwater management and site drainage
New rail line installation
Concrete paving and site infrastructure
Utility coordination
7,500 sq. ft. office building
Narrow aisle drive-through rack-supported building
Two cutting sheds
Three rack-supported T-shed storage buildings
Two exterior cantilever racks for staging
Cantilever racking systems throughout the facility
Site preparation and infrastructure for future expansion

Warehouse aisle with yellow cantilever racks storing wooden planks inside a covered industrial building.

Large industrial yard with metal storage racks and warehouse buildings under a clear sky

Aerial view of a large bus depot with multiple buses parked and surrounded by forest and roads.

As a full-service design-build partner, CT Darnell Construction has a 40-year history supporting the LBM industry. We are the only company that specializes in LBM, with an unparalleled reputation in the category and we are licensed in all 50 states.

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Aerial view of a large industrial warehouse with metal roofing and concrete surroundings.

From Trusted Partner
to General Contractor