Constructing a commercial metal building used to be a process that was time-consuming, cost-prohibitive and excruciating.

Metal building materials would have to be ordered from several different suppliers. Different trades would have to work on different projects, and as if that weren't enough, the weather might force delays.

No longer.

Prefabricated metal buildings, with many necessary components already in place, are eliminating many of those problems.

Liberty Building Systems, a seven-year-old steel building manufacturer in Tennessee, provides prefabricated metal buildings and components for a long list of clients including, but not limited to; agriculture, churches, gyms, fire stations, self-storage and retail.

The company is owned by an Australian steel building manufacturer.

In the U.S., the company has produced steel buildings for many major firms and retailers, though its largest current project is a 6,000-head dairy facility in Nebraska.

At its manufacturing plant, the company constructs a metal building kit, comprised of paneling, insulation, doors, windows, gutters, and other items according to the client's specific orders.

The shell of the steel building is then shipped to the construction site, where the client is then responsible for erecting it, as well as installing plumbing and electricity.

A quick construction period of 2-3 weeks is average. The steel building price ranges, too, are lower than can be found at many competitors - anywhere from $3.50-7 per square foot.

About 50 percent of the clientele are retail, and 80-90 percent are repeat customers, said general manager Matt Threadgill.

While the economy is of concern to company execs, it's not quite the same for this manufacturer as it is for other businesses.

Popular clients like Family Dollar and Dollar General are typically more successful in economic downturns, leading to increased demand.

The steel building manufacturer's emphasis has been on expansion into metal storage buildings, which it sees as an emerging market.