Heavy manufacturing and industrial development in Bucyrus, Ohio Crawford County

Disciplined Oversight in Crawford County's Industrial Economy

Why Bucyrus Projects Need Independent Oversight

Bucyrus and Crawford County maintain a strong manufacturing heritage with continued industrial investment. Caterpillar employs over 600 people in surface mining and high-wall mining equipment operations. TIMKEN produces specialty steel components at its Bucyrus facility. The Crawford County Partnership works to attract and retain business investment, offering competitive incentives, workforce development programs, and available industrial sites.

The county's location between Columbus and Toledo provides access to major markets while maintaining lower operating costs than metropolitan areas. The Crawford-Marion BOCES and local educational institutions support workforce development for manufacturing employers. Community leaders have maintained infrastructure investment and business-friendly policies that support industrial growth.

Whether you're expanding manufacturing facilities for mining equipment or specialty steel production, developing industrial property, or constructing commercial space for the regional economy, Bucyrus projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that industrial project complexity doesn't compromise your budget and timeline.

What an Owner's Representative Does

Every construction project involves three core parties: the Architect, focused on design and code compliance; the General Contractor, focused on means, methods, and their own profitability; and the Owner, who funds everything but often lacks the technical expertise to protect their investment. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum, where no one is truly accountable for the owner's budget and schedule.

DeVore Consulting fills this vacuum. We work exclusively for you, never holding trade contracts or self-performing work. Our role is to translate your business objectives into construction outcomes, providing a single point of accountability from pre-design through project closeout.

Our Approach to Protecting Your Investment

We bring disciplined methodology to manufacturing and commercial projects in Crawford County.

Financial Rigor

Heavy manufacturing facilities demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed, analyze change orders, and model the financial impact of decisions before they're made.

Mid-Market Focus

Projects in the $500K to $50M range are our specialty. These projects need professional oversight but may not attract attention from Toledo or Columbus-focused firms.

Conflict-Free Advocacy

We never build; we only manage. This means our advice is never influenced by a desire to self-perform work or protect a margin.

Projects We Support in Bucyrus

We support the project types driving Crawford County's manufacturing economy:

Industrial & Manufacturing

Heavy equipment manufacturing, specialty steel production, and related industrial facilities.

Agricultural Commercial

Facilities supporting Crawford County's agricultural sector.

Commercial & Retail Development

New construction serving the regional economy and workforce.

Healthcare Facilities

Supporting Bucyrus Hospital and healthcare providers with specialized construction.

We serve communities throughout North Central Ohio including Tiffin, Marion, and Upper Sandusky.

The Right Time to Engage an Owner's Rep

The greatest value we provide comes from early engagement, before you've committed to a property or finalized designs. Our Fatal Flaw Analysis investigates infrastructure capacity, rail access, and site conditions while there's still time to negotiate or walk away.

If your Bucyrus project is already underway and facing challenges, we can help stabilize the situation through rigorous change order review and contractor accountability. But prevention is always more cost-effective than cure.

Contact DeVore Consulting to discuss your Bucyrus project.

Services Overview

Services For Small Business Owners

We provide comprehensive project oversight for business owners and developers who need expert guidance through the construction process. With 20+ years overseeing the design and construction of residential and commercial, we know where problems hide and how to prevent them.

Black construction hard hat with scratches and a blue geometric elephant logo on the side.

FAQs

Is Your Project on Your Mind?

These FAQs are a starting point, but your project has specific goals, risks, and financial stakes. My role is to be your trusted guide.I protect your time and money by simplifying the process, providing experienced oversight, and preventing costly mistakes before they happen.

What is the Imasen Bucyrus Technology expansion?

Imasen Bucyrus Technology is creating 170 positions with $7.7 million in new payroll for manufacturing seats and seat control mechanisms for automotive clients. This significant investment absorbs contractor capacity in Crawford County. We help mid-market projects compete for contractor attention while this expansion proceeds.

How did Crawford County achieve top 3% national ranking for economic development?

Crawford County tied for 16th out of 542 micropolitan counties in Site Selection's rankings, reaching the top 3%. This reflects $65 million in investment and 178 new jobs in 2023, with expansions by Eagle Crusher, Hord Family Farms, and Tramec Sloan. For construction projects, this active market means opportunity but also competition for contractor resources.

Are there owner's representative services that offer post-construction and facility management support?

Yes. Our service doesn't end when the contractor hands over the keys. Our "Phase 4: Closeout" process includes comprehensive warranty management and post-occupancy support to ensure your building functions as intended. We ensure all final documentation and manuals are collected, which is the foundation for your long-term facility management.

Can I get a free consultation with an owner's representative firm?

Of course. We'll provide you with all the free advice you can handle. But to get started formally, we'll have to make sure our services align with you needs. We'll get to know your project aspirations and put together a proposal. Until we have an agreement no payment is expected.

What are the typical fees for owner's representative services in construction?

Depending on scope, fees typically range from 0.5% to 1% of the total construction cost, depending on the project's complexity, timeline, and the specific scope of services you need . Studies have shown this investment typically saves clients 3-5% on total construction costs through rigorous contractor management, change order review, and problem prevention, meaning the service more than pays for itself.

Are there owner's representative services available for small business construction projects?

Yes. While some firms only focus on large institutional projects, we specialize in guiding small business owners and first-time developers. The need for an owner's rep depends more on your project's complexity than its size. A complex $2M restaurant renovation often has more risk than a simple $5M warehouse. We can help you assess if professional oversight makes financial sense for your specific project .

Can I hire an owner's representative for a single phase of my construction project?

Absolutely. While we add the most value by being involved from pre-construction through closeout , we can tailor our services to your specific needs. We are often brought in just for pre-construction planning, to help with contractor selection, or to get a troubled project that's already underway back on track.

Can an owner's representative help secure financing for a construction project?

Yes. An owner's rep with a strong financial background is invaluable here. With an MBA in Real Estate Finance, we help you prepare the realistic, bank-ready documents lenders need to see. We create defensible pro formas, validate construction budgets, and manage the loan draw process, which builds essential trust and credibility with your lender.

Connect

Consult an Expert

This information goes to a real human being. Its a great way to learn more and start the conversation without any obligation. We will never provide your personal or contact information to a 3rd party.

Your request has been received. We'll respond shortly.
Error submitting form. Please try again later.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript