Rebuilding Better: How B&T Manufacturing is Reinventing Offsite Construction

After a brief pause, we’re thrilled to relaunch our Offsite Construction Series for 2025 where we highlight modular factory owners and their companies. What better way to kick things off than with a conversation with Tim Torpey, General Manager from B&T Manufacturing. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, B&T Mfg. is quietly but powerfully making waves in the offsite construction world.

Founded just eight years ago by Tim, B&T Manufacturing started with a bold leap of faith—testing out bathroom pods for a friend in Southern California. In just a few short months, they went from prototype to production, winning their first contract and laying the foundation for a company committed to innovation, quality, and responsiveness. "We’re not just building products—we’re building solutions that make life easier, safer, and more efficient for the people using them. That’s what keeps us going,” said Tim.

Precision Manufacturing with Purpose

Tim shared how early investments in FrameCAD machinery allowed B&T to not only perfect its bathroom pod systems but also branch into exciting new product categories. One of those is panelized greenhouses—an innovation sparked by a simple question from a visitor to their facility. That question led to a high-demand product designed to withstand prairie winds, ship flat-packed, and be easily assembled or expanded by DIY homeowners. These structures are not only durable but also adaptable, offering homeowners new ways to garden, grow food, and extend their living space.

H3: Comfort and Dignity on the Jobsite

Among B&T’s standout innovations is the H3 bathroom unit. Born out of a collaboration with Lendlease, the H3 is a game-changing alternative to standard chemical toilets found on construction sites. Fully functional with water and sanitation lines, it offers lights, HVAC, soap dispensers, and even hand dryers—creating a truly humane and comfortable experience for workers.

What makes the H3 so appealing is its versatility. Units can be trailered in, sent through material elevators, forklifted into place, and even rolled by hand on flat surfaces. With version five currently in production—shaped entirely by customer feedback—B&T is showing how thoughtful design and end-user empathy can redefine jobsite culture.

Building Frames for a Modular Future

Beyond pods and bathrooms, B&T is also at the forefront of the steel-framed modular housing movement. Working with companies like Mountain Modular in Idaho, B&T supplies precision-engineered frames that are assembled offsite into high-quality modular homes. With the capacity to produce two complete home packages every seven days, B&T is proving that even smaller operations can achieve scale and impact with the right systems and partnerships in place.

Tim emphasizes that adaptability has been key to B&T’s sustained growth. From H3 units to greenhouses to steel-framed homes, each product line supports the others—creating a balanced and flexible business model. And at the heart of it all is a dedicated, family-like team focused on continuous improvement, customer service, and doing meaningful work. "It’s inspiring to see how B&T continues to grow by staying grounded in innovation, customer feedback, and genuine care for their clients. This is what offsite construction is all about,” said Audree Grubesic, founder of the Offsite Dirt Network.

Takeaways:

1. Innovation Starts with Listening – Whether it’s responding to a customer’s offhand question or implementing feedback into new product versions, B&T’s success is built on being open, adaptable, and responsive.

   
   

2. Smaller Factories, Big Impact – You don’t have to be a massive operation to drive meaningful change in the offsite construction industry. With precision equipment, clear values, and strategic partnerships, B&T is proof that focused, lean manufacturing can lead to scalable success.

   
   

To learn more or see B&T Manufacturing’s work firsthand, reach out or schedule a visit to Rapid City. And as Tim says, come for the Black Hills, stay for the innovation.

Thanks for joining us on Offsite Dirt Network—where we share the stories shaping the future of building smarter.