Protecting People, Property, and Brand with a Bollard Rollout at Scale
United Dairy Farmers (UDF) is a regional convenience store chain and dairy retailer headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. With over 200 locations across the Midwest, UDF is known for its commitment to quality, consistency, and community care.
As vehicle-into-building crashes became a growing concern nationwide, UDF made a proactive decision to enhance safety across its entire retail footprint by installing fixed steel bollards. This was more than a precaution—it was a strategic initiative to protect customers, employees, and property from preventable harm.
The Challenge
UDF needed a trusted partner to manage a high-volume, multi-site safety infrastructure rollout. The scope was large, and the timeline was tight:
4,500+ bollards across 140+ locations
Installations across multiple Midwestern states
Active retail environments requiring minimal operational disruption
Coordination with multiple municipalities and permitting offices
Completion goal: five months
UDF’s goals were clear—protect every site, deliver a consistent brand experience, and execute without impacting daily operations.
Barranco’s Approach
As a licensed general contractor with deep experience in foodservice, retail, and convenience environments, Barranco was the ideal partner to manage a program of this complexity.
Here’s how we delivered:
Standardized Scope & Design Templates:
We developed uniform installation specs that aligned with UDF’s safety and branding standards—ensuring a consistent appearance and reducing variability across jurisdictions.
Rolling Deployment Mode:
Multiple cross-trained crews operated in tandem across multiple states, allowing for speed without sacrificing safety or precision.
Pre-Planning & Permitting:
Barranco handled all municipal coordination, permitting, and inspections—navigating unique local codes and avoiding costly delays.
On-Site Execution with Minimal Disruption:
Installations were performed during off-peak hours and in phases, preserving access for customers and maintaining traffic flow throughout each site.
Real-Time Reporting:
UDF had full visibility into project milestones, completions, and issue tracking across all locations via our cloud-based management platform.
Results
4,500+ bollards installed across 140+ sites
Zero operational downtime during installs
Consistent design and placement across all markets
Improved pedestrian and storefront safety
Stronger brand protection through uniform visual standards
Cost efficiencies achieved through volume-based sourcing and repeatable execution
An Unexpected Impact
In a recent project for United Dairy Farmers, our bollards stopped a vehicle from crashing into the storefront — a moment that showcased how our work protects not just property, but people.
This is the real impact of safety infrastructure done right.
Conclusion
Barranco’s execution of UDF’s bollard rollout demonstrates our ability to manage complex, multi-site programs with speed, consistency, and care. From proactive planning to on-time delivery, our team proved that safety doesn’t have to come at the cost of operations.
With storefront crashes occurring over 100 times per day in the U.S. (according to the Storefront Safety Council), bollards are no longer just a precaution—they’re an essential part of protecting people, property, and brand reputation.
Looking Ahead
UDF continues to partner with Barranco for general contracting and infrastructure projects, confident in our ability to deliver at scale with precision.
If you’re ready to roll out a bollard program across your chain, Barranco is ready to lead the way.