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In 1947 construction began on a new state-of-the-art packing shed.

The unique size of this agricultural processing plant required a unique extensive column free span for the main central production areas.  This unique need introduced a one-of-a-kind facility to South Texas.

The solution was building a roof framing system referred to as "lamella structure." 

Lamella Structures originated in Germany in 1908 for the construction of factories and aircraft hangers.  This system is characterized as a barrel vault made from a network of short timbers.  The structure design was introduced in the United States in 1925 and was used in the period from the late 1930's through the 1940's. (Timber Design Construction Handbook, Timber Engineering, 1956.  ppg 181-190).

The use of timber-lamella roof structures was fairly limited in its application.  Noser Lumber and Construction was the only company in South Texas that was granted the rights to use the patented German system. 

Aside from the Valley Fruit & Vegetable Co. building there are only two other structures in the Valley containing lamella roofs - Sam Houston School in Weslaco and the old Gym at the Raymondville High School.

At the height of its activity in the late 1940's, Valley Fruit Company was the world's largest packing and shipping company and it dominated the world-wide grapefruit market.