Innova History

The History of the InnovaPanel® Building System

Welcome to Innova Panel, Home of the InnovaPanel®

The InnovaPanel® is the next generation of Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) technology and represents the future of high-performance building systems. Manufactured with magnesium oxide (MgO) cement skins, InnovaPanels® deliver superior strength, durability, moisture resistance, and fire performance compared to conventional fiber-cement and OSB SIP systems.

The InnovaPanel® was among the first load-bearing magnesium oxide structural insulated panel systems to successfully complete Miami-Dade County testing and receive a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for use in Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), with tested performance under wind loads exceeding 200 mph.

Beyond laboratory testing and third-party certifications, InnovaPanel® technology has been validated under real-world conditions. Homes constructed with InnovaPanel® systems have endured an EF-2 tornado, three Category 5 hurricanes, and one Category 4 hurricane, all with the same remarkable outcome—no reported structural damage and no water intrusion.

To date, more than 700 residential and commercial units have been constructed utilizing InnovaPanel® technology. Whether building one home or an entire community, the InnovaPanel® fast-track construction system provides a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable approach to construction. Because all major building components are engineered and precision-manufactured in a controlled factory environment, construction schedules are accelerated, waste is reduced, and labor requirements are significantly minimized.

Buildings constructed with InnovaPanel® systems can reduce heating and cooling energy consumption by 30% to 70% compared to conventionally constructed structures, providing long-term savings while enhancing occupant comfort.

Executive Summary

The InnovaPanel® Building System represents more than two decades of research, development, testing, and commercialization in advanced structural insulated panel (SIP) technology. Conceived and developed by Jerry Gillman, a South Florida builder and Auburn University Building Science graduate, the technology evolved from traditional SIP concepts into one of the first magnesium oxide (MgO) structural panel systems to receive formal regulatory approval in the United States.

Innova further distinguished itself by obtaining approvals for use in Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), one of the most demanding building code environments in the world. The company’s innovations helped establish engineering precedents for the acceptance of structural magnesium oxide building products in North America.

While Innova Eco Building System, LLC served as the original manufacturing and commercialization entity, the underlying technology, patents, and intellectual property were developed by Jerry Gillman and licensed to Innova Eco Building System. At its peak, Innova Eco Building System was over 90% owned by South American investors, while Jerry Gillman served as CEO and technology developer.

Following the expiration of the technology license agreement in early 2020, Jerry Gillman formed Innova Panel, LLC in Pompano Beach, Florida, consolidating ownership of the patents, product approvals, trademarks, engineering data, and intellectual property under a new operating company focused on manufacturing, engineering, licensing, and continued product development.

Origins of the Technology (1983–2010)

Early Exposure to SIP Technology

During 1983 and 1984, Jerry Gillman worked as a project manager on a major airport concourse expansion project in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During this period, he was first introduced to Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) construction technology. The concept of combining structure and insulation into a single building component left a lasting impression and would later become the foundation for the InnovaPanel® Building System.

Hurricane Experience and the Foundation of Disaster-Resistant Design (1992–2004)

Long before the development of the InnovaPanel® Building System, Jerry Gillman gained extensive firsthand experience evaluating building failures following major hurricanes.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida as one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. As a licensed contractor and construction professional, Gillman inspected and estimated damage on thousands of hurricane-damaged homes throughout South Dade County and participated in the repair and reconstruction of more than 150 homes. This experience provided a unique opportunity to study structural failures, water intrusion issues, roofing failures, window and door failures, and the shortcomings of conventional building systems under extreme wind conditions.

Twelve years later, in 2004, Hurricane Charley devastated portions of Southwest Florida, including North Captiva Island. Gillman was among the first contractors involved in the recovery effort, securing more than 50 severely damaged homes and ultimately performing in excess of $5 million in hurricane-related repairs on the island. Once again, he had the opportunity to closely evaluate how various conventional construction methods failed under extreme storm conditions.

These experiences proved invaluable. By observing thousands of building failures and hundreds of repair projects, Gillman developed a deep understanding of the weaknesses inherent in traditional construction methods. He identified recurring issues related to structural connections, air and moisture intrusion, thermal inefficiencies, impact resistance, and overall building resilience.

The lessons learned from Hurricanes Andrew and Charley became a driving force behind the development of the InnovaPanel® Building System. Rather than simply creating another structural insulated panel, Gillman’s goal was to engineer a complete building envelope specifically designed to address the failures repeatedly observed in hurricane-prone regions.

Many of the system’s defining characteristics—including its high-impact magnesium cement skins, load-bearing design, superior moisture resistance, continuous insulation, and ability to withstand extreme wind loads—can be traced directly to lessons learned in the aftermath of these historic storms.

Real-World Validation: Hurricane Dorian

Those lessons were put to the ultimate test in September 2019 when Category 5 Hurricane Dorian devastated the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. Making landfall with sustained winds of 185 mph, Dorian became one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin. Hurricane Hunter aircraft and post-storm analyses indicated that localized wind gusts may have exceeded 220 mph in portions of the Abaco Islands before many weather monitoring stations failed during the storm.

Dorian stalled over the northern Bahamas for nearly 40 hours, subjecting homes and buildings to prolonged Category 5 hurricane conditions, catastrophic storm surge estimated between 18 and 23 feet, and widespread destruction. More than 75% of the homes on Great Abaco suffered severe damage or complete destruction, thousands were left homeless, and at least 74 lives were lost.

Yet one home constructed with the InnovaPanel® Building System, located high on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, survived with only minor cosmetic damage to its exterior finishes. While neighboring structures were devastated by one of the most powerful and prolonged hurricane events in modern history, the InnovaPanel® home remained standing and intact.

The performance was not the result of chance it was the culmination of decades of hurricane recovery experience, engineering, testing, and innovation focused on creating a truly disaster-resistant building system.

Laboratory testing is important, but few validations are more compelling than facing Mother Nature at her worst and coming out standing strong.

Patents and Intellectual Property Development

A key component of InnovaPanel®’s success has been its commitment to innovation and intellectual property protection. During the development of the InnovaPanel® Building System, Jerry Gillman secured multiple U.S. patents covering critical technologies, including high-impact load-bearing panel systems, reinforced spline connections, moisture barrier technologies, structural insulated panel connection methods, and advanced stress-skin manufacturing processes.

By 2026, these innovations had formed a significant intellectual property portfolio supporting the continued growth, licensing, and expansion of the InnovaPanel® Building System throughout North America and international markets. These patents remain a cornerstone of the company’s long-term strategy and competitive advantage.

Commercial Growth and Industry Recognition (2016–2019)

SIPA Recognition

Beginning in 2016, projects utilizing InnovaPanel technology received recognition from the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), earning awards in categories including:

• Affordable Housing
• Agricultural Structures
• Energy Efficiency
• Green Building Applications

International Expansion

By 2017, Innova expanded distribution throughout:

• The Caribbean
• Central America
• South America

The system gained recognition as a resilient building solution for hurricane-prone regions.

Industry Leadership

During this period, the company promoted magnesium oxide SIP technology as an alternative to:

• Masonry block
• Wood framing
• Traditional SIPs
• Light-gauge steel systems

The focus remained on resilience, energy efficiency, and construction speed.

Corporate Restructuring and Licensing Transition (2019–2020)

By 2019, the original corporate structure began transitioning from regional manufacturing toward a broader technology licensing model.

As the technology licensing agreement between Jerry Gillman and Innova Eco Building System approached expiration, preparations were made for a new corporate structure that would place ownership and operation of the technology directly under a new company.

Formation of Innova Panel, LLC (2020)

Following the expiration of the technology license agreement in early 2020, Jerry Gillman established Innova Panel, LLC in Pompano Beach, Florida. The new company became the owner and steward of:

• Patents
• Product approvals
• Engineering data
• Trademarks
• Manufacturing know-how

• Proprietary processes

The transition consolidated all intellectual property and future development activities under Innova Panel, LLC.

Continued Innovation and Expansion (2021–2024)

During this period, Innova Panel, LLC focused on:

• Custom engineered residential kits
• Light commercial structures
• Expanded engineering services
• New product testing
• National distribution opportunities

The company also continued refining panel profiles and assemblies to meet evolving coastal code requirements and moisture management standards.

High-Rise and Light-Gauge Steel Development (2025–Present)

A major milestone occurred with updated Miami-Dade approvals that expanded the use of InnovaPanel technology with light-gauge steel framing systems.

Miami-Dade NOA No. 25-0401.02 allows the use of structural magnesium oxide insulated panels connected directly to light-gauge steel framing, supporting future applications in:

• Mid-rise construction
• Commercial buildings
• Institutional facilities
• Future high-rise building systems

Real-World Performance Legacy

Beyond laboratory testing and code approvals, InnovaPanel technology has been validated through real-world performance.

Structures built using the system have reportedly endured:

• An EF-2 tornado
• Three Category 5 hurricanes
• One Category 4 hurricane

with no reported structural failures or water intrusion, reinforcing the system’s reputation for resilience in extreme weather environments.

Looking Forward

Today, Innova Panel, LLC continues to advance the original vision established by Jerry Gillman: developing safer, stronger, more energy-efficient, and more sustainable building systems.

Future initiatives include:

• Increased Magnesium Board Stock with direct sales to industry
• Additional manufacturing facilities
• National distribution partnerships
• Expanded commercial applications
• Additional fire and structural testing

• High-rise approvals
• ESG-focused and low-carbon construction technologies

The long-term objective is to establish InnovaPanel® as a nationally recognized building platform capable of serving residential, commercial, institutional, and disaster-resistant construction markets throughout the United States and internationally.

There is a Better Way to Build, it is the Innova Way!