circuit city sells broadband boosters. which may work if the signal makes it into the building AT ALL. i installed one for my mom which picks up from our office (it's inside her house) and it works GREAT. and it is (was lol) a very weak signal making it into the house.
if the signal doesn't allow him to connect at all in the metal bldg, then obviouslya range booster wont work.
and yes, he can get another router and connect the two, making sure the wireless router is where he wants to use his lappy and it will work fine.