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Updated: 53 min 55 sec ago

LP Invests $45M in Innovative Component Manufacturer

Mon, 2018-05-14 10:57

Louisiana-Pacific is addressing the construction labor shortage head on. The company has invested $45 million in Entekra, a design, engineering and manufacturing firm that provides off-site framing for both residential and commercial construction.

Simpson Sponsors ICC’s Building Safety Month

Mon, 2018-05-07 12:56

Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, is joining other industry associations and organizations in supporting the International Code Council's (ICC) 2018 Building Safety Month in May.

Alpine Releases AutoMill SC Component Saw Upgrade

Mon, 2018-05-07 12:52

Alpine announces immediate availability of its AutoMill SC Upgrade April 6, 2018, enabling owners of Alpine’s AutoMill SC component saw to upgrade to a new control system.

Video: Stick-Framer Incorporates Attic Trusses

Mon, 2018-05-07 12:21

This time-lapse video shows how one stick-frame builder recently combined attic trusses and rafters to quickly build a studio apartment over a garage and a dormered third story on the main house.

Stackable CFS Steel-Framed Units New Multifamily Trend?

Mon, 2018-05-07 12:16

Full Stack Modular approaches the construction of a building by creating an electronic production model of what is going to be built and all of the instructions on how to do it. Some processes can be automated while others require skilled workers.

Video: A One-Man Truss Framing Crew?

Mon, 2018-05-07 12:06

A member recently stumbled across the video below, which shows what just one man, a roof truss package and an oversized helping of determination can accomplish. 

Alumnus Returns to High School to Talk Trusses

Mon, 2018-05-07 10:50

In mid-April, Chris Scott of Dietrich’s North America, had the pleasure of visiting and speaking with the Construction and Manufacturing classes at his alma mater, Kankakee Valley High School, in Northwest Indiana.

CM Shares Bracing Best Practices with Building Officials

Mon, 2018-04-30 13:09

On April 12, John Goodrich, senior designer of Truss Engineering Corporation in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, presented to building officials in Groton, Connecticut.

Alpine Releases ALS 4.0 Wall Panel Printing System

Mon, 2018-04-30 13:00

Alpine announces immediate availability of its ALS 4.0 Wall Panel Printing System, enabling owners of Alpine’s 4.0 Linear Saw to upgrade its printing system for marking wall panel information on the edge of a board.

Could LEGOs Be the Future for Home Construction?

Mon, 2018-04-30 12:45

With rapid advancement in technology, one has to wonder where it is going, and what impact it may have on construction. More companies are announcing the creation of LEGO-like wood, concrete, and plastic blocks that can be mass produced and used for homes.

Manufacturers Address Labor Shortage and 'Skills Gap'

Mon, 2018-04-30 12:35

The U.S. has a big problem when it comes to the manufacturing labor, and component manufacturers (CMs) are certainly not immune to it.

Contracts Solidify SBCA-TPI Realignment

Mon, 2018-04-30 12:23

Staff of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) and Truss Plate Institute (TPI) met on February 20-23, 2018 to further refine the approach to association realignment and related management issues. 

Homebuilder Profits Opportunity for Recouping Margin?

Mon, 2018-04-30 11:45

Recent earnings reports from public builders like D.R. Horton, Meritage and Tripointe (as examples) make it clear homebuilders are not struggling to make a profit even as labor and building material prices have risen sharply. 

Senate Confirms New Chair of National Labor Board

Mon, 2018-04-30 11:18

The National Labor Relations Board is now controlled by a 3-2 Republican majority, a reversal of the Obama-era NLRB which oversaw a number of far-reaching, pro-union initiatives.

Is the Multifamily Slowdown Only Temporary?

Mon, 2018-04-30 11:10

This article makes clear, the perceived “glut” in multifamily construction is likely temporary.  Rents continue to increase due to a shortage of supply of both single-family units and apartment units.

Continuous Insulation Solves Energy Code Math Problem

Mon, 2018-04-23 18:54

Continuous insulation (ci) and cavity insulation products are both sold with R-value ratings, but the way these two products are used in wall construction means they do not have the same effectiveness.

Is Lumber Market Emulating Lemon Market, or Just a Lemon?

Mon, 2018-04-23 13:52

It’s clear that U.S. trade relationships are critical to component manufacturers (CMs) as the CM industry relies almost exclusively on two commodities, lumber and steel. Unfortunately, domestic markets for both of these raw materials are heavily influenced by a relatively small number of foreign countries.

Map: Tracking Single-Family Permit Growth by State

Mon, 2018-04-23 11:37

Over the first two months of 2018, the total number of single-family permits issued nationwide reached 123,871. On a year-over-year basis, this is an 11.2% increase over the February 2017 level of 111,356.

BlueLinx Acquires Cedar Creek, Becomes $3.2B Company

Mon, 2018-04-23 11:34

BlueLinx announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cedar Creek, a leading building products wholesale distributor, a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners, for a purchase price of $413 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis.