SBC Industry News

Berkshire Hathaway home construction juggernaut, Clayton Properties Group, has added a ninth gem to its growing trove of privately-operated site-build home builders, a Central Florida power player, Highland Homes.

BMC Stock Holdings experienced healthy growth in net income and gross profit year over year (YOY) during the first quarter of 2019, while net sales were negatively impacted by price deflation, the company reported in its first quarter earnings report.

Builders FirstSource (BFS) posted a net income of $35.7 million in the first quarter of 2019, which is more than a 50% increase from the same period last year.

One of the Truss Plate Institute’s (TPI) 2019 initiatives is a response to the industry unified data standard (UDS) work undertaken by the Structural Building Components Association’s (SBCA) IT Committee in 2018 to provide more efficient and timely communication between manufacturing equipment and truss design and management software. 

The first test for any new construction project is determining the building codes that will apply to it. This article will briefly outline how every project falls into one of two model codes based on the features of the structure. 

Canada will appeal last week’s decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) which ruled to allow the United States to use “zeroing” to calculate anti-dumping tariffs, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement on Monday.

It’s sort of a natural progression for real estate investors to move into home flipping, then into small development. Many real estate investors dream of one day being a big developer. Unfortunately, many investors chase that dream right over a cliff. It’s starting to feel a little like a cliff is ahead, and so I’m leaving the herd and changing directions.

Roseburg Forest Products today announced a reorganization of its manufacturing operations oversight structure, moving away from product line divisions and toward a geographic and functional support system of organization. Senior Vice President of Operations Jake Elston said that effective immediately all Roseburg plants in North America will be grouped in Western and Eastern teams, each overseen by its own manufacturing director.

The Carroll County Career and Technology Center (CCCTC) Carpentry program, taught by Mr. Jon Mersinger, has developed great partnerships with local businesses like Shelter Systems and Habitat for Humanity allowing students to see first-hand what their future career may entail.

Kylmala Truss is certified in the SBCA In-Plant Quality Control (QC) program and receives quarterly 3rd Party Quality Audits (QA) from the SBCRI-TPI 3rd Party inspection program.

BCMC continues to grow, and 2019 looks to be bigger and better than last year! With the May 1 early bird deadline in the rearview mirror and 57,100 square feet contracted, the show is already pushing the final floor space of BCMC 2018 in Milwaukee!

For anyone using UpCodes or the printed version of the 2018 IBC, it is important to pay close attention to the errata when it comes to Section 1705.5.2 Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Trusses Spanning 60 Feet or Greater.

Anyone in the component manufacturing industry can quickly identify what happened in the collapse of the 80-foot span trusses from this incident, which occurred on April 11, 2019.

Drivers addicted to drugs will likely have a much more difficult time maintaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) beginning next year – potentially making it more difficult for carriers to seat their trucks, according to a trucking regulation expert.

Berkshire Hathaway-owned Clayton, which made its name as America's No. 1 manufactured home producer, announced plans this week to build a $14-million, 130,000 square foot facility in Westmoreland, Tenn., that will set up to produce wall panels and trusses spec'd for use among builders of single-family and multifamily site-built homes and apartments.

Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, will bring a complete line of cold-formed steel (CFS) connector innovations and framing solutions to the INTEX Construction Expo April 25–26 in Baltimore, Maryland. INTEX Expo is the largest tradeshow focused specifically on the wall and ceiling industry, showcasing the latest products, services, and solutions for drywall, ceilings and acoustics, metal framing, and insulation.

According to a recent survey of construction professionals by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk, 80 percent indicated they are struggling to fill hourly positions. In addition, 81 percent of construction firms said it is only going to become more difficult.

According to HGTV.com, adding a deck, patio, or porch to an existing home returns 90% of the money invested at the sale of the home. While an outdoor living space is something that homeowners desire, either for personal use or for potential resale value, the structural implications of adding a deck to a home constructed with floor trusses are significant. In order to prevent deck installation from becoming an issue, there are a few things components manufacturers (CMs) should be aware of if clients are interested in preemptively or retroactively installing a deck- ledger.

An International Code Council and American Society of Civil Engineers lawsuit is taking aim at UpCodes, a startup that aims to make code compliance easier for architects and construction professionals through a free, searchable database of regulations and accompanying tools.

Home fire sprinklers can help eliminate tragedies, but legislative barriers and a general unawareness of this technology have prevented its use in new homes. America’s fire service and safety advocates will be able to take action in unison to raise national awareness during Fire Sprinkler Week.