Can’t Miss Industry Educational Program for 2020
Truss Manufacturers Association of Texas
Educational Meeting
Hilton Austin Airport
9515 Hotel Dr. Austin, Texas
Directions
February 6, 2020
Meeting Schedule:
9am - 4:30pm with Lunch
4:30 - 5pm Baord Meeting
The cost to attend is $60 per person.
Space is limited so register soon!
Please contact staff to register or email Trish Kutz.
Please join the Truss Manufacturers Association Texas (TMAT) for the Texas Educational Meeting on Thursday, February 6 at the Hilton Austin Airport in Austin, TX.
Beyond 5s – How Total Productive Maintenance Is Changing Our Culture
BJ Louws, Owner / President – Louws Truss Inc.: BJ Louws is the third generation for Louws Truss in Washington state. BJ started in the industry in 2007 after completing a double major in economics and business administration from Seattle Pacific University. BJ has made a reputation as a lean manufacturing expert in the truss industry. He was introduced to lean manufacturing concepts in college but got his first real world application in 2009 through a grant from Washington State. While many of the original attempts at lean were failures, this sparked an interest that has ultimately transformed the way his company operates.
Louws Truss has embraced lean concepts and is a leader in just-in-time cutting and one truss flow. They have had the opportunity to partner with Lean Manufacturing experts in the Pacific Northwest and have the pleasure to work with non-competing businesses on lean initiatives, many from the local aerospace industry.
Hiring Right
Michael Ruede, EVP & COO – A1 Roof Trusses: Currently serving in his second term as SBCA President, Michael began his industry career in 1986 and, in addition to his current position, has worked with several esteemed component companies, including Trussway Manufacturing, Woodinville Lumber, and Foxworth- Galbraith. His extensive history serving in management positions and industry-shaping markets qualifies him as an industry expert. Michael is a veteran of the Navy and currently resides in St. Lucie, Florida with his wife Randee.
Dominoes, Don’t Watch Them Fall
Brad Gardner – Helping Hands Presentations: A graduate of Idaho State University, Brad has 39 years of safety experience with ten years spent in safety management. Brad’s powerful and impactful presentation has been viewed by many Fortune 1000 companies and outside the U.S. in China, Africa and Canada. Companies have reported that he speaks from the heart. A favorite at BCMC in 2017 and 2018, Brad’s communication technique is simple, interactive, and leaves a lasting impression. Brad and his wife, Dolores, reside in Crane Hill, Alabama.
Business Intelligence: How Our Industry Can Do a Better Job of Using Data to Our Advantage
Ben Hershey, President – 4Ward Holding Group: Ben is the Owner and President of 4ward Holdings which includes 4Ward Consulting Group, 4Ward Design & Labor Solutions, 4Ward Offsite Solutions, and 4Ward Accounting Solutions. His team of business solution providers and technical designers have more than 150 years of experience in structural wood and metal manufacturing, as well as lumber and building material distribution. Ben’s experience has been in public and private companies with both a regional and national presence. He has been an owner and operator of numerous companies including six component manufacturing facilities and one glu-laminated company.
Big data, big data, big data. It’s here to stay and we need to get used to it. So many companies outside our industry are now using it that they gain an advantage over those who don’t. In this session, we’ll discuss ways that members can use data to create dashboards and various other methods of data analyzation to allow you to be more strategic in reaching goals, increase profitability, and customer satisfaction.
Ben and his wife, Dianne, live in Stanwood, Washington, and are active in their local community. In his spare time, Ben plays the piano locally at restaurants and jazz bars and at the church they attend. Ben has an BS in economics from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and an MBA from Western Governors University.
Please contact staff to register or email Trish Kutz.