Market Education

Parting Shots

The modern truss was invented in the 1900s, but using triangles in construction has been a common practice for ages. While on vacation, a member of SBC staff stumbled upon this interesting truss-like ceiling at the Duomo di Pistoia or Cattedrale di San Zeno in Pistoia, Italy. This ornately decorated portion of the roof spans a large section of pews running from an entrance up to an altar. 

Be a Good Neighbor: Harnessing the Power of a Plant Tour

Do you know how a crayon is made? How about a Hostess Twinkie? If you or your kids have ever watched Mr. Rogers, chances are you probably do.

Mr. Rogers has a great approach. “Will you be my neighbor?” is a simple question. Kids around the world (possibly including you) accepted his invitation and learned a great deal about life through his half-hour shows. One of the most intriguing and memorable parts of his show are the brief glimpses he gives us of the various facilities, laboratories and studios where things are made.

The Sun Is Shining Again

  • After years of bad news, the survivors in our industry should be proud of their hard work and accomplishments.
  • SBCA members throughout the country are reporting stronger sales and backlogs.
  • Now is the time for CMs to determine how to elevate their individual companies and the industry, create more market share for components, and handle increased volume. 

The Most Valuable Week of the Year - BCMC!

  • Access to vendors and their in-depth perspectives, coupled with the opportunity to discuss ideas and common challenges with manufacturers from all over the country, defines BCMC.
  • Take part in BCMC Build and help construct a home for a very deserving family.
  • This year’s show features more workshops and business planning sessions to help component manufacturers prepare as the housing market reemerges.

Parting Shots

You’re never too young to start designing and engineering structures. John Gruber, P.E. of Sheppard Engineering submitted this photo of his son Alex’s wood tower for his high school physics class. The project, which called for students to construct a tower of balsa wood (G=0.15), limited the tower’s height to 50 cm, with a maximum 8 cm diameter above 15 cm, and required the base to span a 20 cm opening with any orientation. The tower was loaded vertically from the top with both a hanging weight and weights applied to the top. While the tower only weighed 66.7 g (2.35 oz), it certainly stood up to the challenge, resisting 160 lb of applied load without failing—1,089 times its weight!

The Quiet Hero: Remembering Don Hershey

The structural building components industry lost one of its greatest champions, Don Hershey, when he passed away at home last November.

BCSI - Shout It from the Trussed Rooftops

  • In just under 10 years, BCSI has evolved from the booklet into Summary Sheets, JOBSITE PACKAGES, online courses and the much larger book.
  • Including the JOBSITE PACKAGE or BCSI book on invoices is an excellent best practice in case a project heads in the wrong direction.
  • SBCA Chapters have developed great relationships and reaped many benefits for their time and effort through BCSI educational programs in their markets.

A Project of Epic Proportions

30,000 leagues under the sea? Depth of monster squid. 30,000 miles per hour? Speed of a meteorite. 30,000 pounds? Weight of a new U.S.bunker-busting bomb. 30,000 square feet? Size of a single-family home framed by Blenker Building Systems in central Wisconsin.

Parting Shots

Most holiday trees have probably been taken down by now, but when we received these photos from Sun State Components, we just had to run them. A few years ago, a production manager at the Surprise, AZ, facility created these ingenious truss ornaments from balsa wood and silver gum wrappers. “We wanted to add something unique to our tree and customize it for the truss industry,” said Davi-Ann Farmer, Engineering Department Manager at Sun State. She added that these ornaments are a favorite every year, and always receive comments from customers.

Parting Shots

 

BCMC Build House completedBCMC Build house completed