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A teacher finds value in adding truss math to her curriculum
What The Truss Company did to recover once Washington re-opened for business
These unique truss configurations require special design considerations
Over the course of the year I have used this column to highlight the development of SBCA’s multi-year strategic plan.
In May, SBCA was contacted by a component manufacturer (CM) member who recently had over $6,000 fraudulently stolen.
Articles
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed many teams to dive headfirst into working remotely whether they were ready or not. However, the last decade has increasingly seen companies and employees drawn to the flexibility remote work can bring to the table. From managing daily communication and collaboration, to ensuring your team members have the hardware, software, speed, and access they need to be productive and efficient, join members of SBCA’s IT Committee as they share their best practices for building successful remote teams.
Margaret Whelan is the CEO and Founder of Whelan Advisory LLC, a boutique investment bank that provides tailored services to housing companies that are looking to raise capital or pursue an M&A transaction. Her firm has advised several innovative companies in the industry including Entekra, Raney, Trumark, ResiBuilt, and Innovative Construction Group. She discusses how modular framing is creating a shift in the construction industry and how this could affect component manufacturers (CMs). She also provides insight into the opportunities for CMs and her perspective on how these innovations will shape the future of framing.
Art Schmon, a partner at Forest Economic Advisers, shares his perspective on wood-framed floor systems. Art discusses how floor system framing options have evolved over the years and the market pressures that have driven those changes. He also provides insight into what he expects will happen with I-joist and floor truss market share in the near future and the opportunities he sees for component manufacturers.
Quality control and quality assurance are both important parts of the component manufacturing process, but what are they? How are they different? And how can they work together to make your manufacturing process better? Listen in as Jess Lohse and Molly Butz from SBCA staff talk through the QC and QA processes, answer the tough questions, and shed some light on the specifics of SBCA’s Digital QC and SBCRI’s Independent 3rd Party Inspection programs.
Hardy Wentzel, CEO of Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation, explains what CLT is and how it's made. He also shares what prompted the original development of CLT and what is driving its current adoption in North America. In addition, Hardy explores how the 2021 model codes will expand CLT construction and potentially create more market opportunities for component manufacturers.
Mike Bugbee, part owner of Oregon Truss in Salem, Oregon, shares his perspectives on the evolution of the component manufacturing industry through the lens of his long career at Simpson Strong-Tie. He explains how his relationships with early pioneers in component manufacturing helped influence today’s industry, and how his sales approach can help component manufacturers expand their markets today.
Gene Frogale is the president of Annandale Millwork & Allied Systems in Winchester, Virginia, and Jeff Taake is the vice president of manufacturing and commercial sales at Mead Lumber Co. with component operations throughout the upper Midwest. Listen as Gene and Jeff relate on how their organizations have reacted to COVID-19 and their outlooks for the immediate future in the component manufacturing industry post-COVID-19.
Mike Ruede and Scott Ward discuss the various challenges the COVID-19 Coronavirus has created for their businesses and what they are doing to overcome them. Mike is the COO of A-1 Roof Trusses in Fort Pierce, Florida, and Scott is an owner at Southern Components located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Listen as they share insights, best practices and their outlook beyond this pandemic.
Joe Hikel and Steve Stroder discuss their reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they're leading their businesses through the various challenges they've faced in recent weeks. Joe is the CEO and President of Shelter Systems Limited and Steve Stroder is the CEO and President of California TrusFrame. They provide insights into how the remainder of 2020 will look and how their companies will be impacted by what they are learning today.
Dave Mitchell is the general manager and Zach Shepherd is the operations manager at Engineered Building Design (EBD) in Washington, Iowa. Dave and Zach discuss how they are evolving EBD to grow while still retaining a loyal customer base in a competitive market. They also share their insights into EBD's business model and internal culture, as well as what success will look like in five years.
Scott Arquilla, former co-owner, vice president, and COO of Best Homes, Inc., shares how his family got started in the homebuilding industry and the unique challenges they faced operating in the Chicago market. Scott discusses why he got involved in SBCA and what prompted him to join the Board of Directors in 1997. While SBCA president in 2003, his truss plant burned to the ground. He reflects on what he would have done differently to both prepare for and recover from the disaster and offers advice to component manufacturers.
Jason Ward, vice president of human resources for California TrusFrame LLC, shares best practices for hiring new employees, creating a positive workplace culture, and understanding applicable HR-related regulations. Jason has 19 years of HR experience, and in his current role leading CTF’s overall HR strategy he offers great insight into how to successfully onboard new employees and instill a sense of loyalty. He also provides tips for enhancing your hiring process and explores common pitfalls to avoid.
Reggie Stoltzfus, owner and president of Dutchcraft Truss in Minerva, Ohio, shares his experience as a component manufacturer (CM)and member of the Ohio House of Representatives. Reggie discusses why he chose to serve in government and became an advocate for small businesses and CMs across his state, while highlighting the value building relationships with elected officials can bring to your business.
Dean DeHoog is the director of manufacturing for Standard Building Systems, a US LBM company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His extensive experience and unique journey informs his powerful perspective on the industry's strengths and current challenges. Dean shares his own approach to management and gives insight into the US LBM culture.
Chris Tatge, co-owner of Dynamic Construction in Stoughton, Wisconsin, shares his perspective on how component manufacturers (CMs) can benefit from partnering with their framers and provides insight into how the framing industry is evolving. As executive director of the National Framers Council (NFC), Chris also shares how the NFC has grown and the value it offers to framers both big and small.
SBCA President Mike Ruede shares his thoughts on what component manufacturers could do to better promote their businesses and how SBCA’s strategic plan fits in. Mike is the executive vice president and chief operating officer at A-1 Roof Trusses in Fort Pierce, Florida and this is his second term as SBCA president (he previously served as president in 2002). Mike also shares his history in the industry and explains how he believes the industry needs to change in order to grow and prosper.
Gene Frogale and his brother Rob are co-presidents of Annandale Millwork & Allied Systems in Winchester, Virginia. Gene shares the history behind their family-owned business and how his comprehensive approach to sales and marketing has been influential in its success. As SBCA's current treasurer and membership committee chair, Gene also explains how the association has helped to grow the industry and impact his business.
Jason Hikel shares unconventional IT tips and ideas that have contributed to his company’s success. As the IT Director at Shelter Systems Limited in Westminster, Maryland, Jason continually looks for new ways to improve the component manufacturing process while keeping the reality of user buy-in front and center. Jason discusses how the equipment, technology, automation, and drive for “what’s next” keeps him excited about this industry.
Richard Brown and Jim Finkenhoefer met in 1986 at a Georgia Component Manufacturers Association meeting and later partnered in operating Truss Systems, a wood and cold-formed steel component manufacturing plant in Oxford, Georgia. In this podcast, these two entrepreneurs share how they successfully ran a truss plant together for almost 30 years on nothing more than a hand-shake agreement and remain friends today.
Barry is the owner and CEO of True House in Jacksonville, Florida, and is an early adopter of technology and automation in the component manufacturing industry. Barry shares why his business has integrated up and down the supply chain over the years to make it more successful. He also provides guidance on how to evaluate opportunities for integration to better serve your customers.
Angie and her daughter, Ashley, share their experiences as women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Both Angie and Ashley work at California TrusFrame (CTF), which is based in Murrieta, CA and has five locations throughout the state. Angie has 26 years of experience in the industry and currently serves as vice president of supply chain. Ashley has been a sales representative for CTF since 2017.
Matt Layman, president of Layman's Lumber Guide, discusses current lumber market trends with SBCA Executive Director, Kirk Grundahl. Matt has worked in lumber commodities for nearly four decades and uses his real-world experience to analyze and forecast the lumber market.