CM Toolkit Search

Industry Testing at SBCRI Is Multi-ply-ing

What will happen if the plies of a multi-ply girder truss are not fastened together properly? Overloading and, potentially, chord fractures can occur.  

What the Code Says: Truss Placement Diagrams

Truss placement diagrams (TPDs) may be one of the more misunderstood documents in our industry. 

Finding Workers Takes a Proactive Approach

Implement proven strategies now to prepare for another busy building season

Housekeeping: Get Back on Track

The slow season is a perfect time to get sawdust cleaned up in your plant

Fundamentally, Automation Is About People

It’s not about the technology, it’s about the team you have to support that technology.

Talking about manufacturing automation often leads to discussions about new equipment, software or other technology. But Buddy Raney of Raney Construction and Dana Rector of Universal Forest Products are quick to point out that what’s critical is workflow planning and people.

Re-evaluating the Role of Your Inventory

There is no better time to re-think how you can streamline your processes. Answers to the questions outlined here can have a dramatic effect on your bottom line.

Why Lumber Variability Is a Problem for CMs

ALSC’s PS 20-15 has fundamentally changed what this grade stamp represents.

Few issues have demanded the attention of the SBCA Board of Directors more over the past five years than the variability of lumber design values. SBCA Legal Counsel Kent Pagel provided guidance to component manufacturers (CMs) on ways to mitigate the potential risk and liability that have arisen in the market as a result of how the lumber industry has chosen to deal with the issue of variable design properties.

Machine Rated Lumber Makes a Lot of Cents

With MSR lumber, CMs find they can more effectively deal with lumber defects that can affect connector plate teeth embedment at critical joints.

It’s one thing to have a salesperson from an MSR producer tell you the advantages of using MSR lumber in your production process. It’s an entirely different thing—and much more persuasive—to have four veteran component manufacturers (CMs) give you the reasons they’re convinced it’s better than visually graded lumber.

Diversify Your Sales Revenue: Try Turnkey!

Turnkey can be an effective way to increase sales revenue
and ensure prolonged success through more diverse product offerings.

Backing Up Your Data Isn’t Enough

The more business you do, the higher the cost of downtime. 

Let Your Numbers Give You Better Insight

Improving the presentation of your income statement helps you make sense of the financial data you’re assembling.

Getting to the Buzz Behind the Buzzwords

Lean Six Sigma is just jargon for common-sense ways to improve your operation.

Insurance: Check Your Coverage

SBCA has partnered with Lockton and AmTrust to offer members both a comprehensive policy review and a new coverage option.

Generational Shift in the Component Industry

Recognize the differences between age groups and play to their strengths for successful intergenerational management.

Natural Disaster: How Zeeland Stormed Back

After a tornado decimated one of its Michigan truss plants, Zeeland took advantage of the unexpected chance to rebuild and grow.

New Digs: SBCA’s QC Program Reloads with a Better Interface & New Layout

With a long history of developing better standards and providing an efficient quality control (QC) program, SBCA’s QC Program continues to undergo a facelift that gives more stable access to members and improves overall program efficiency to meet the needs of industry QC requirements.

At Great Lengths: A-1 Roof Truss Designs 90-Foot Trusses for Riding Arena

To what lengths can a truss go? Well, a truss can be designed to span as long as a project requires. Just take a look at the Four Winds Arena, a 20,000 sq. ft. practice riding arena with 90 ft. span trusses designed by A-1 Roof Trusses of Fort Pierce, FL.

Getting the Big Picture: The Evolution of BCMC Over the Past Decade

This year, BCMC will celebrate its 35th show as it returns to Milwaukee, WI. We thought it would be a fitting time to take a brief look at how this annual industry tradition has evolved over the past 10 years.