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11 Questions with Jim James

  • ITW formed its Building Components Group (BCG) following the 2006 acquisitions of Truswal and Alpine. 
  • Jim James heads the BCG, and brings a fresh perspective to the company. 
  • ITW believes the building components industry is poised to streamline parts of the construction process.

2008 WTCA Membership Directory

Publisher's Message: A Look at Change

  • This issue of SBC highlights Design & Engineering.
  • The cover story on page 22 features cold-formed steel components, which contributed to LEED certification.
  • Find out what you should know about the new ANSI/TPI standard on page 28.
  • Automation veteran Jerry Koskovich is honored on page 34.

BCMC & Your Business Plan: The Power of Suggestion

  • Component manufacturers have the potential to have a big impact on BCMC’s success this year.
  • Some exhibitors view the show floor as a huge networking roundtable.
  • BCMC is a win-win situation for attendees and exhibitors.

WTCA Update: Shelter Systems Limited Manages Risk with SCORE Certification

  • Shelter Systems Limited believes that SCORE certification is one way to protect the company.
  • The company embraced the requirements of SCORE, even when it came to implementing WTCA programs that they wouldn’t have voluntarily chosen to use.
  • Operation Safety and ORisk are programs that delivered surprising benefits to Shelter.

Chapter Corner

Cold-Formed Steel Helps Achieve LEED

  • Becoming certified under a green building standard is a growing national trend for public schools and other government buildings.
  • Under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED, using CFS trusses can earn one or two points for a project under credits 4.1 and 4.2.
  • Verifying that CFS supplied for a job qualifies for LEED points is not tedious for CMs.

New & Improved: ANSI/TPI 1-2007

  • TPI 1-2007 will be referenced in the 2009 International Building Code and International Residential Code.
  • The TPI 1 Project Committee consisted of about 50 individuals representing the industry.
  • The changes that have been made to TPI 1 will make for a more user-friendly document.
  • The mandatory net section lumber limit on tension introduced into a wood member was replaced by a non-mandatory user note recommending a limit of 2300 pounds/inch.

Getting to Know the "Saw Man": Celebrating the Career of Jerry Koskovich

  • Jerry Koskovich, an inventor of automated solutions for truss plants, retired from the industry this year.
  • Koskovich’s first automated component saw was installed at Villaume Industries in 1985.
  • Koskovich is grateful to many people in the industry and will continue to consult for The Koskovich Company.

Online TTWs: Education & Convenience Just a Click Away (Part 3 of 3)

  • TTW online presentations offer affordability and convenience for professionals in the building community.
  • Architect Mike Koehl found the TTW on fire assemblies very useful.
  • Engineer Tom Jank said his bracing questions for a project he was working on were answered by the online TTWs he viewed.
  • Professionals can view TTWs at no charge; quizzes for CEU credit cost $25 per presentation.

Reduce Risk & Increase Revenue: Defining Best Practices for Ensuring High Quality Manufacturing of Wall Panels (Part 4 of 6)

  • Quality assurance is process oriented while quality control is product oriented.
  • Essentially, QA/QC is a proactive effort to protect and sustain your company name, your company products, and your company profit margins. Think of a QA/QC program as a firewall against defects.
  • You can begin by establishing “Perfor-mance Criteria” required by each department to complete a given task.

BCMC & Your Business Plan: Denver on a Budget: Keepin' It Real

  • When you compare the value and the cost of attending BCMC, you find that there many reasons to make the trip. 
  • WTCA component manufacturer members pay $175 for their first full registration and $140 for each additional. 
  • With a wide variety of characters in the industry, BCMC is entertaining!

WTCA Update: Case in Point: True House Educates, Motivates with SCORE

  • True House views SCORE certification as an opportunity for continuing education. 
  • The company has reached the Achiever level and continues to pursue Elite. 
  • By taking part in the programs that make up SCORE, there have been culture changes and fewer back charges.

The Big Picture: Global Warming "Cap and Trade" Regulation

  • Carbon dioxide emissions are believed to be a major contributing factor to global warming. 
  • Congressional proposals to limit carbon dioxide emissions of businesses are called “cap and trade” energy bills. 
  • Cap and trade policies would increase energy costs for companies and possibly even residences. 
  • United States’ businesses would be at a competitive disadvantage to nations not operating under CO2 regulations if cap and trade legislation is passed by Congress.

Chapter Corner

In Memoriam: Raymond J. Noonan Sr.

Deltec Homes Builds Green

  • Deltec Homes, Inc. has a strong commitment to delivering a quality energy efficient home to its customers while lessening its environmental impact. 
  • With almost 300 photovoltaic solar panels its roof, Deltec produces 66,000 kW-hr each year. 
  • The company replaced all light fixtures with energy efficient fluorescent lighting to cut down on energy costs. 
  • CEO David Hall said focusing on environmental stewardship has met customers’ needs and made the company more profitable.

2008 SBC Legislative Conference Recap