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Reading the PE Palm - Snow Damage Analyzed, Repaired

  • In the last several years, linear saws have become quite popular with component manufacturers by offering greater flexibility than traditional component saws.
  • Servo-driven motors are the technology behind linear saws. Servo technology continues to advance at a rapid pace in the building components industry.
  • While linear saws are ideal for onesie-twosie set-ups, the standard component saw is the best type of saw for producing multiple accurate parts produced very quickly.

WTCA Update - Introduction to The Load Guide (TLG) - Part 2

  • The primary goal of The Load Guide is to provide a design load calculator for each uniquely loaded roof and floor structural component that anyone involved in designing a building can use as the basis of their design.
  • A secondary goal is to help ensure that everyone involved in a construction project agrees on the applied loads.
  • It is important to have the person responsible for determining the loads to agree to and sign off on the loads to be applied to each uniquely loaded roof or floor component. TLG makes it easy.

Building a Bigger Shelter

  • This plant can store 103 trucks of material indoors.
  • Can cut 35,000 pieces (165,000 board-feet) of lumber each day.
  • In the future, Shelter’s goal is to be able to hire 315 full time employees with annual sales topping $110 million.

Perspectives: Advancement & Enhancement

  • One concept fosters a progressive view of the future of component manufacturing: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
  • This industry is nowhere as close as it should be to achieving a true state of “automation.”
  • Things that were previously a component manufacturing focus are being weighed against enhancements that will improve productivity or cycle time in all areas of plant operations: billing to design to manufacturing to shipping.

Servo Technology & Linear Saws Offer "Limitless" Production Capacity

  • In the last several years, linear saws have become quite popular with component manufacturers by offering greater flexibility than traditional component saws.
  • Servo-driven motors are the technology behind linear saws. Servo technology continues to advance at a rapid pace in the building components industry.
  • While linear saws are ideal for onesie-twosie set-ups, the standard component saw is the best type of saw for producing multiple accurate parts produced very quickly.

Trussway: The Calm after the Perfect Storm

  • After a long struggle to keep in compliance with covenants in their credit agreement and a failed recapitalization attempt, Trussway’s only option was to restructure the company financially.
  • Their financial restructuring was completely via a five-month pre-packaged Chapter 11 filing process.
  • Trussway’s financial storm dating back to 1998 has finally blown over, and the company is enjoying financial health, prosperity and growth in its core multi-family segment.

Adventures In Advocacy: Knowing the Courts - Part 2 of 2

Builder Banter

Code Connection: Enclosure Classifications for Wind

  • The three enclosure classifications are: open, partially enclosed and enclosed.
  • These classifications are common be-tween the IBC and IRC 2000/2003 and ASCE 7-98/02.

Parting Shots

Publisher's Message: Time Flies When You're Having Fun

  • This issue of SBC Magazine houses the BCMC 2005 Show Guide which includes important information for attendees.
  • We’re celebrating two big anniversaries: SBC’s 20th year and BCMC’s 25th year.
  • Don’t miss exciting articles about the industry’s shortage of skilled labor, a surprising announcement from WTCA’s Executive Director, and a personnel management concept called “human capital investment.”

WTCA Update: Birth & Re-birth: New Life at WTCA

  • WTCA is currently experiencing a major growth spurt, the third of its kind.
  • There are many reasons for the recent growth: increased membership, online training programs, new publications like BCSI 1-03, BCMC and SBC Magazine.
  • Based on this surge in growth, the Board of Directors has approved the following: staff attendance at chapter meetings at least once per quarter and the development of a full-scale research and truss testing program.

BCMC: Riding on 25 Years of Tradition & Innovation

Gang-Nail's Golden Anniversary

  • Inventor Cal Jureit created a prototype of the Gang-Nail metal connector plate fifty years ago.
  • Jureit’s plate had metal teeth, eliminating the need for materials like nails, bolts or glue to be used in wood truss manufacturing.
  • Jureit’s company Gang-Nails, Inc. be-came Automated Building Components, Inc. in 1961, and is now MiTek, Inc.

The Human Investment: Capitalize on Your Greatest Resource

  • Listening to the market through your employees that are closest to it may be your greatest strategic advantage.
  • We are in a new age of marketing our companies and building brand loyalty.
  • Utilizing your employee’s unique perspectives and qualities will make your business unique.

Truss Plate Institute: Today & Tomorrow

  • Online Risk and Liability Management Best Practices for the Structural Compon-ent Manufacturing Industry, or ORisk, is currently in development and scheduled to be release within the next month.
  • Phase 1 of ORisk contains the foundation content necessary to understand more advanced risk management.
  • Any employee who works closely with risk management, claims handling, in-surance, safety and customer contracts should consider viewing Phase 1.

Whole House Design Software Reveals Hidden Value

  • Today’s software has the unique capability of providing knowledge that creates market opportunities.
  • What additional products can you sell that fit your company, your culture, and what are your customer’s needs that you can economically fill?

Winning the Work Force Shortage War

  • There is a shortage of skilled labor in both the manufacturing and construction industries, which in turn has affected component manufacturers.
  • The industry’s labor shortage problem was brought to lawmakers at the 2005 WTCA Legislative Conference in Wash-ington, DC.
  • The Work Force Development (WFD) web site offers component manufacturers one solution by providing a place to search résumés and post job openings.