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BCMC 2006 Recap

Publisher's Message: Another Look at Wall Panels

  • Look forward to improving economic conditions for the construction industry in 2007. 
  • Don’t miss wall panel manufacturing articles on pages 38 and 48. 
  • A new column, Build Strong Relation-ships, spotlights manufacturers forging new relationships with various professionals in the marketplace. 
  • WTCA-NY put together a productive day-long event to build relationships and provide education.

BCMC 2007: Market Research: Another Benefit of BCMC

  • Market research is systematic problem analysis, model-building and fact-finding for the purpose of improved decision-making and control in the marketing of goods and services. 
  • You can increase your chances of finding jewels of information at BCMC by using a systematic approach to ask all your staff members to share their findings when you regroup after the show. 
  • According to one Loyal Attendee, "it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the business, you can always learn something and pick up something new at BCMC."

Build Strong Relationships: Getting the Worm

  • "Freshmen" lawmakers are excellent individuals to reach out to because they are just now starting to develop a relationship with their constituency. 
  • There are a number of new committee Chairs to begin building relationships with now that the Democratic party controls both chambers of Congress. 
  • The winter months are a good time to devote time to giving plant tours. Call your new member of Congress and invite them on a tour of your facility.

The Big Picture: ICC Code Development Process

  • WTCA no longer relies on outside organizations to monitor code changes that affect component manufacturers and their suppliers. 
  • Since 2004, WTCA has occupied a spot on the IBC’s Structural Committee. This group reviews and votes on several hundred code change proposals in each 18-month cycle. 
  • By participating in the IBC structural committee, WTCA has developed favorable relationships with members of the forest products industry, the steel industry, homebuilders, structural engineer groups and building code officials.

WTCA Update: Major Changes in 2006

  • WTCA evolved into WTCA - Representing the Structural Building Components Industry in 2006. 
  • WTCA’s new website address is www.sbcindustry.com. 
  • The Cold Formed Steel Council was formed in 2006 to support the technical and marketing needs of cold formed steel manufacturers.

Builder Banter

Success Is What You Make It

In Memoriam

Parting Shots

Follow-up on R-Squared: "We're Preparing for Growth"

  • R-Squared, a framing company, started a small wall panel shop in 2001 to increase efficiency on the jobsite. 
  • After several years of gradual growth, the company is preparing for more dramatic growth in the next few years. 
  • The Roods have been successful by learning about smart marketing, launching their own version of turnkey framing services, and focusing on personnel development.

A Hybrid Approach to Wall Panel Manufacturing

  • A hybrid wall panel manufacturing system coordinates machinery options with expandable production software platform. 
  • The initial capital investment for wall panel manufacturing equipment is closely tied to your return on investment. 
  • The software package available through the hybrid approach offers expandability and works well with automated and manual equipment systems.

One Tour at a Time: Fire Demonstration & Plant Tour Show Off Truss Industry for NY Building Officials Conference

  • Truss plant tours have worked in the industry’s educational favor. 
  • The WTCA-NY made a significant educational impression in the New York State Building Officials Conference’s (NYSBOC) perception in October 2006. 
  • The tour shed a lot of light on the truss industry for building code officials and fire service members.

Publisher's Message: Death, Taxes & Difficult People

  • A big part of personnel management is learning how to deal with all different personalities—even the difficult ones. 
  • Find out how Northeast Panel & Truss teamed up with OSHA to improve their safety record. 
  • Learn about automated saws that are designed with your safety in mind. 
  • Read about a charter high school in Ohio that rehabilitates troubled teens by teaching them how to design and build components.

Technical Q&A - Fallen Trusses

  • Contractors should install and brace trusses according to the Building Component Safety Information (BCSI) booklet. 
  • History has proven that truss instability and the variety of potential consequences due to this is typically the direct result of improper handling, installing, restraining and bracing of trusses. 
  • Most collapses will require a separate assessment by a professional engineer to determine the correct course of action.

BCMC 2007: Destination BCMC: Plan Team Meetings to Achieve Maximum Value

  • There is so much knowledge to absorb at BCMC that it can be a challenge to retain it all. 
  • BCMC is the ideal venue to regroup with your team, discuss future goals, and share new ideas learned during the show. 
  • Information learned at BCMC is most valuable when you are able to bring it back to your operation for immediate use. 
  • BCMC is a good environment for meetings because it is free of office distractions.

Build Strong Relationships: Two: Not a Lonely Number

  • The collaboration of FBMA and WTCA creates greater influence when advocating for legislative solutions. 
  • The associations’ scopes of work have been clearly defined as to not duplicate efforts. 
  • The relationship allows each organization to provide more value to their members without additional investment.

The Big Picture: The Best Economic Solution Requires Diversification

  • The best economic solution is achieved when builders focus on developing land and component manufacturers design buildings, supply material and provide installation labor. 
  • In order for this model to thrive in the marketplace, CMs and builders must work together and share the same vision. 
  • CMs may want to consider providing concrete, framing materials, building design services and framing labor to their traditional product offerings.