Component Connection Podcast

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This podcast focuses on everything from production and marketing best practices to risk management and leadership tips.

We are interviewing fellow component manufacturers and industry experts and teasing out valuable nuggets you can use to improve your company.

You can listen to the podcast at your desk, in your car, while eating lunch, even while you’re falling asleep at night.  Whenever you choose to listen, you can absorb this valuable information when it’s convenient for you!  It's Off-site. On-air.

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Lumber Connection

SBCA's Lumber Connection podcast focuses on the latest trends in North American lumber markets. Each week, experts in the lumber industry will provide insight into the latest trends and provide timely commentary on the many factors impacting the supply and demand of the lumber used in structural components. 

Listen In


Date: September 4, 2019

BJ Louws, president of Louws Truss in Ferndale, Washington, discusses the family business and how structural components became part of their operations. He also digs into lean concepts and how they have proved a cost-effective way to be more competitive and innovative.


Date: August 21, 2019

Kirk Grundahl, SBCA executive director, and Evan Protexter, SBCA engineer, discuss the benefits of quality control (QC) in the component manufacturing industry and how it has evolved over the years. Kirk has been involved in QC for metal-plate connected wood trusses since the early 1980's in setting up an industry-specific Third-Party Inspection program. Evan has been heavily involved in the QC process over the past year and is focused on testing and research to advance QC practices within the industry.


Date: August 7, 2019

SBCA president Greg Griggs, Builders FirstSource, and SBCA board member Larry Dix, Apex Truss, discuss the value they receive from face-to-face meetings. Both Greg and Larry share similar thoughts on how important relationship building and networking has been for their companies and their careers.


Date: July 17, 2019

Sean Shields interviews Jason Blenker on transitioning the general contracting family business into Blenker Companies which operates five independently run businesses. This podcast is part of a series looking at how component manufacturers across the country are innovating to take advantage of opportunities in today's market. Blenker Building Systems is located in Amherst, WI and delivers components throughout the Midwest from South Dakota to Michigan.


Date: July 3, 2019

Sean Shields and Greg Griggs explore the latest efforts of SBCA to help component manufacturers grow market share and take advantage of opportunities in today's market. Greg has been in the industry for 35 years and is the senior vice president of manufacturing for Builder's FirstSource. He is the current SBCA president and has been chair of the marketing committee the past four years.


Date: June 19, 2019

Sean Shields interviews Dean Rana on growing his business and overcoming challenges facing his market and the industry. This podcast is part of a series looking at how component manufacturers across the country are innovating to take advantage of opportunities in today's market. Truss Fab is a single facility out of Glendale, AZ and the largest component manufacturer in Arizona with sales territory extending throughout Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern California.