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Federal, state and local governments, and the bureaucratic agencies that support them, are continually changing laws and regulations that affect the component manufacturing industry. As the voice of this industry, SBC Magazine helps coordinate “grassroots advocacy” efforts to give company owners and their employees the information and tools they need to positively influence the outcome of governmental actions.
Some examples of those advocacy tools include:
- Industry economic statistics, broken down by state
- Targeted policy talking points
- Federal and State Legislative conferences
- Hosting plant tours for elected officials
SBCA Marketing Chair Jess Lohse considers "innovative framing" and the potential it holds for the future of component manufacturing.
Two years have passed since we covered Integra Steel Truss (“Men of Steel,” August 2012). At that time, they were just starting out, leasing a portion of a warehouse to produce their first big job with a handful of part-time employees. Today, they lease the entirety of that original warehouse, have opened a second facility, grew their workforce to over 20 full-time employees and expanded their workload tenfold.
- Even with its many benefits, innovative framing faces resistance. Prescriptive codes don’t directly promote innovative framing, and markets are slow to adopt for many reasons.
- The earlier in the process CMs can get in front of building designers, the greater their ability to influence the use of innovative framing techniques to design buildable structural framing.
- In order to get innovative framing ideas into the market effectively, you need to have your ducks in a row prior to approaching the building designer.
- It takes a creative approach to using material to meet customer’s needs, while still providing good quality structures.
- Once innovative framing methods are learned, and framers experience the ease of installation, and discover how all the parts of the framing fit together well, they quickly become comfortable with the techniques.
- Framers must be involved in creating industry standard details, because we are the ones most familiar with actual building construction.
- The problem with advanced framing is there’s no mention of modern-day wall panels, raised heel roof trusses, floor trusses or the versatility of connections between the floor, wall and roof systems.
- Our products, and all the tools and materials that make our products possible, are the best way to meet the demand for efficiencies in structural performance, material use, labor and cost.
- As we look to the future, we know we can talk knowledgeably about innovative framing because we have a sure-fire way to back up our approach: the SBC Research Institute (SBCRI).
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SBCA Marketing Chair Jess Lohse ventured to Washington, DC for the first time last month for the SBC Legislative Conference and had a great time learning the ropes on Capitol Hill.
Component manufacturers (CMs) and their suppliers went to Capitol Hill this May to help their Congressional lawmakers understand how the structural component manufacturing industry can be a valuable bellwether for our nation’s economic health. Indeed, the improving economy was evident in the increase over last year’s conference attendance. This year, 59 lawmakers were visited, but more importantly, 19 states were represented by 31 attendees.
- Current and past industry leaders, with the support of SBCA, have invested thousands of hours developing standards, warning documentation, training programs and other tools to help train industry employees.
- As a salesman or general manager, knowing what to look for on contractual documents is critical even with long-time customers.
- ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 2 can provide insight into market expectations, scopes of work, responsibilities and the value of your work.
- In the past 30 years, my commitment to safety has led to lower insurance costs, OSHA inspections without fines and repeat customers.
- Having a safe jobsite did not happen overnight. After working in the framing industry for many years, I’ve learned some methods and practices that work better than others.
- A safer work environment will have far-reaching effects in the industry, beyond just a healthier and safer workforce.
- SBCA is not your typical trade association. At its foundation is a focus on developing, sharing and promoting industry best practices.
- SBCA has refrained from participating in a “pay-to-play,” direct-lobbying approach.
- However, on issues ranging from tax reform to housing finance, there are proposals floated by lawmakers that could put many of us out of business very quickly. We have a duty to warn.
SBCA Marketing Chair Jess Lohse takes a look at this month's issue and finds that it runs an interesting gamut!
A few years ago, Lumber Specialties, a component manufacturer in Dyersville, IA, wanted a way to show proper bracing in a residential home. They asked Jason Gross, an intern in their design department at that time, to build an exact scale model of a roof truss system to accurately show diagonal bracing, lateral restraint, and T-bracing per BCSI.
All three of these experts agreed on the bottom line: pull out and dust off all of your owner’s manuals.
- Couple the IRC requirements with energy code requirements that are pushing more buildings to utilize a higher heel, and it is apparent the connection of high heels to walls is a key application issue.
- The SBC Industry Testing Task Group and the TPI TAC/SBCA E&T Testing Review and Vetting Group has begun to evaluate the needs and priority of testing the performance of assemblies to quantify the effect of heel blocking.
- It is clear from the very specific and isolated heel height testing already performed that there is an opportunity to provide revisions to 2009 and 2012 model code blocking requirements to transfer the lateral load resulting from wind and seismic events into braced wall lines.
- By approaching engineering and testing through the eyes of framers, NFC can make the framing process more reliable and cost effective.
- SBCRI is fully capable of testing any type of full-scale assembly, which can provide framing contractors great insight into the performance of the products they use on a daily basis.
- Testing raw materials, products and structural systems will ensure that framers understand real performance and derive maximum value from the product or engineered solution.
- This year, SBC expanded from 24 to 28 pages, thanks to the commitment of our industry’s suppliers who advertise in the magazine.
- Be sure to check out the weekly email newsletter, SBC Industry News, which offers insight into general industry news and trends involving CMs, suppliers and the economy.
- If you find yourself doing something a bit differently, or you complete a project you’re particularly proud of, let SBC staff know so they can share it with the industry.
As he previewed this month’s issue of SBC Magazine, SBCA Marketing Chair Jess Lohse recognized a trend: communication. Take a sneak peak at his perspective on how the April issue can help you improve communication in your business.
On October 7, 2013, the Truss Manufacturers of Texas (TMAT) hosted a golf tournament at the Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio to raise money for Operation Finally Home and BCMC Build, who constructed a home for Pfc. Cody Nusbaum. This charity event raised $10,000 for the project.