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Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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."
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- "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.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- 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.
Article
2007 March
- 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.
Article
2007 March
- 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.
Article
2007 March
- 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.
Article
2007 March
- 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.
Article
2007 March
- 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.
Article
2007 March
- Stress in the workplace can negatively impact productivity and cause burnout.
- Become familiar with the common symptoms of burnout to address it before it spreads to other employees.
- Burnout can be prevented by varying tasks, keeping a sense of humor and tackling one thing at a time.
Article
2007 March
- Almost without exception, each of these automated devices or improvements have been designed to make the truss or wall building process more convenient, faster, more productive, more accurate, of better quality, and less costly.
- One of the virtues of automated saws is their ability to set themselves up without intervention by the operator.
- Is your insurance provider aware of the improved safety that certain types of automation brings to your plant? If he isn’t, you should be leaning on him to give you a break! It could be significant.
Article
2007 March
- ISUS is an charter high school for troubled teens in Dayton, OH.
- The students learn traditional subjects as well as career skills they can use when they graduate.
- ISUS students are taught how to design and build wall panels, and also participate in on-site construction.
Article
2007 March
- In May 2004, Northeast Panel & Truss was in danger of being placed on OSHA’s Site Specific Targeting (SST) List.
- With the help of Ron Coons, the company pursued SHARP certification to clean up its safety record.
- Coons doesn’t believe there are any drawbacks to participating in SHARP.
- In May 2006, the company achieved SHARP certification and rewarded employees with a picnic.
Article
2007 March
- Carter-Lee Building Components hosted WTCA-IN for a plant tour, showing them that joining forces is in everyone’s best interest.
- Steve Stroder thinks the downturn in 2006 woke some people up to the value of chapter participation.
- The chapter plans to focus on marketing their products and clarifying design responsibilities to building inspectors.
Article
2007 April
- This issue of SBC includes articles about grassroots activities around the industry.
- Features include the education efforts of the Iowa Truss Manufacturers Association and the Mid Atlantic chapter.
- Component manufacturers in Florida are helping an organization called Give Kids The World.
- Find out how the WTCA Board of Directors provides invaluable direction and strategic counsel to the staff of WTCA.
Article
2007 April
- Smart shoppers compare products, quality and pricing in order to make an educated decision on their purchase.
- Smart shoppers know that BCMC is the most efficient place to get answers to all their questions in the same place.
- You will save time and possibly money if you purchase equipment at the show.
Article
2007 April
- Dean DeHoog recently welcomed Con-gressman Pete Hoekstra to tour Trussway’s Grand Rapids facility.
- The visit gave Dean an opportunity to show his lawmaker the importance of immigration reform.
- Thanks to their relationship, Hoekstra accepted an invitation to speak to SBC Legislative Conference attendees in Washington, DC.