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Article
2008 April
- Some former component manufacturers that have joined WTCA staff now see that there are many more programs and services available than they realized.
- The engineering, technical and code assistance offered by staff for WTCA members are among the most valuable and time-saving for CMs.
Article
2008 April
- Single element component testing does not accurately portray the way components resist forces and transfer loads.
- SBCRI was built to test and analyze the flow of loads through an entire structure, not just through a single component.
Article
2008 April
- The vast resources of SBCRI have the ability to give us more answers than ever before about the nature of structural performance.
- In one case, SBCRI helped provide a timely and cost-effective solution to a structural problem that benefited everyone.
- In this situation, the analysis done at SBCRI allowed the building to remain open to the public while a structurally sound solution was executed.
Article
2008 April
- Appraising the performance of new hires is helpful in determining whether that person is a good fit for your operation.
- Your hiring process should balance securing the right amount of labor and finding the right worker for a particular job.
Article
2008 April
- There are two major green standards for commercial building, and two for residential construction are in the works.
- Before you can decide whether green is good for you, it’s important to understand the standards and the system.
- To become authorized to handle certified lumber, evaluate proper identification of certified material, segregation of certified material, processing of certified material and thorough record keeping.
Article
2008 April
- ITW formed its Building Components Group (BCG) following the 2006 acquisitions of Truswal and Alpine.
- Jim James heads the BCG, and brings a fresh perspective to the company.
- ITW believes the building components industry is poised to streamline parts of the construction process.
Article
2008 May
- This issue of SBC highlights Design & Engineering.
- The cover story on page 22 features cold-formed steel components, which contributed to LEED certification.
- Find out what you should know about the new ANSI/TPI standard on page 28.
- Automation veteran Jerry Koskovich is honored on page 34.
Article
2008 May
- Component manufacturers have the potential to have a big impact on BCMC’s success this year.
- Some exhibitors view the show floor as a huge networking roundtable.
- BCMC is a win-win situation for attendees and exhibitors.
Article
2008 May
- Shelter Systems Limited believes that SCORE certification is one way to protect the company.
- The company embraced the requirements of SCORE, even when it came to implementing WTCA programs that they wouldn’t have voluntarily chosen to use.
- Operation Safety and ORisk are programs that delivered surprising benefits to Shelter.
Article
2008 May
- Becoming certified under a green building standard is a growing national trend for public schools and other government buildings.
- Under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED, using CFS trusses can earn one or two points for a project under credits 4.1 and 4.2.
- Verifying that CFS supplied for a job qualifies for LEED points is not tedious for CMs.
Article
2008 May
- TPI 1-2007 will be referenced in the 2009 International Building Code and International Residential Code.
- The TPI 1 Project Committee consisted of about 50 individuals representing the industry.
- The changes that have been made to TPI 1 will make for a more user-friendly document.
- The mandatory net section lumber limit on tension introduced into a wood member was replaced by a non-mandatory user note recommending a limit of 2300 pounds/inch.
Article
2008 May
- Jerry Koskovich, an inventor of automated solutions for truss plants, retired from the industry this year.
- Koskovich’s first automated component saw was installed at Villaume Industries in 1985.
- Koskovich is grateful to many people in the industry and will continue to consult for The Koskovich Company.
Article
2008 May
- TTW online presentations offer affordability and convenience for professionals in the building community.
- Architect Mike Koehl found the TTW on fire assemblies very useful.
- Engineer Tom Jank said his bracing questions for a project he was working on were answered by the online TTWs he viewed.
- Professionals can view TTWs at no charge; quizzes for CEU credit cost $25 per presentation.
Article
2008 May
- Quality assurance is process oriented while quality control is product oriented.
- Essentially, QA/QC is a proactive effort to protect and sustain your company name, your company products, and your company profit margins. Think of a QA/QC program as a firewall against defects.
- You can begin by establishing “Perfor-mance Criteria” required by each department to complete a given task.
Article
2008 June/July
- When you compare the value and the cost of attending BCMC, you find that there many reasons to make the trip.
- WTCA component manufacturer members pay $175 for their first full registration and $140 for each additional.
- With a wide variety of characters in the industry, BCMC is entertaining!
Article
2008 June/July
- True House views SCORE certification as an opportunity for continuing education.
- The company has reached the Achiever level and continues to pursue Elite.
- By taking part in the programs that make up SCORE, there have been culture changes and fewer back charges.
Article
2008 June/July
- Carbon dioxide emissions are believed to be a major contributing factor to global warming.
- Congressional proposals to limit carbon dioxide emissions of businesses are called “cap and trade” energy bills.
- Cap and trade policies would increase energy costs for companies and possibly even residences.
- United States’ businesses would be at a competitive disadvantage to nations not operating under CO2 regulations if cap and trade legislation is passed by Congress.
Article
2008 June/July
- Deltec Homes, Inc. has a strong commitment to delivering a quality energy efficient home to its customers while lessening its environmental impact.
- With almost 300 photovoltaic solar panels its roof, Deltec produces 66,000 kW-hr each year.
- The company replaced all light fixtures with energy efficient fluorescent lighting to cut down on energy costs.
- CEO David Hall said focusing on environmental stewardship has met customers’ needs and made the company more profitable.
Article
2008 June/July
- When doing a material take-off for wall panels, identify the different wall types for each level.
- Wall panel manufacturers should have a pricing method that accounts for direct labor costs and plant overhead costs before adding a material markup and profit margin.
Article
2008 August
- BCMC allows you to keep up to date on industry happenings while strategically planning for your business.
- Discussing the state of the industry with peers at BCMC helps you gain perspective on how to endure the market.
- Attend a new CM roundtable on Tuesday called “Planning, Evaluating and Adjusting—Your Business Lifeline.”
Article
2008 August
- Safe delivery and off-loading practices are an important part of material handling.
- Safety Zone products from WTCA are designed for delivery drivers to use as safety and risk management tools on the jobsite.
- The Safety Zone Delivery & Off-load Inspection Reports help drivers to document critical information about component delivery.
Article
2008 August
- The Wisconsin Truss Manufacturers Association (WTCA’s Wisconsin Chap-ter) presented two live TTWs to a local homebuilders association.
- The attendees earned CEUs for attending the day-long presentation.
- Chapter President Steve Johnson said that in addition to the information presented, the event highlighted the benefits of being a WTMA member.
- WTMA members held a meeting the following week at WTCA and toured the new SBCRI facility.
Article
2008 August
- You can use a few simple talking points to explain the inherent “green” qualities of building components.
- The wood you purchase comes from one of the Earth’s most renewable resources—trees.
- Steel is the most recyclable material that exists; this includes everything from nails to connectors to cold-formed steel trusses to connector plates.
Article
2008 August
- One way to boost your bottom line and satisfy customer demand is selling non-stocked items.
- Special orders generally turn faster and carry higher margins than regular sales.
- An ERP system can help manage special orders and maximize profit.