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Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- This issue of SBC Magazine focuses on wall panel manufacturing.
- Two component manufacturers are featured in this issue: Blenker Building Sys-tems and Clearspan Components.
- Additional feature articles spotlight whole house design concepts as they relate to the building components industry.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- The first phase of a new study conducted by U. S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory and North Carolina State University revealed that wall panel manufacturers employ a higher degree of manufacturing technology than do modular home manufacturers.
- Phase 2 of the study will include time studies of wall panel manufacturing facilities.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- The October OQM included the introduction of new representatives to the board and the 2006 committee chairs. Board members who had fulfilled their terms were also recognized.
- Passed motions included a policy with regard to WTCA staff attendance at Code/ Fire Service meetings and updated language in the Non-operating Funds Invest-ment Policy.
- The next OQM is schedule for March 1-3 in San Antonio, TX.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- As component manufacturers’ scope of work changes to meet varying customer demands, should the association’s name also evolve to reflect that change?
- Some component manufacturers believe that in order to represent the varying interests of the membership, the name of the association should change accordingly.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- Blenker’s business is built on ingenuity, quality and customer service.
- A unique internal cross-training approach fosters self-respect and teamwork.
- Offering a one-stop shop means providing a complete service for their builder customers.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- The founders of our industry are probably asking, “Where’s my truss industry?”
- We must continue to sell value in order to keep this industry strong.
- One of the only possible negatives to selling more engineering and integrated services is if component manufacturers begin to dilute the value of components by not “up-selling” the value provided.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- Optimum value engineering (OVE) has applications in the component design phase and on the jobsite.
- Using OVE techniques in the field can re-duce framing expenses by as much as $1,000 per 2,400 square foot home, ac-cording to a study done by the Partnership for Advanced Technologies in Housing.
- Component manufacturers can use design software to optimize component design.
Article
2006 March
- Exhibiting at the BCMC show is a great opportunity to get to know potential new customers.
- Engineered wood products become increasingly prevalent at BCMC in the last several years.
- When a new product is unveiled at the show, Jim Gilleran says it drives atten-dee feedback, which in turn facilitates product improvement.
Article
2006 March
- 45 states plus Washington, DC use the International Residential Code.
- A few changes to the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) will impact manufacturers.
- The first eighteen month code change cycle for the 2009 edition begins with the March 24, 2006 submission deadline.
Article
2006 March
- Price increases for building materials have been very similar to increases in house prices in the last several years.
- Mortgage rates are more important than wood prices in determining the cost of a home.
- With the rapid rise in home prices during the past five years, it appears that most component manufacturers are sharing in the housing boom.
Article
2006 March
- This issue of SBC Magazine is devoted to topics relating to personnel and safety.
- The cover story reveals what Casmin Inc., a Florida component manufacturer, did to make a major league turnaround in the company’s safety record.
- One feature article explores the "why" of the industry’s current shortage of skilled labor, for both truss plants and design departments.
Article
2006 March
- This is the first article in a year-long series by Jerry Koskovich on automation.
- It takes many, many years to perfect a machine, according to Koskovich.
- As the industry progresses in automation, some suppliers may have to change in order to properly accommodate our needs.
Article
2006 March
- WTCA member Casmin, Inc. overhauled its safety program in the nick of time.
- Casmin conducted a series of ergonomic assessments to help revise job descriptions and reduce task-related injuries.
- Small changes made a big difference: a switch to composite strapping material, custom-cut anti-fatigue mats and employee-selected personal protective equipment.
Article
2006 March
- When employees are injured and cannot continue to do their normal jobs, they are either sent home or placed on “light duty.”
- It is important for light duty jobs to comply with physicians’ recommendations.
- The key to successful recovery is to de-velop a program that makes employees feel valuable even if they are injured.
Article
2006 March
- Bob Ward feels we have become a much more technically diverse industry and, as a result, our companies have become more specialized.
- The next advances in technology will further reduce labor and help us manage our businesses better, in John Herring’s opinion.
- Lee Vulgaris said there’s a lack of field labor and construction expertise, so engineered components are here to stay.
Article
2006 March
- Growth during a period of declining supply of workers in the manufacturing and homebuilding sectors has propelled the work force shortage.
- Younger generations do not see that manufacturing or construction jobs are capable of fulfilling their career goals.
- Our industry has many foreign-born citizens, and regardless of their country of origin, they seem to excel at building component manufacturing jobs.
Article
2006 April
- Viking noted that in 2005, 66 percent of its wall panel system customers and 75 percent of its revenue could be directly tied to exhibiting at BCMC or advertising in SBC Magazine.
- Exhibitors can use the show to learn customer needs, improve their marketing plans, and fine-tune their products.
Article
2006 April
- To comply with the provisions of the model code, a method or material must meet the requirements of the referenced standard
- A Project Committee has been formed to evaluate the 2002 edition of ANSI/TPI 1.
- WTCA is planning to propose changes to the I-Codes for the 2007 code cycle that will move in the direction of having the metal plate connected wood truss requirements currently included in the IBC and IRC also placed into TPI 1 so that both are consistent and ultimately most of the information about truss design and construction will be in TPI 1.
Article
2006 April
- This issue of SBC Magazine focuses on grassroots activities within the industry and also houses the annual membership listing.
- The cover story features Boozer Lumber, a South Carolina component manufacturer with a new perspective on sustainability.
- Another feature honors the life of Robert Mort, Sr.
- The concept of "shear-out" is explained in this issue’s technical feature article.
Article
2006 April
- Hiring and training locally, also referred to as the "homegrown" method, has the greatest potential for meeting the industry’s need for technicians.
- Many potential technicians can be found in the local technical college, and some may start in the shop and work their way up.
- Component manufacturers have been successful with employing homegrown technicians; one reason is they come up through the ranks, and the pay is competitive with the typical salaries for these jobs in the industry.
Article
2006 April
- V.2 includes updated references to the IBC & IRC 2003 codes and ASCE7-02.
- A new delivery method simplifies navigation and course material downloads.
- A new feature provides all content in text format for hearing impaired users.