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Article
2006 November
- Glaize Components was approached by a regional building officials group to clarify temporary and permanent bracing issues.
- Scott Garber prepared for the presentation by reviewing BCSI and related B documents, which they also distributed to the group for reference.
- Mike Dellinger, Region III Vice President of the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association commented that the presentation was very helpful.
Article
2006 November
- Take the opportunity to explore a few new markets that have looked like they are available to exploit.
- Look for closely aligned businesses that would generate increased sales and might be a natural addition to your product mix.
- The planning and branding you set in place today will have a significant impact on your business in the future.
Article
2006 November
- The new version of BCSI is a 104-page full size book produced jointly by TPI and WTCA.
- IBC and IRC excerpts in B1 emphasize the use of a complete, accurate and approved set of Construction Documents.
- The Building Designer is responsible for the Permanent Building Stability Brac-ing (PBSB) for the building system. The PBSB includes all of the structural building components that make up the structural framework.
Article
2006 November
- SCORE is a new marketing program for WTCA component manufacturer members.
- To earn a SCORE certification, manufacturers must participate in programs like Operation Safety, In-Plant WTCA QC and Truss Technician Training.
Article
2006 November
- To address the challenge of finding skilled truss technicians, Chambers Truss has partnered with a local high school.
- Each semester, Coach Cash's drafting classes learn basic truss design and build a 3D home model.
- Since it began, the program has yielded many truss technicians for south Florida component manufacturers.
Article
2006 November
- WTCA-IL hosted a truss plant tour for the fire service personnel of MABAS division 10 at Neumann Distribution Centers in northern Illinois.
- Planning the flow, timeline, and coordination of a truss plant tour prior to group arrival is critical to its success.
- The tour also included a Carbeck presentation where many concerns and questions were addressed.
- WTCA-IL and MABAS 10 have laid the groundwork for a mutually beneficial relationship.
Article
2006 November
- The concept of adding value is becoming increasingly more important to component manufacturers.
- One way component manufacturers can increase their value proposition is by offering whole house services to their customers.
- Certain software packages and manufacturing equipment can help manufacturers deliver these services while increasing profitability.
Article
2006 November
- Use down time to reconfigure your plant to make the production process more efficient.
- Look hard at how you can have most of the benefits of full automation without spending the money to get it.
- A down cycle is a good time—really the best time—to install new equipment.
- It’s possible for plants to come out of a down cycle literally twice the company that they were before.
Article
2006 December
- This issue of SBC focuses on quality control and manufacturing. It also houses the BCMC 2006 Recap.
- Recent changes to the industry’s quality control standard are explained in this issue.
- The current state and future growth of the industry is summarized in “Economists Forecast End of Housing Correction.”
Article
2006 December
- The Board passed a motion to approve a new policy on “Dealing with the Press.”
- An update on WTCA’s work with NLBMDA was provided.
- The Board unanimously voted to approve the updated edition of BCSI.
- The next OQM is scheduled for February 21-23 in Jacksonville, FL.
Article
2006 December
- The 2006 IRC changes that apply to roof framing or roof trusses include: R301.5 attic loading; R802.10.2.1 snow loading; R802.10.3/R502.11.2 reference to BCSI; R802.3.1 rafter/ceiling joist connections; and R806.4 conditioned attic spaces.
- The 2006 IRC changes that apply to wall panels include: R302, R309 exterior wall; R317 unit separation; R502.2.1 load path through floor at braced wall lines; R602.3.2 wall plate splices; R602.10 braced wall lines; and R703 exterior wall covering and fasteners.
Article
2006 December
- Atlas Components invited Congressman Manzullo to its plant for a tour.
- A new WTCA Board resolution recommends that each chapter designate a Local Relationship-Building Chair and host two plant tours each year.
- WTCA staff is developing a detailed database of the professional organizations in their chapter marketplace.
Article
2006 December
- Chapter 3 in ANSI/TPI 1 is the section that defines the industry’s manufacturing quality control standards.
- Throughout 2006, a Project Committee has revised Chapter 3 to include feedback from component manufacturers.
- One significant change involves combining two previous inspection methods into one for increased efficiency.
Article
2006 December
- Your goal in reading this, I’m assuming, is to figure out the best kind of equipment to have in your cutting operation…the equipment that will produce the most accurately cut components at the lowest possible cost.
- The labor cost per part is all-important and can be the deciding factor in your automated saw decision.
- I’d ask every automated saw manufacturer I was considering to look at my cutting operation and recommend which type of saw would provide the quickest return on investment for my operation.
Article
2006 December
- A combination of high home prices, excess inventory and the tightening of monetary policy and has led to a steady decline in U.S. housing starts.
- The outlook for single family construction should improve by Q3 of 2007, but depends largely on the sale of existing home inventory.
- Because home affordability has de-creased in the last several years, the rental component of multi-family construction looks to be strong in the first half of 2007.
- The analysts’ consensus forecasts total U.S. housing starts at just over 1.6 million for 2007.
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.