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• 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.

• Several testing stations were built inside of SBCRI since it opened in June 2007. 
• Measuring the flow of loads through individual components and within a building system has been defined as the approach to most SBCRI industry testing. 
• Preliminary industry testing projects have been conducted on roof trusses and wall panels.

• The biggest obstacle in selling panels has always been getting builders framers to recognize the value.
• Different market segments require unique skill sets just like different products do.
• Given the ultra-competitive market, strategic planning is critical for component manufacturers in 2011.

In this issue, we take a look at the Framing the American Dream (FAD) project and the value it has for component manufacturers (CMs). This FAD overview lays the foundation for future articles in which we’ll go into greater depth on specific benchmarking data. A comment from Jack Dermer, president of American Truss, sums it up: “Now that the latest study is completed, the next step is for component manufacturers to look at their own markets and find different ways to talk about the study so it’s applicable to their own unique situations.”

• SBC Magazine is starting the New Year with some fresh ideas and positive change.
• Our theme for 2005 is "Your Industry, Your Magazine, Your Ideas."
• This issue of SBC is our first ever dedicated to wall panel manufacturing.
• As you begin 2005, don’t hesitate to contact an SBC staff member with your comments, questions and article ideas.

• The 11th Annual MSR Lumber Producers Council held a workshop in early June.
• In one session, an industry panel discussed topics on labor, grade stamps, mold, the availability of 2x3 lumber and ANSI/TPI 1’s new repetitive member factor.
• In another session, Francois Robichaud of Forintek East Canada, highlighted the results of a lumber usage survey distributed to component manufacturers.

• WTCA’s new Truss Technology Workshop (TTW) web site, ttw.woodtruss.com, offers a one-stop shop for continuing education (CEU) credits.
• The site is designed to serve as a year-round resource for those in professions who work with roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels and related components. 
• Users who purchase a year-long subscription also receive unlimited access to the site’s online resource library. 
• The site offers component manufacturer members all the materials necessary to present their own live TTWs for free.

• 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.

• 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.

• WTCA’s newest chapter is made up of Canadian manufacturers and their suppliers. 
• While legislation and building code interpretations differ, trusses and wall panels are designed and manufactured similarly in both the U.S. and Canada. 
• Many Canada Chapter members see the benefits of leveraging the programs and work already created by WTCA. 
• The chapter’s first project is creating English/French versions of the BCSI documents, which currently exist in an English/Spanish format.

• Brand your company as "The Solution" for all of your customers’ needs.
• If you offer wall panels, engineered wood products, steel trusses, and turnkey labor, or engineering design services in addition to wood trusses, be sure to market them.
• Work with the design and specifier community to help streamline the front end of the construction process and value-engineer structures.

• Back in the ‘80s, truss technicians had to input the lengths, bearing locations and any concentrated loads on a truss other than a standard truss.
• Today’s truss design software helps streamline truss technicians’ work, but fundamental design, engineering and building code concepts are still important.
• Design technology gives us the capability to take designs to the next level and spec in a wide range of products from wall panels to steel trusses.
• The time has come to embrace all structural building component materials.