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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
2006 December
- Some builders may choose to conventionally frame a valley (i.e., over-frame) instead of using valley set truss frames.
- Requirements in the IRC and the ANSI/AF&PA WFCM-2001 indicate it is not acceptable to bear the ends of valley rafters on top of roof sheathing without structural framing below.
- Valley rafters must be adequately connected at their supports to resist lateral and uplift forces caused by gravity and wind loads.
Article
2006 December
- There are opportunities for improvement when we find ourselves a little less busy than usual.
- When using time and motion studies to improve efficiency, the key is to apply the data to all processes.
- A great book on the topic of lean manufacturing is called The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker.
- One way to capitalize on R&D is to challenge your management team and production staff to think outside the box.
Article
2006 December
- Even though a hammer is a basic tool, it can be dangerous if not used properly.
- For heavier hitting, hold the hammer toward the bottom of the handle. For lighter hitting, grip the middle of the handle.
- Keep your wrist straight and use your whole arm to create the force behind hammering.
Article
2006 November
- The industry’s focus on providing good field education has encouraged many manufacturers to send a jobsite package with every order delivered to a jobsite.
- Component manufacturers have provided nearly 400,000 WTCA Jobsite Packages to jobsite installers since the product was created in 2002.
- Two articles in this issue discuss the benefits of hosting plant tours, on the heels of a WTCA Board resolution encouraging hands-on education of the market.
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 November
- In the building components industry, buyers’ key areas of focus are inventory, defective product claims, employees, and compliance with laws applicable to employees, environmental compliance and intellectual property.
- Expect the buyer’s first draft of the purchase agreement to be very buyer oriented.
- When advising the seller, full and early disclosure is encouraged.
- Heavy focus and spending too much time on the indemnification can send the wrong signal to the buyer.
Article
2006 November
- A building boom, steady influx of new building materials, and a shortage of skilled workers to properly install them are factors that have collided.
- Between 1955 and 2005, manufacturing, construction and mining jobs fell 25 percent.
- Nearly one in five construction workers were born outside the U.S. and it’s estimated that immigrants make up over 25 percent of the construction workforce in CA, NV, TX, DC, AZ, NY, FL and NJ.
- The U.S.
Article
2006 November
- Indications that the market is cooling down may temper some people’s enthusiasm, but I see it as an amazing opportunity for our industry.
- During the strong economic growth of the last decade, I believe our industry has forgotten to find new ways to market ourselves.
- To market our industry, the value we provide as manufacturers needs to be understood and effectively communicated to the customer.
- Use WTCA’s work in creating a support system for component manufacturers to convert it into a unique approach to marketing your company to b