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Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- BCMC 2005 was another record breaking show.
- Doug Folker of Robbins Engineering is the 2006 BCMC Committee chair.
- The 2006 show will head to Fort Worth, TX on October 4 - 6.
- The show’s theme will be Bigger and Better in Texas.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- In today’s market, wall design is generally performed using code prescribed tables and provisions.
- When a building of conventional construction contains structural elements exceeding the prescriptive code, these elements shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.
Article
2006 Jan/Feb
- Paul D. Lenauer
- Norman L. Garlock
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.