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Article
2007 December
- A new online resource for quality control inspectors makes learning the inspection process convenient and more efficient.
- Quality control teams get more out of in-person training sessions when they’ve pre-viewed the training modules.
- Online Inspector Training is included in the cost of In-Plant WTCA QC certification.
Article
2007 December
- Wood, like other structural materials, exhibits an inherent variability in strength properties from piece to piece.
- The design value is obtained by reducing the fifth percentile test result by a property reduction factor.
- The grading of lumber is not an exact science; a reasonable amount of discrepancy is to be expected between individual pieces graded by different graders.
- Cross-cutting stress-graded lumber into pieces shorter than the original piece is a common practice wherever lumber is used in construction.
Article
2007 December
- With the advent of component saws, bow and crook suddenly became an issue.
- There’s only so much the saw manufacturers can do to compensate for crooked lumber.
- We’ve all likely witnessed the snail’s pace of a complicated truss setup on a manually jigged pressing table.
Article
2007 December
- One Idaho manufacturer struggled with analyzing job costs with its existing system.
- Building Components of Idaho now determines the true costs of different jobs; this data ties directly to the general ledger.
- An incentive plan helped the company with accurate labor tracking and contributes to employee reviews.
Article
2007 December
- Being involved with the WTCA Board benefits individual companies just as much as the collective industry.
- Board members say participation helps them keep up with the latest trends and news in the industry.
- Several companies have collaborated with one another to meet orders in an efficient way that makes customers happy.
- In times of need, Board members say the first people they call for help are friends they’ve met at meetings.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- This issue focuses on wall panel manufacturing. Turn to pages 20, 32 and 36 for wall panel-related articles.
- Two industry moguls leave the industry in 2008; check out their stories starting on page 44.
- Find out what’s going on inside SBCRI on page 42.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- WTCA is developing a quality control program for wall panels.
- WTCA Wall Panel QC is being modeled after the quality control panel for roof trusses, In-Plant WTCA QC.
- A group of beta testers is providing feedback as the program is developed.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- Planning ahead for big equipment needs can reduce interest rates.
- Check out Master Lease/Finance Agreements which allow for multiple equipment purchases over a period of time at a lower interest rate.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- A professional business plan is the first step to the long-term success of a wall panel plant.
- The business plan should be a fluid document that is modified often.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- Wall panel manufacturers, equipment and education had a big presence at BCMC 2007.
- Demonstrating the cost savings and increased efficiency of using panels is how one manufacturer sells builders on the product.
- By viewing every aspect of his operation through the eyes of his customers, one manufacturer has discovered the key of wall panel success.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- 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.
Article
2008 Jan/feb
- 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.
Article
2008 March
- Find out what qualities to look for in a good safety leader in Safety Scene.
- Understand your jobsite liability and what to do to minimize it from Kent Pagel on page 28.
- The story of how one manufacturer saved themselves nearly $40,000 in fines and citations by inviting OSHA into its facility.
Article
2008 March
- At association tradeshows, attendees tend to be more attentive and dedicated.
- BCMC is a channel to providing better customer service through connections made at the show.
- Regardless of the state of the housing market, exhibitors will find value in coming to BCMC.
Article
2008 March
- The pressures of a competitive market can result in significant personnel and cultural changes within a company.
- The WTCA PLA was created to help manufacturers with formalized planning and leadership development.
- Take advantage of PLA offerings through seminars, web-based meetings, chapter meetings, and one-on-one professional coaching.
Article
2008 March
- Several years ago, a component manufacturer invented a fence of protection made up of WTCA programs designed to lower its risk.
- A manufacturer’s liability does not end when the product leaves the plant.
- Protecting your company against jobsite risk is possible with the use of the WTCA Jobsite Package.
Article
2008 March
- When it comes to green building standards, not all lumber is created equal.
- In the U.S. there are three main standards that define “green” buildings: USGBC’s LEED, GBI’s Green Globes and NAHB’s Green Home Buliding Guidelines.
- There are a variety of forest certification processes that regulate forest management practices and encourage conservation.
Article
2008 March
- TruLine Truss had a positive experience when they participated in a voluntary state health and safety consultative service.
- The company saved $38,671 in fees and fines by inviting NCDOL inspectors into its plant for inspections.
- Getting involved in voluntary safety inspection programs can help companies avoid costly fines.
Article
2008 March
- OSHA says occupational hearing loss causes a “progressive loss of communication, socialization and responsiveness to the environment.”
- Effective January 1, 2004, OSHA added a “hearing loss” section in the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300).
- If noise exposures tests in your plant exceed an 8-hour TWA of 85dB, administer a Hearing Conservation Program per OSHA regulation.
Article
2008 March
- When laying out a new plant, consider workstation activities, space requirements and production material flow.
- When designing a production line for the first time, think about the advantages and disadvantages of long lines versus short lines.
- A combination of the batch and just-in-time production systems is ideal for new start-ups.
Article
2008 March
- Members are teaching their markets about structural building components with TTWs.
- One WTCA chapter—with WTCA staff—connected with a county building department to add building component training to its curriculum.
- Many options are available for members and chapters that want to educate their markets using TTWs.
Article
2008 April
- The stories on pages 26 and 30 illustrate why SBCRI is vital to the advancement of the industry.
- Decide whether you should go green with the article on page 48.
- Turn to page 54 to get the inside scoop on ITW’s acquisitions and the new president of its Building Components Group.
Article
2008 April
- Many exhibitors choose to reveal new products at BCMC because it is the best place to reach component manufacturers.
- Over three-quarters of BCMC attendees list seeing “new equipment” as the primary reason for attending the show.
- The steady flow of attendees on the show floor gives each product maximum exposure to its target market.