August 2024 Component Manufacturing Advertiser Magazine by Component Manufacturing Advertiser

The

A dverti $ er Component manufaCturing

Serving the Structural Building componentS induStry S

New ways to equip you for success.

The business of construction has never been more challenging. That’s why Simpson Strong-Tie keeps working to develop new solutions. Focused on customers, we’re constantly exploring innovative ways to support component manufacturers. Our truss connectors have become the industry standard. Our design and management software streamlines operations. And now, with advanced, automated cutting equipment, we’re bringing even more powerful tools to sharpen your edge. From ultra-precise component machines by Hundegger to brilliantly simple cutting and marking technology with EasyFrame, we’re fully equipped to keep you moving ahead. Build your business with all the right components. To learn more, visit go.strongtie.com/componentsolutions or call (800 ) 999-5099.

A dverti $ er Component manufaCturing

Anna Stamm – Advertiser Forum: Correlation, Causation, or Coincidence

Joe Kannapell: Wall Panel Technology, Part V: Whole House Evolution

Wendy Boyd – Spida Machinery: Spida’s Jacksonville Open House

Todd Drummond Consulting, LLC: Retaining Profits Amid Margin Compression

Glenn Traylor: What Can We Learn From the Recent CrowdStrike Debacle?

Edmond Lim, P.Eng. –LimTek Solutions: Doing Your BCMC Homework

Alpine Staff: BCMC 2024 is Around the Corner

Carl Villella – Acceptance Leasing: Playing the Interest Rate Game

Lesko Financial Services: Economy Still Signaling Growth at Mid-Year But Not Among All Sectors

Thomas McAnally – The JobLine: What Time is It?

Geordie Secord – Design Connections: Making the Most of Mass Timber

Tuomo Poutanen – G-Joist: Glued Trussed Floor Joists

Buddy Showalter, PE & Sandra Hyde, PE – ICC: 2024 IBC Significant Structural Changes — Loads

MiTek Staff: New to the IRC 2024 Sec. R502.11

Simpson Strong-Tie Staff: Mass Timber for the Masses — How Simpson Strong-Tie Innovation Is Enabling More Efficient Construction

Joe Kannapell – The Last Word The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Big Truss Plants

West

Publisher Thomas McAnally twm@componentadvertiser.org

Editor Anna L. Stamm 800-289-5627 x 3 anna@componentadvertiser.org

Distributed FREE Via e-mail subscription Download PDF or Read on line at www.componentadvertiser.com

News of Interest and Advertising inquiries can be submitted to: anna@componentadvertiser.org An Open Forum for many sources.

Deadline 20th of each month. Articles, Trade Names, and Logos are the property of their respective owner or creator unless otherwise noted

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or material that we deem not in the interest of the industry or the Advertiser. Permission to use content is the responsibility of the contributor including permissions to use any likeness of persons.

The Advertiser is provided “As Is” including typographical errors, omissions, and mistakes both intentional and unintentional.

Component Manufacturing Advertiser

The Advertiser 7586 Becks Grove Road Freetown, Indiana 47235 no reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the component manufacturing advertiser

Archive Copies Available On Line www.componentadvertiser.com

Anna L. Stamm Director of Communications and Marketing Component Manufacturing Advertiser.

DAdvertiser F Forum

Correlation, Causation, or Coincidence

etermining a genuine cause and effect relationship can be tricker than it seems. Some situations are obvious, but others may be only coincidental. How do we know for certain?

When Causation is Obvious

Thankfully, some cause and effect relationships are easy to prove. You fall down and break a bone – that’s a very clear outcome. It may not be a good outcome, but at least you know where you stand and that an impact caused the break.

When Correlation Comes Into Play

Taking the simple example of falling down, we can do a little more investigating. Do you have weaker bones than you should? Are you not getting enough calcium in your diet? As a person who still drinks milk at lunch and dinner (yes, we drink milk in my home), when I tripped off a curb and broke my foot a few years ago, I knew calcium was not my problem, but it might be an issue for other people. There may be underlying causes that are contributing factors, and we may or may not be fully aware of them.

When Coincidence Feels Like Correlation

For whatever reason, I can never keep the doorbell working. Honestly, in both Wisconsin and Oklahoma, I have tried replacing the doorbell myself and even hired experts, but the doorbell never stays working for very long. No one ever can ever give me a good reason why they stop working, and I have given up trying to fix the problem. Is there something about my electromagnetic field that disables doorbells? I doubt it, but the common denominator is my presence and the coincidence is strange nonetheless.

Cause and effect can be direct or obscure. Correlation can be striking but irrelevant. When we’re not certain, we may have to keep looking for proof before passing judgement on coincidences.

In my house, when opportunity comes knocking, I only know for certain that it can’t ring the bell!

Monet DeSauw FWA 500 Floor Web Cutter

• Push Button Powered Blade Angulations

• Single Push Button Setting for 2 Blades per Side

• Electronic Digital Readouts

• Backup Mechanical Indicators

• Cuts 4 Angle Webs, Cantilever Webs (2 piece webs) & Square Blocks

• Magazine Lumber Feed for 3x2, 4x2 and 6x2 Lumber 12 1/2” to 48 1/2” Length Capacity (7” Minimum on Square Blocks)

• 60 Pieces per Minute

• (4) Internal 16” Blades & (1) External 16” Cut-Off Blade

• Pneumatic Blade Brake on External Blade

• Dust Hoods

• Belt Waste Conveyor (under saw)

• Add $4,300 for 12’ Incline Waste Conveyor (adjacent to saw)

• Add $2,100 for Extra Set of Blades

• 480 Volt / 3 Phase

FOBMO Call For Pricing

Linear Saw

• Automated (Truss Design Software Download) or SemiAutomated (Touch Screen Entry) Operation

• All Movements are Computer & PLC Controlled

• Comprehensive Setup Screens Display Each Piece with Setup Data

• 22” x 40 Tooth Blade on PAE Cut 1 or 2 Boards up to 20’ (2 Second Plunge Cut)

• Cut Chords, Webs, Rafters, Wedges & Stair Stringers

• Cut Long Scarfs by MultiPlunging

• Servo Positioning on Infeed, Angle & Outfeed Pusher

• Over Travel Protection

• Ink Jet Printer

• Lumber Optimization Program

• Belt Waste Conveyor

• 480 Volt / 3 Phase / 60 Amp

• Includes 5 Day Onsite Installation & Training

• Optional Monet DeSauw Live Deck, Bunk Feeder & Incline Belt Waste Conveyor FOB MO Call For Pricing

DeSawyer

2000 Automated Saw

• Touch Screen User Interface with Backup Mechanical Controls

• 3 Operating Modes: Auto, SemiAuto & Manual

• All 20 Axes of Movements are Computer & PLC Controlled

• Comprehensive Setup Screens Display Each Piece with Setup Data

• Anti-Collision & Optimizing Programming

• Auto Calibration Productivity & Time Tracking

• Maintenance Diagnostics

• Variable Speed Conveyor (0-50 Flights per Minute)with Powered Hold Downs

• (1) 30” x 80 Tooth Blade (27 3/4” Scarf on PAE)

• (4) 16” x 40 Tooth Blades (13 1/2” Scarf on Centerline)

• Pneumatic Blade Brakes on all 5 Blades

• 16 1/2” to 20’ Length Capacity (11” Minimum on Square End Blocks)

• Vibrating Waste Conveyor Under Saw

• 480 Volt / 3 Phase

• Includes 4 Day Onsite Installation & Training

• Add $2,900 for Extra Set of Blades

• Optional Live Deck, Label Printer, Ink Jet Printer, Catcher Display & Incline Belt Waste Conveyor.

Call For Pricing FOB MO

Buy Factory Direct From Wasserman & Associates at the same price as the Manufacturer, and get the added support and care you need to be up and running FAST! WE’LL EVEN HELP SELL YOUR USED EQUIPMENT TOO!

Monet DeSauw DeRobo

Monet DeSauw

EZ-SET AUTO JIGGING EXCLUSIVE & PATENTED DESIGN

Automatic Truss Jigging System to drastically reduce setup times. Allows for 100% embedment on the table, with top & bottom chord pucks in the same slot. TopSider or standard configurations available for conventional kick-leg, walk-thru, or our new trackless 8' and 10' continuous table systems. Systems for other roller & hydraulic gantries are coming soon. Available in new machine installations or for retro-fitting your existing table. The TopSider is exclusively applicable for “kick or flip leg” style truss presses such as the Tri-Axis & Lumbermater®

FEATURES / APPLICATIONS

• Capable of 100% On-Table Nail Plate Embedment

• Two Pucks Per Slot

• 24", 26", and/or 30" Spacing

• Compatible with all current major design software

• Multiple Simultaneous Layouts

Hain Systems Framer

The Hain Systems Framer (HSF) will help you build square and accurate wall panels for residential or commercial construction applications. It will help you cut building costs by saving time and improving your quality. It’s a reliable, efficient and proven system that features a ruggedly simple design. The HSF is based on a proven design with over 20 years of actual production use and maintenance experience. It comes fully assembled and is designed for portable job site framing or in-plant permanent installation. The table has many optional attachments and will support Mylar Tape wall layout or any other type of layout. The optional gun rails can also be retro-fit to any table.

Details:

Table Construction: Thick-wall Structural Steel Tubing, Jig Welded for Accuracy

Length: 5 feet (60”) to 60 feet (720”)

Height: 12 inches

Air Supply: 90 psi (10 CFM Air Flow Recommended)

Depth: 12 inches

Electrical Supply: 120 VAC

Powder Coat: Industrial Gray

Dimensions: Height: 43”

Length: 16’ or 20’

Width: Adjustable 8’ to 10’ or 8’ to 12’

Shipping Weight: 3000 lbs

If you are looking for the fastest, most consistent way to measure and cut your product, then the Hain Measuring System (MEA) is your answer. The MEA changes from one length t any length instantly, up to 60’, without changing the operator’s position on the line. It is also highly accurate (+/- .010) and quickly moves from one length to the next in seconds. The MEA is designed for quick and easy setup and is simple to use. Even a first time user will be productive with little or no training required. It can adapt to any saw and can be mounted to any surface so that you can integrate the MEA with your existing setup. The MEA is versatile allowing “left” or “right” handed operation and measurement in “feet and inches” or “inches” depending on your preference. The MEA is also available in a “Skid Mounted” version.

By Joe Kannapell

Wall Panel Technology, Part V: Whole House Evolution

The dream of having a single person model an entire structure was admirable, but developing the software to do that turned into a decade-long struggle. Five years ago, I chronicled the development saga in my series on Fifty Years of Truss Design, Parts XI – XV As the story told, the result was workable software, but let’s consider some additional elements in the story not mentioned there. Did these advancements increase productivity in the design effort? Or, more importantly, did they increase sales of components? With the adoption of trusses being nearly universal, whole house software won’t grow truss sales noticeably. But, if viable, whole house software should grow wall panel sales, and the history of wall panel acceptance tells part of this story.

1950 to 1980 – After the midpoint of the 20th century, whole house packages went into the construction of a considerable portion of home sales, especially in the Midwest. These were efficiently designed, well-built homes that were built offsite and shipped compactly by panelizers like National Homes and many dozens of others. Yet these companies didn’t survive past the 1980s and were displaced largely by onsite framing. In the aftermath, offsite panelization took a hit, except in certain pockets where component manufacturers supplied whole house components, four of which are shown in the image. The demise of panelizers in the period should dispel the notion that there is a sales advantage to supplying whole house packages.

1980 to present – Sinking lumber prices in the early 1980s also shrank the competitiveness of wall panels, as factory labor costs became a higher percentage of the sales price of panels. However, Lenny Sylk initiated a new strategy, emphasizing the value of componentizing the whole house, and underscored his approach by renaming his company from Material Fabrication to Shelter Systems. In 1985, he pioneered what came to be known as Framing the American Dream (FAD), gaining hard data on the cost savings of panelization by erecting a componentized house next to a stickframed house. When the economy began its long march upward in the 1990s, Framing the American Dream was repeated at the International Builders Show for a national audience, encouraging CMs to pursue panelization and the software to support it.

In the mid-1990s, Tommy Wood, the panel software supplier of Lenny Sylk and others, propelled panels to a leading role in whole house design by rebranding his business as Intelligent Building Systems (IBS). Tommy astutely deployed the term “parametrics” to describe the ease of reworking panel layouts to accommodate design changes. This underscored one of the main differentiators between his software, which defined panels from reference lines, and the software from other suppliers. And having this capability enabled Tommy to combine with truss software supplier Truswal, which supplied many of his users. Combining IBS software with truss software was complicated by ITW’s acquisition of Truswal and Alpine software, each with unique capabilities. Likewise, MiTek faced similar challenges combining their legacy software with TrusJoist’s in the OptiFrame joint effort. In fact, truss and panel programs couldn’t be merged, so new code had to be written. This extended the development cycle through the severe 2008–2009 downturn, the untimely death of Tommy Wood in 2011, and later the Covid pandemic, but it can be argued that we have finally reached a new era for whole house design.

Utilization in the present day – So now that robust whole house software is available, is it being used? Surprisingly, after software investments of hundreds of millions of dollars, most CMs, including Builders FirstSource’s large cadre of panel designers, mainly compartmentalize panel design and separate it from truss design. Both tasks require a mastery of the intricate details of building plans and an intimate understanding of potential framing solutions. However, both the details and the solutions are radically different for trusses vs. panels. As a result, designers attempting both may become “a jack of all trades, and a master of none.” And two sets of expert eyeballs on a plan can provide a valuable quality check and may be necessary to meet builder ’s deadlines.

Whole House Development Benefits

1Updated infrastructure

2Common interface

3Shared databases

4 Uniform file structure

Protects from hacking and minimizes crashes

Better administration, supervision, and training

Material inventories and prices stay consistent

Expedites retrieval and lessens errors

So, even if all the industry’s efforts have fallen short of the dream of a single user modeling the entire structure, the payoff has been substantial. Although dealing with software updates can be a painful process, good designers understand that it is a way of life.1 And designers will accept the pain if they have substantial gain.

Next Month: Panel Equipment Innovations

1. For more on the development of specific software programs, see the 2016 LinkedIn article by Christopher Gould, “6 Reasons Why MiTek Sapphire is Superior to eFrame.”

Increase the value of the advanced component package you provide to builder customers with open web floor trusses.

Builders who partner with their component manufacturer to design their builds using floor trusses can gain efficiencies in shorter cycle times and reduced waste compared to I-Joists.

Are you ready to help builders design for floor trusses from the start? Talk to a MiTek Representative to get started.

TheJobLine.com

Software Territory Sales Representative –Component ManufacturersJ15336

You want to be an important member of a strong team of other makers who take pride in their work and support each other. As a Territory Sales Representative (TSR) – Component Manufacturing, you will be responsible for growing Truss sales in the Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Northern Arkansas Territory while creating and maintaining effective relationships with component manufacturing customers. Your goal for these relationships will be to promote the company's software suite and related hardware products. This encompasses job management, design and analysis for prefabricated metal plate connected wood trusses and engineered wood products. You will coordinate with and contribute to the overall branch and company efforts to profitably grow our business. You will also lead and participate in training sessions/workshops in and out of the territory. These workshops require scheduling, promotion, set-up, presentation, and take-down, as well as providing observation and suggestions for improvement. You will work with Regional Sales Managers, Product Management, Marketing, and other TSRs to develop/coordinate sales strategies and programs; and communicate appropriate market trends and field intelligence to provide to Management and Operations to ensure customer satisfaction. If career growth is important to you, we not only know how to help you with that, it’s what we love to do.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

DESIGN

Elevate Your Wall Panel, Floor Truss or Roof Truss

Manufacturing with 4Ward Design Solutions’

Precision Component Design Services!

When you work with us, you get: and best of all...

Speed and Scalability

Adjustable Hours

No Need for Training

Reduced Regulatory Burdens

Reliable Timelines

Excellence

Extend your existing capabilities with 4Ward's design expertise. Without the hassle and expense of training your own designers, partnering with us guarantees that each wall panel, floor truss or roof truss will be designed for structural integrity and production and field efficiency.

Achieve cost eﬃciency without compromising on excellence. Our costsensitive approach ensures maximum value for your investment.

Leverage our expertise, ensuring every component is attentively designed for optimal performance and durability.

We understand that every component project is unique. At 4Ward, we create custom designs, tailored to your exact speciﬁcations. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

‘Set

& Forget’ With The Sheather 5 Gun 2 Saw

A fantastic addition to your wall frame line! You’ll have perfectly sheathed walls in minutes, without being labor intensive.

ONE TOUCH AUTOMATION PREVENTS SHINERS KEEPS UP WITH WALL EXTRUDER +

Suitable for all common walls and most raked walls, the Sheather 5 Gun 2 Saw is the ultimate in wall sheathing!

Wendy Boyd Chief Customer Officer Machinery Group Spida Machinery

Spida’s Jacksonville Open House

What an amazing week we had in July—we had the privilege of welcoming a number of suppliers and fabricators to our Jacksonville Open Days! This was a tremendous way to welcome everyone to our new facility in Jacksonville, FL.

We really appreciate everyone giving up their time to come visit us and learn more about Spida Machinery and what makes us who we are. It allowed us to connect with others in the industry and spend time understanding their businesses, their manufacturing pain points, and goals for the future.

It was way back in May 2022 that we purchased this large new factory in Jacksonville. This well-established site has eight acres of land and the factory itself is three times as big as our previous one in Shelbyville, IN. We’ve been really excited about this factory as it’s fit for purpose and allows for expansion. The factory has extra dedicated office space and will be a central hub for our customers. You’ll be able to come visit and look at your machines being built. You’ll also be able to see machinery in action in the testing phase.

We manufacture machinery, but at our core is our people-focused approach and the partnerships we develop with our customers. We’re passionate about what we do and we genuinely care about our people, our customers, and delivering the best results. We listen to your pain points, understand your challenges, and then recommend a solution that is best for you and your factory

If you’re interested in learning more about us and our approach, please get in touch. We’d welcome you to come visit, too!

● PlanSwift Lumber & Bldg Mat Takeoffs

● Truss & Wall Panel Design Staff

● EWP Layouts and much more!

www.AllPoints.Tech

Dave Walstad - Panama City Beach, FL

Cell - 941-713-4395

Dave.AllPoints@gmail.com All Points integrates with Epicor’s BisTrack So you can be More Accurate, Faster.

European Glued Truss - Joist Licensees, Partnerships, or Investment Opportunity U.S. & Globally protected product and process

This first-of-its-kind G-Joist offers unique parallel chord options

• Can use bottom OR top chord support

• Manufacture as a custom joist, chase opening, and support or

• manufacture as fixed length, arbitrary cut, and support

• Can be cut arbitrarily AND trimmed on one OR both ends

• No hanger required when top chord support

• No proof loading required Dr. Tuomo Poutanen Kuninkaankatu 41 B 33200 Tampere Finland tuomo.poutanen@tuni.fi +358408490900, www.gjoist.com

• Can be configured with large chase openings Contact me for details: Dr. Tuomo Poutanen tuomo.poutanen@gjoist.com +358408490900 www.gjoist.com Material Takeoffs Slowing You Down? All Points Can Help You Sell More in 2024!

To see meaningful labor savings, quality improvement and production gains, SL Lasers with their easy-to-see green light are nothing short of illuminating. They enhance worker accuracy and productivity, regardless of experience or primary language. They can reduce tedious setup time by up to 70%. No complex training or costly service agreements are required. And SL Lasers integrate seamlessly with any component design software and are quickly installed over existing equipment.

We’ve been trailblazers in wood component laser projection since its very beginning, and we’re still delivering more rapid ROI for roof truss, wall and floor panel producers every day. Contact our enlightening team at Wood Tech Systems to see how SL Laser can deliver for you.

One month after installing a Double Lumber PickLine to feed two TCT Linear Saws:

"We are getting 3,000 to 5,000 bdft more each saw, than we were getting before the install.

We have shut down one Cybersaw and one TCT chord saw.

This equals about 3 less people 10 hours, and 2 less forklifts 10 hours.

Overall, it is a major improvement to our operation. We hope to have the chance to run it two shifts to further accelerate the payback.”

Tom Hollinshed, Owner

Honest, Direct, and Unbiased Expert Advisement.

For over twenty years, TDC has consistently proven to be the go to expert for reducing costs and improving productivity in all areas. All this is achieved with no equipment vendor referral fees.

Willie Boyatt VP Operations, Whitley City, KY

"The market and competition is growing more challenging, and we must stay competitive. Our truss plant was struggling in several areas, so we hired Todd Drummond to come in and assess our truss operation to help get us a game plan together to improve our operation and help us develop a growth plan. This investment was well spent because we learned so much in just a short time. Todd walked us through the things we needed to change immediately, why we needed to change them, and things we would need to change or improve as we grow. After the consultation, we went right to work changing the things he recommended, and the results have been a huge value increase in our operations. Thanks, Todd."

A gain of only one net profit point would easily be more than 10x the TDC investment for most companies.

www.todd drummond.com todd@todd drummond.com (603) 748 1051

Retaining Profits Amid Margin Compression

What was widely expected has finally happened. Years of very profitable high sales led to vast increases in capacity to meet that demand, but now we have declining sales volume—the classic too much supply versus not enough demand to maintain margins. Some like to call this margin compression, while others see it as lowering prices to keep paying the bills. Suddenly, what was considered safe or reliable customers are now offered attractive quotes from your competitors. As a component manufacturer (CM), how can you effectively counter margin compression while maintaining profits? Besides the constant battle of lowering manufacturing costs, there is one major thing your company may do to combat this never-ending struggle. Those who have done this have been very successful (though they prefer to remain quiet about it).

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

— Wayne Dyer

Product Material is Irrelevant, and Time is Far More Important — This may shock many, but when you sell roof/floor trusses, you are not selling lumber units. You are selling products that happen to be made with lumber and truss plates. If it were cheaper, faster, and comparable material, would anyone care if they were made of other materials? Think about all the time and effort needed for communicating information, engineering designs, processing purchase orders, manufacturing, and delivery. There are a whole lot of steps involved in the entire process. One overriding common element is time. When orders are processed, everyone consumes the resources of your operation by varying degrees of time. Regardless of size or automation, every CM only has a limited number of hours in a day to process all the orders, and all have limitations. Knowing that time is the crucial element, not material, is vital to improving margins.

Todd Drummond

Board

Foot Pricing is Highly

Renting the Manufacturing Table Time to Each Customer — For over twenty years of providing my services, I have claimed that every CM should be comparing the cost markup pricing method versus a margin based on work minutes (Man-minutes, R.E. or S.U.). Every single client who started using the work minutes per margin dollar method has improved their net profits. Let me repeat this to you. Every single client improved their net earnings by using a pricing method of establishing their margin based on work minutes, which is calculated time, and comparing this to the cost markup pricing methods. To understand why margin per work hour is so effective, all you need to think about is each time an order is being processed, you are renting the table time to the customer.

Flawed

for Roof Trusses and Should Not Be Used — A margin per work minute time is not the same as any Board Foot (BF) pricing calculation, which is a highly flawed pricing method for roof trusses. BF truss pricing falls apart when you compare roof truss orders with larger material chord orders versus smaller chord orders, such as 2x4 vs. 2x8, or orders with long runs versus many setups, such as common runs versus hip roofs. With BF pricing, you must constantly mentally adjust to account for all varying discrepancies. If you have correctly developed work minutes into the truss program, no matter the setups or lumber size, the time needed to complete the order is calculated. Again, BF is NOT the same as work minute calculations for roof trusses.

Lumber Prices Do Not Matter

— When a CM starts using the margin per work minute pricing method, how much the lumber pricing fluctuates is irrelevant. The processing time does not fluctuate based on the cost of lumber, so why should the shop’s baseline margin dollars per hour fluctuate? Each CM should establish a margin per hour baseline rate for the roof truss tables to charge their customers. They then add the margin per hour estimate to the material and labor cost to establish the sales price, which is all done with the plate vendor software reports. The same pricing report compares the margin per hour costs to the traditional cost markup methods to see if it is above, at, or below the margin per hour baseline. Establish the minimum margin rate per hour and watch how much more your operations produce in margin dollars per any given time period. This method will weed out poor margin-per-hour orders while improving orders that produce at a much higher rate per hour. You can expand this same method to know your actual profits daily because the margin per work hour is correctly calculated on every order when properly functioning. Why wait until the month’s or quarter’s end to know your net profits?

More information may be found in these past articles:

• Change Your Pricing Formula and Make More Net Profit

• How One Wood Truss Industry Leader Uses Industrial Engineering Practices of Work Minutes to Excel

To enhance your communications and reduce errors, please see last month’s article, Maintaining Successful Project Management Communications

If your location is using Eagle Metal software, ask them about using TDC roof and floor truss time standards. TDC and Eagle have an agreement for this service. Then, start using properly developed work minutes for your pricing, scheduling, and shop efficiencies.

The TDC team is your best source for learning about proven and practical lean manufacturing best practices combined with industrial engineering principles to keep your company at the leading edge of competitiveness. No one is better at providing your team with proven results for good employee practices, pricing, truss labor estimation, and so many other best-in-class practices. TDC’s tailored solutions are for the client’s specific needs. Go beyond the typical software and equipment vendor recommendations for your operations and do what many have dared to do. Embrace the Drummond Method, and your company can experience cost savings and net profit gains that usually take months or years. These gains can be accomplished in weeks or months, resulting in an average of 3 to 6 point net profit gains for CMs. All areas are addressed, not just manufacturing. Please do not take my word about TDC’s services, though. Read the public testimonials many current and past clients with decades of expertise and experience have been willing to give: https://todd-drummond.com/testimonials/

Website: www.todd-drummond.com • Phone (USA): 603-748-1051

“We’ve

— Tolga Adak Florida Quality Truss Inc.

2006 Alpine AutoMill SC Automated Component Saw

• Model 348B

• Automated Setup via Download or Semi-Automated Setup via Touch Screen Input

• 23 Axes of Automation

• Sets up in 2 to 15 Seconds

• Five Blades cut 2x3 thru 2x12 up to 20'

• Waste Conveyor (under saw)

• Excludes Incline Waste Conveyor (adjacent to saw) and Live Deck (in fronnt of saw)

• 480 Volt / 3 Phase

• Video available upon request

$38,900 NOW $10,000 FOB TX Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

A dverti$er Component manufaCturing

Work Smar ter

Safety Speed Manufacturing Model 7400 XL Panel Saw

Safety Speed Manufacturing, model 7400 XL*, vertical panel saw, 3 HP induction motor, 64 inch crosscut, 2 1/8" maximum thickness, accuracy within 0.005 inches, 13 foot long welded steel frame with integrated stand and linear V-guides, enclosed counterweight system, adjustable vertical and horizontal rules. Quick changes from vertical to horizontal cutting. Includes machined aluminum material rollers, hold down bar, wheels, quick stop gauges and material hold downs. Dust collection ready. Options available include digital readouts for vertical cuts, automated length measuring, laser guide, stop bar, vacuum and midway fence. 208-230/460 volt, 3 phase electrical (208-230 single phase, 2 HP power optional +$100.00).

$14,499 Base, FOB MN. Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

Safety Speed Cut Model 7000 Panel Saw

Safety Speed Manufacturing model 7000, vertical panel saw, 3 HP induction motor, 64 inch crosscut, 2 inch maximum thickness, accuracy within 1/64th of an inch, 10 foot welded steel frame with integrated stand and linear V-guides, enclosed counterweight system, adjustable vertical and horizontal rules. Quick changes from vertical to horizontal cutting. Includes machined aluminum material rollers, hold down bar, wheels, quick stop gauges and material hold downs. Dust collection ready. Options available include lower frame extensions, digital readouts, laser guide, stop bar, vacuum and midway fence. 208-230/460 volt, 3 phase electrical (208-230 single phase, 2 HP power optional +$100.00). $10,199 Base, FOB MN.

That'sallthetimeittakes todrillstudsforrunningRomexorotherelectricalwireinthewallpanels

Motor: HeavyDuty5HP-3phase-220vor440v(Pleasespecifywhenordering)

MotorcarriagebearingandspindleassemblymountedonBlanchardgroundsteelplate

LinealmotionishardenedandgroundVbearingsandrails

BlockSizes: 2x4through2x12infiniteheightsettingtocenter

AirSupply: 100psi10CFM

Drills: 2wing3/4'”CarbideTippedcanaccommodatesmallerorlarger

Spindles: AlloySteelpolishedandgroundprecisionshafting

Frame: 2"SteelWithPowderCoatFinish

Covers: 10Gauge(1/8"Thick)Aluminumremovable

Dimensions: Height-60inches,Width-33inches,Depth-33inches

Shippingweight: 750lbs.-(Includingcrate)

MADEINAMERICABYAMERICANS

Cutting & Material Solutions For Your Line!

Precise cutting up to 4-boards high! The ProCut™ UC Linear Saw Series is configurable to any assembly line; providing a safe, accurate way to cut your lumber, while keeping your materials moving on your line.

ProCut™ UC Linear Saw

For all Roof, Floor, & Wall Panel Components; webs, chords, sliders & wedges - up to 4-boards high! 6-Position clamping squares & holds lumber for spot-on accuracy.

Enhance efficiency by eliminating carts & reducing congestion. ProDeck™ & Custom Material Handling Systems optimize material flow & deliver cut parts directly to your assembly stations.

ProCut™ Material Handling Systems Parts & Accessories

Whether you’re looking to enhance your ProCut™ Saw, replace parts, or simply add convenience to your plant, our selection of products will help keep your ProCut™ running safe, clean, & efficiently.

The ProCut™ UC Linear Saw Series offers many variations to suit your plant & assembly line. Let us design a system for you.

• High Performance Linear Feed Saw

• (does not bevel cut)

• Touchscreen Monitor

• Automated Infeed System

• Inkjet Printer

• Outfeed Conveyor System

• Waste Conveyor

• 240 Volt / 3 Phase / 100 Amp

• Air Requirements: 25 CFM at 100 PSI

• Excludes Dust Collector

• Video available upon request

The truss industry relies on 3rd party quality assurance services to provide random visits to review the plants Quality Assurance program along with their operations. If your plant needs to comply with the IRC, IBC and to those who depend on solid, experienced QA expertise, we ask you to consider selecting Timber Products Inspection, Inc. (TP) as your choice for 3rd party inspections.

Proudly serving the forest products industry for over 50 years, TP brings the expertise you need to ensure your business is successful. As a responsible partner, TP delivers to clients, employees, and the industries we serve the confidence to drive value through the effective use of our diverse professional team.

TP would like to welcome the following authorized agents to our inspection team, each of whom have many years of experience in the truss industry! • Al Coffman

Jean Hart

Curt Holler

Chuck Ray

Glenn Traylor

Elliot Wilson

If you have questions about how you can make this selection, please contact your authorized agent above or Glenn Traylor at 919-280-5905 or trusguy@gmail.com. https://www.tpinspection.com/ https://www.tpinspection.com/auditing-services/truss

By Glenn Traylor

What Can We Learn From the Recent CrowdStrike Debacle?

In the early morning hours of July 19, 2024, there was a major collapse of world commerce.

According to the company CrowdStrike, a defect in a content update to its Falcon cybersecurity defense software for Windows caused a world-wide crash that impacted many businesses, most notably the airline industry. According to Microsoft, the CrowdStrike IT outage affected 8.5 million Windows devices. This incident immediately resulted in work stoppages, stranded passengers, and lost revenue. No explanation has been given to justify releasing the software update without adequately testing it first.

The good news is that the Georgia-based restaurant Waffle House was not impacted!1

What did the impacted businesses do? Unfortunately, some were paralyzed and unable to conduct business. Others instituted emergency protocols that allowed them to continue operating albeit in modified fashion. One interesting example was an overseas airline that switched to handwritten baggage claim tickets and boarding passes so that they could move passengers in spite of the computer crash. Personally, I was very lucky that my normal carrier successfully transported me out of Houston on time Friday night; although I did then spend five hours cooling my heels in Atlanta, I was very glad I did not have to rent a car, as many of my fellow travelers did, or have to wait until the next day for a flight home.

The millions of people affected by this major disruption of global commerce had one very simple thing in common—in some way, their lives were directly affected by their dependence on computers. In particular, the computers were dependent on Cloud-based resources that had stopped working.

What Is Your Level of Preparedness?

Seeing so many people face the so-called “blue screen of death” on their computers should give us all pause. Do you have any contingency plans for situations like this or other emergencies? Will your team members know how to keep your business operating? Ask your team these questions:

1. Do we have a plan in place to manage a general emergency? If not, what do we need to cement one?

2. Could our shop set up a truss without a laser?

3. What would happen if GPS systems went down? Could drivers find the delivery addresses?

4. What if our only finish roller went down?

5. Could we cut on a manual saw if necessary?

6. Do we have a way to output cutting without a terminal connection?

7. Do we have designs archived in more than one format?

8. Is our computer system or database vulnerable to malware attacks, bad actors, or other service interruptions?

9. Does our computer system have adequate backups of all our essential data? And, has anyone checked to see if our backed-up data can be restored?

Technology has helped us in many ways, but technology has also made us dependent upon computer systems. When those systems are compromised, whether it be by malware or power outages or faulty code updates, we should be able to figure out how to get back to work before we incur serious cost.

This is a great reminder that backing up job files is an important aspect of risk management. You must consider what you may need to maintain your production and operations. I may not want to go back to the days when I depended on a Rand McNally Gazetteer for my directions, but I know I still have several maps in my car. The maps may be outdated, but they would be better than nothing if ever needed.

Are you putting all your eggs in one basket? Is this a smart move? Through mergers and acquisitions, many companies have sought to centralize their entire structure, while others continue to operate as independent segments. Highly centralized companies can tout their presumed efficiencies, but looser networks may be better able to diversify their risk. What plans should you be considering to manage your risk?

An ANSI/TPI 1 3rd Party Quality Assurance Authorized Agent covering the Southeastern United States, Glenn Traylor is an independent consultant with almost four decades of experience in the structural building components industry. Glenn serves as a trainer-evaluator-auditor covering sales, design, PM, QA, customer service, and production elements of the truss industry. He also provides project management specifically pertaining to structural building components, including on-site inspections and ANSI/TPI 1 compliance assessments. Glenn provides new plant and retrofit designs, equipment evaluations, ROI, capacity analysis, and CPM analysis.

Glenn Traylor Structural Building Components Industry Consultant http://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntraylor

Building Trust. Creating Together.

Equipment Solutions for the Offsite Construction Industry

Timber Frame Wall Panel Line

CONSISTS OF:

• X-Frame Framing Table

• X-Square Squaring Table

• X-Multi CNC Bridge with Tool Changer

• X-Tilt Butterfly Table

LINE DETAILS:

• Panel Capacity: 40ft x 10ft

• Production Capacity: 800 houses / annually

• X-Floc CNC Insulation Bridge

• X-Square Squaring Table

• X-Multi CNC Bridge

• X-Square Squaring Table

Modular Building Automation designs and manufactures equipment for the offsite construction industry worldwide. A range of solutions available from individual machines and production lines to full modular factory setups.

• Capable of manufacturing standard wall panels and triangular panel trusses

Saws

• Automated Component & Linear Saws (2010 & Newer)

• Monet DeSauw or TimberMill Manual Component Saws

• Floor Web Saws

• Spida (Apollo) Saws with Truss Automation

• Bunk Cutters

Truss Equipment

• Roller Gantry & Hydraulic Press Systems

• Finish Rollers

• Truss Stackers

• Floor Truss Machines

• Lumber Splicers

• Jack Tables

• C-Clamp Presses

1999 Speed Cut Metra Cut Saw with Hain Measuring System

1999 Speed Cut Metra Cut saw, model SSA17, S/N: AD2479 features turntable cutting, 16″ blade with 1” diameter arbor bore, maximum cutting depth of 6″, maximum length of scarf cut is 36″, 164 deg. cutting range and 5HP motor. Includes 10 foot long out-feed conveyor, push-button on/off controls, analog angle measure on turntable, and (1) spare blade. This saw is paired with a 2022 Hain Measuring System, 120v, 18′ Ft/In, with Metra Cut style low–profile stops mounted on 15′ 2022 HD Hytrol roller-conveyor.

$12,990 FOB IN Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

Trucks & Trailers

• Stretch Roll-Off Trailers

• Go oseneck Roll-Off Trailers

Modular Equipment

• Pacific Automation or MiTek Mobile Home Press

Contact Wasserman & Associates for a Fair Market Value Assessment of your Used Equipment Operational, Needs Work, and Parts Only equipment will be considered!

Whirlwind Model 1000 Cut-Off Saw

• 5 HP Motor with 14" Blade

• 2 3/16" x 8 1/4" Capacity

• Pneumatic Blade Guard/Lumber Clamp

• Foot Pedal Control

• Dust Collection Outlet

• 460 Volt / 3 Phase

• 1 Left Hand & 1 Right Hand Model Available

$3,500 NOW $2,800 Each FOB NC Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

Price: $229,900

FOB: ND

Don’t just do it, nail it. It’s a brand new day in wall-panel production, with a whole new way of doing things better.

Terminailer®, a revolutionary, event-driven, nailing machine that completely defies any preconceived notions about sub-component assembly.

Terminailer all but shatters the stereotypical myth that subcomponent equipment is essentially peripheral – unimportant. And it does so by quickly and accurately driving far more framing nails in your wall panel jobs than ever before. Whether in your shop or in the field, one operator sets the pace for production and quality. And that reduces labor costs and other aspects of overhead.

Terminailer is an event-driven, sub-component assembler that will quickly and accurately drive 30% to 70% of the framing nails in any wall panel job. In your shop or in the field, one operator sets the pace for production and quality. The Terminailer functions independent of design software, requires zero set-up time when switching between any configuration, and requires no special operator training.

The Terminailer is easy to move around the shop so it’s location can evolve as your shop evolves. With all of the nailing occurring in the closed main chamber, nail injuries and nail location miss-fires are eliminated, making your plant that much safer.

With nearly ten years of development from people that know machinery it is assembled to exacting standards, well supported, and it is easily maintained with shelf-item parts. Terminailer: vetted, tested, and ready to drive maximum productivity for you. Be sure to check out our videos below for a quick review of this revolutionary machine!

2021 Powermatic Model 511 Panel Saw 2021 Powermatic model 511 panel saw. Vertical panel saw features a powerful 3HP worm-drive motor which rotates in the carriage, adding the versatility to perform rip cuts. The solid aluminum rollers assure smooth feeding of stock and perfect 90° cuts every time. This saw will handle panels up to 5-ft tall in unlimited length. Includes horizontal and vertical scales and casters for mobility, the counterweight system keeps the saw carriage in the desired position when loading or unloading panels. Features dual 4″ dust collection ports with nylon brush surrounding the blade for superior dust collection from the front and the rear side of the panel. 115v, 1-phase electrical required.

$6,799 FOB AZ

Wood Tech Systems

765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

2023 Northfield Model 410 Upcut Saw NEW 2023 Northfield model 410 upcut saw available for immediate shipment. 90/90 degree cuts to 4″ x 10″ capacity (fence forward position) to 2″ x 14″ (fence rearward position). Saw is configured for material from left to right, with 3″ x 6″ air operated cylinder, filter, regulator, lubricator, 10 HP motor, enclosed steel base with cast iron table, magnetic starter and adjustable operating speed from 20 to 60 CPM. Includes optional two-palm controls, additional 4″ dust outlet, NEMA 12 electrics with fused disconnect and two 18″ diameter 60 tooth blades with 1″ diameter bore. 460 volt, 3 phase electrical required.

$18,630 FOB MN

Wood Tech Systems

765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

Time To Hire?

We’re here when you need help! visit: www.thejobline.com email: twm@thejobline.com STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL!

2008 Alpine PF90 Wall Panel Saw 2008 Alpine PF 90 wall panel cutting and marking system. 3.5″ x 12″ maximum cutting profile, Inkjet option, cuts to 16 ft long. From the OEM’s literature, “Effortlessly handles two of the most critical and difficult processes in any wall panel operation – plate cutting and panel layout. At the rate of 1,000 linear feet per hour or more, uses data from the design software and accurately marks stud, cripple and jack locations, job and panel number, subcomponent and window/door locations, and even sheathing locations on both top and bottom plates simultaneously with ink-jet printing.

$8,499 FOB NY

Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

Monet DeRobo Linear Saw

New, DeRobo linear saw by Monet organizes "fill" boards to increase optimization of each board, can produce unlimited scarf cuts, cuts 1 or 2 boards at a time and cuts webs, chords, wedges, rafters and open-stair stringers. Works with all major connector plate manufacturer's software. Features include 22 inch blade, left-to-right feed direction standard, lumber push and pull grippers for more accuracy, ink marking on the 1 1/2" face of the incoming boards and small piece capture and delivery to the front of the saw for easy access. Infeed deck and bunk feed are shown as options only. 480 volt, 3phase.

www.woodtechsystems.com

Edmond Lim, P.Eng. LimTek Solutions Inc.

Doing Your BCMC Homework

It is that time of year again. With just two months until BCMC 2024 in Milwaukee, WI, here is some BCMC homework as you begin considering capital expenditures (CapEx). It is crucial to go beyond just the financial metrics like ROI and take into account several qualitative factors. And yes, all of these qualitative factors were on full display during our Feed the Beast! Plant Tour at Tindell’s last month.

Reliability, after-sales support, availability of offthe-shelf spare parts, and easy routine maintenance requirements go hand-inhand to significantly reduce downtime if and when something goes wrong. For examples of how easily existing plant personnel can effectively keep Enventek automation and machinery running smoothly, check out my previous article, “Turning Supply Chain Constraints Into Opportunities.”

In fact, ease of use and training has become mission critical for all industries in today’s labor tight labor market, but fortunately some systems are up to the challenge. Each of our automation elements can be taught to run in less than 30 minutes. Our automation and processes are user-friendly, intuitive, easy, and safe to operate, as I reported earlier this summer in “Automation Elements That Can Benefit Any Size Truss Plant.”

So when you are evaluating new equipment to increase your production capacity, you need to think beyond what you see in front of you. Do not just simply replace existing capacity with a new machine. Our solutions are designed to meet growing demand and are scalable incrementally, as I explore in “Incremental CapEx and Accelerated ROI.”

In particular, long-term cost savings by reducing operating costs is a much-overlooked ROI attribute. Reduced operating costs, however, must be sustainable. Will a new machine or automation process continue to reduce operating costs years after the initial ROI or will it become a maintenance nightmare?

Tindell’s Feed the Beast attendees marvel at the simplicity and organization of cut pieces in front of the truss build tables. All of this is accomplished with just one dedicated lumber picker and one sawyer.

When it comes to Incremental CapEx, you can feed any automated saw with an Enventek Lumber PickLine. This will significantly reduce expensive forklift lumber picking, reclaim saw idle time, and increase truss production at the truss build tables by better organization and collation of cut lumber.

When you’re thinking about saws, you have to think about throughput and efficient material handling. For example, in the photo, a Lumber PickLine (on the right) feeds an Alpine 4.0 Linear saw by dispatching boards down the lumber waterfall skate wheel arms to the 10 ft Alpine autofeed deck. This reclaims saw idle time which significantly boosts saw output.

When evaluating your legacy sawing machinery, the most important qualifier is the accuracy of the cut pieces at the tables. Problems at the truss build tables due to cutting inaccuracy is telling you that your saw is past its service life. Did you know that Enventek maintains an extensive supply of used parts for all MiTek series component saws? Just visit our MiTek used saw parts page and submit a picture of the specific part(s) you are looking for on your MiTek Easy-Set saw, MiTek SmartSet saw or MiTek Cyber A/T saw (sorry, only MiTek saws), then we will reply with a used part quote.

When planning for capital expenditures, it’s essential to balance quantitative metrics like ROI with qualitative factors such as reliability, ease of use, production impact, and long-term cost savings. By doing so, you can score high in your ROI homework assignment by also demonstrating sustained operational excellence and growth.

When you’re ready to Feed Your Beast and see these efficient and effective systems for yourself, let us know! Inside and out, LimTek Process Organization Technology will help you squeeze out more truss production and deliver quality trusses with shorter lead times to better service your customers by organizing your truss fabrication processes to maximize your investment in automation. https://limteksolutions.com/#solutions.

$315,000 Location: MO

New, Monet DeSawyer 2000, computerized, five-bladed component saw, sets up in 15 to 17 seconds, can run in manual mode, downloads projects from a network or manually using display screen controls. Features all powered movements, cuts from 15" 90/90 cuts to 20 foot length, 2 x 3" to 2 x 12" lumber depths and internal brakes are standard. Options include enhanced servo controls featuring autocalibration, catcher's display and either shaker or belt scrap conveyor and incline. 440 volt, 3 phase electrical.

Training. Support. Partnership. Experience service as a solution.

Strong businesses thrive on solid relationships. Working with Simpson Strong-Tie, you have direct access to dedicated professionals who are focused on customer success.

As part of our services, experienced designers and licensed engineers take the time to listen and understand your unique project challenges. We also offer accredited training on truss connectors and comprehensive training on our design and management software. Plus, our innovative products are widely available and backed by expert service and support. It all adds up to solutions that are every bit as reliable as the people behind them.

Team up with a proven industry partner. To learn more, visit go.strongtie.com/componentsolutions or call (800 ) 999-5099.

SAWS

2006 Alpine Speed Rafter Cutter

• Simplified compound cutting for hip, valley and jack rafters (double & single compound cuts)

• Two Worm-Drive Circular Saws (110 Volt / 30 Amps)

• Saw Turntable (for angle cutting)

• Saw Carriage (for up to 45 degree bevel cutting)

• Infeed & Outfeed Roller Conveyor with Stands

$4,900 NOW $4,250 FOB CA Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

2017 Vekta S5 Linear Saw (L2)

2017 Vekta model S5 linear saw, plunge-cuts and marks roof and wall parts. Cuts from 0 to 180 degrees (no bevel / compound cutting), unlimited maximum cutting length (minimum length 31 1/2″), one or two 2×4’s dimensional lumber boards at a time. Does angle cutting and birdsmouth (under or overcut) and rip cuts. Includes 5.35 Horsepower blade motor, HP cartridge printer marking on one 3 1/2″ face and one 1 1/2″ edge. Includes infeed, outfeed, scrap incline conveyor and vacuum option.

Current computer O/S is Windows 10 (supported until Oct’ 24). Requires upgrade of Vekta software to their version 14. Vekta estimates repairs of approximately $70k are necessary. OEM available to perform repairs at the Vekta facility in MN. 480 volt, 3 phase, 50 Amp electrical required at saw. 120 volt, 1 phase electrical required for computer. 14.2 CFM at 100 PSI air required.

$69,997 FOB NM

Wood Tech Systems

765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

2013 Monet DeRobo Linear Saw Generation I computer numeric controlled linear saw with touch screen user interface and two operating modes: auto (download setups from, LAN or diskette) or semi-auto (touch screen setup entry). Configured for roof truss parts, and manually fed boards. Includes computer and PLC (programmable logic controlled) for blade settings, overtravel protection, setup screens. Features 22” x 40 tooth blade on PAE, making plunge cuts. Can cut up to 2 boards at once to produce webs, chords and wedges. Servo position on in-feed, angle, and out-feed pusher. Lumber optimization program standard, 20ft. max. material length. Includes Matthews DOD 8400 Ink-Jet marking on up to two (2) 1 1/2″ edges, and includes all available spare parts. Voltage 480/3/60 – 60 Amp electrical required, 100 psi air required.

$64,995

Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

2005 MiTek SmartSet Pro 5-Blade Component Saw

2005 MiTek SmartSet Pro 5-blade component saw with 2×16”, 2×20”, 1×32” blades, swing-arm central control system with rugged industrial touchscreen for simple input of cutting data including cutting angles, centerline, length, etc. Includes belt waste conveyor, scrap incline, and dust-hoods, cuts from 11″@ 90/90, 45º four angle webs from 16″, 2×3 through 2×12 up to 20′, Maximum scarf cut 29″ w/32″ blade. Includes a spare set of blades. 230/460v, 3-Ph, 152.1 full-load Amps / 77.2 Amps for controls required.

$68,497 FOB IN

Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

IntelliVIEW Suite Manage. Design. Build.

The industry’s most powerful integrated component design, engineering, and management software for steel and wood-framed structures.

iCommand

Manage projects, customers, materials, pricing & inventory

iModel

Design truss layout & profiles

iDesign

Optimize material usage & engineer trusses

iPanel

Design wall layouts, panelize, bundle, break & stack

eShop

Maximize crew productivity & improve manufacturing efficiency

The IntelliVIEW Suite is a fully integrated software solution for the layout and design of a building’s rough framing elements—including roof and floor trusses, wall panels, solid sawn, EWP, sheathing and various ancillaries.

The IntelliVIEW Suite provides the industry’s most complete analysis of the design, cost information and bill of materials—promoting increased profits by reducing plate and lumber use.

Ask those who know. They’ll tell you about the people at Alpine who make a difference.

BCMC 2024 is Around the Corner

By Alpine Staff

With only two months until the next Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC), everyone is hard at work preparing for the show! BCMC last year was successful. We look forward to this opportunity each year to connect with our customers, industry professionals as well as showcasing the latest innovations.

Are you getting readying for BCMC on October 7–11, 2024? We hope you’ll come see us at the Baird Convention Center in downtown Milwaukee, WI –Alpine will be in Booth #337 this year.

We’re also excited to be sponsoring the second “Celebrating Women in Construction: Coffee and Connections” on Wednesday, October 9 from 7:30 – 8:30 am in room N205. This promises to be a fun networking opportunity, where everyone is welcome to attend for coffee and conversation.

To register for the show, please visit the registration page on the BCMC website. We’ll see you in Milwaukee!

Alpine Booth #337 will be showcasing our latest innovations designed to help make CMs more efficient and profitable.

and Auto-Nesting and Auto-Nesting

AutoFill button for Maximum Material Utilization

Labels parts as they cut. (printer optional)

Easy manual cuts and re-cuts

Import files from most major design suites

Industry-first sheathing saw that cuts angles.

Cuts OSB, CDX, Zip, Dense Glass and more.

Minimal airborne dust, even while cutting gypsum.

Monet FWA 500 CA Automated Floor Web Saw

In answer to the demands of high-volume customers comes the Monet DeSauw FWA 500 CA (Automated Controls) floor web saw. The 500 CA is perfect for component manufacturers who routinely run floor trusses in high volumes with variable web geometry. Another primary feature is enhanced safety through automation which eliminates the need to open the saw motor cabinets other than for periodic service. The 500 CA includes automation for all blades, including the fixed cut-off blade for minimal waste. Lumber infeed speed is variable up to sixty (60) boards per minute, while the powered carriage utilizes rack and pinion drive with airlock for set accuracy throughout the production run. Your operator will easily download batches to the 500 CA saw from your design software via an ethernet connection to a MS Windows 10 industrial PC with a 17″ monitor housed in a stand-alone console. If you frequently batch floor web cutting, and if enhanced safety with increased productivity are a concern, then an automated Monet FWA 500 CA may be the right selection for you. Mofe information Here

Carl Villella, CLFP President, Acceptance Leasing & Financing Service

Playing the Interest Rate Game

At the time this article was being written, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the inflation rate for June fell to 3%. Given the stubborn nature of inflation over the past year, the 3% figure was a welcome surprise. Economists and the business community in general already began asking, “Is 3% inflation low enough to lower interest rates?”

It’s well known that the Fed is targeting a 2% inflation rate for the economy. But the uneven yet steady decline of inflation points to a possible lowering of rates by the end of summer.

If you are standing on the sidelines, waiting for rates to drop before you decide to finance, you may want to reconsider your strategy.

At the end of 2023, economists were predicting a series of rate cuts in 2024. July has come and gone, and we are still waiting for the first one. Secondly, a Fed Funds rate cut of 25 basis points does not translate into a 25-basis point rate cut for banks and other funders. Thirdly, and most important to you, is that a rate cut may not deliver a substantial savings for you.

Looking back over the recent rate increase, the monthly payment for a premium client financing $50K for a five-year term showed a $29 increase in the monthly payment. If rates decline in the same way, you can see that the savings are not worth holding off improvements and the additional sales that new or used equipment can generate.

We invite you to contact us at 412 262-3225 to discuss your particular situation. We offer various types of financing programs that suit all types of borrowers and business scenarios.

We are Acceptance Leasing and Financing Service, Inc. We were established in 1992, which puts us in our 32nd year of business. We pride ourselves on our Certified Leasing and Financing Professional designation. We are a member of SBCA and a frequent attendee of the BCMC tradeshows. We can provide financing for any new and, regardless of age, used equipment.

•

• Foot Pedal Operation

• Dust Outlet (excludes dust collector)

• 2015 TigerStop 24' Programmable Stop

• Automatic Positioning of Stop via Simple and Intuitive Controls

• Infeed/Outfeed Roller Conveyor with Stands

• Video available upon request $16,900 FOB WI Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

Safety Speed Manufacturing Model 7400 XL Panel Saw

DO SOMETHING BRILLIANT WITHOUT HAVING TO BANG YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL.

Stacking wall panels at the end of your production line can be a real labor-intensive and safety-challenging task. But it doesn’t have to be now, thanks to ProStack . This innovative wall panel stacker literally stacks from the bottom up, reducing awkward overhead lifting & placement, and the risk of head injury. Plus, ProStack frees up at least one worker to return more productively to your core task—building wall panels. Enhanced worker safety and productivity is what ProStack is all about.

ProStack

By: DAK Automation

Setup and installation is easy too, without the need for complex training or disruption to workflow. So, free up your team to do what they do best, and you need to do most, and let ProStack stack your wall panels instead. Contact us to learn more today. For a ProStack demonstration video, scan the QR code below.

New Monet DeSawyer ESC (Servo Controlled) Component Saw

Monet DeSauw model Desawyer ESC enhanced servo-controlled ( ESC) component saw with touch screen user interface with backup mechanical controls. Includes three operating modes: Auto (download setups from LAN or USB), Semi-auto (touch screen setup entry), and Manual (backup push-button switches for powering all movements). Includes over-travel protection, comprehensive setup screens, auto sequencing, auto-calibration and pneumatic brakes on all five () blades. One (1) 30” blade and four (4) 16” blades. Manual cut limits are 18” min., 11” min. square edge blocks, 20’ max cut. Belt under-saw waste conveyor. Voltage: 480 volt/3 phase/60 Amp. Air: 50 PSI at 5 CFM. One-year warranty included. Can be paired with a model PD-6 lumber feed system at an additional cost. Heavy duty 80 RIV chain feed system. 16’ wide x 20’ long x 36” deck height. Transfers 3’ to 20’ lumber. Includes auto-feed control, foot pedal override, forward & reverse, variable speed control with HD double-bearing construction. Other additional-cost options include, inkjet marking, label printing, backside screen display, spare blades and incline scrap conveyor.

$349,900 FOB MO

ACER INC

· Simplified Re-Design

· Robust low maintenance

· No upper hold downs

· Electronic braking

· Auto feeding lumber

· Holds calibration

· Out cuts any linear saw

· Cut-by-Truss or Batch cut

• 3 3/8" Maximum Thickness

• 13 1/2" Maximum Distance from Rip Fence to Outer Saw

• 100 HP Arbor Motor

• 2 HP Feed Motor

• 7 1/2 HP Dust Collector

• 480 Volt / 3 Phase

• Waste Conveyor with Short Incline $35,000 NOW $21,900 FOB MN Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

2005 PCS / MiTek Twin Axis Sheathing Saw 2005 PCS/MiTek Twin Axis sheathing saw: Cuts X and Y axis simultaneously in one pass through the saw. Cuts up to 1″ thick, wood sheathing material, minimum width 3″. Fully enclosed to reduce noise, dust, and improve operator safety; automated via downloaded sheathing cutting files from wall design software. Includes 8 foot long idler infeed conveyor and outfeed conveyor with pop-up skate wheels, (1) spare blade and all available spare parts. 220v/440v, 3phase electrical saw, 120v, 1 phase electrical PC. 100 PSI at 14 CFM air required.

$17,991 NOW $11,950 FOB VA Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

•

• 4" Maximum Thickness (when using 18" Blade)

• 48" Throat

• Adjustable Rip Fence

• Overhead Holddown

• Automatic Chain Oiler

• Dust Outlets $10,500 FOB MI

Custom 3-Arm Infeed Decks

Two custom-built powered infeed decks, 3-arms each, 12′ x 12′ footprint each, touchpad controls and chain conveyors. One deck has a 5 HP drive and the other has a 10 HP drive. 480 volt, 3-phase electrical required.

10 HP price is $7,993 & the 5 HP price is $6,993. Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

2021 Oliver Upcut Saw with 16' TigerStop

• Oliver Model 5025.002 Upcut Saw

• 7.5 HP / 230 Volt - 3 Phase

• 18" Blade (4" x 9", 2" x 12" Capacity)

• Foot Pedal Control

• Open Interface to TigerStop (SET)

• 16' TigerStop (TS16) with 18' Roller Table (TABR16)

• Saw Attachment Plate (SAP)

$19,900 NOW $18,900 FOB TX Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

2017 Vekta S5 Linear Saw (T1)

Requires upgrade of Windows 7 and upgrade of Vekta software to their version 14. Vekta estimates repairs of approximately $60k to $70k are necessary. OEM available to perform repairs at the Vekta facility in MN. 480 volt, 3 phase, 50 Amp electrical required at saw. 120 volt, 1 phase electrical required for computer. 14.2 CFM at 100 PSI air required.

$78,887 FOB NM

Economy Still Signaling Growth at Mid-Year But Not Among All Sectors

By The Lesko Financial Services Team

The U.S. economy at mid-year continued to show signs of continued resilience and growth— even if such strength remains uneven throughout all sectors.

The labor market consistently added jobs in the second quarter but has not kept up with expectations and, more recently, showed signs of slowing. The report for June showed the U.S. added 206,000 jobs but that number was heavily boosted by government hiring. In addition, there were downward revisions to the job numbers for April and May, lowering the 3-month job growth average to 177,000, the slowest pace since January 2021. The unemployment rate also ticked up in June—a further signal that job growth may be slowing.

Inflation numbers for May and June showed a return to a downward trend after increasing unexpectedly at the end of Quarter 1. The Federal Reserve viewed this as what chair Jerome Powell called “progress” but it has not been enough for the Fed to announce a definite date for interest rate cuts.

The stock market is up for the year to date with the S&P 500 reaching historic highs on heavy gains in technology. In June, Amazon joined Google’s parent Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple and chip maker Nvidia as part of the exclusive $2 trillion club. Also in June, Nvidia hit $3 trillion and briefly became the most valuable company on Wall Street.

Third Quarter and Beyond

Interest rates: Hopes for as many as three interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year faded with the uptick in prices in March. The economic mood turned pessimistic as some analysts began to foresee the possibility of another interest rate hike.

But optimism had returned by summer as prices began to ease and the Fed left rates unchanged for the seventh consecutive time in mid-June. Many Fed-watchers now believe the Fed will leave rates alone at its end-of-July meeting and are predicting a rate cut in September.

Consumer sentiment: One additional sign the economy may be cooling is the slowing of consumer sentiment, which had been robust and was responsible for GDP growth earlier this year.

A huge demand in travel and leisure for the summer season may help extend the willingness to spend. But recent surveys reveal households are still feeling inflation fatigue on day-to-day essentials, even if post-Covid demand for fun and vacations lingers.

Stock market: Stocks are expected to continue to remain volatile throughout the rest of this year. Stocks are also likely to continue to be sensitive to global and political developments such as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and the upcoming U.S. election.

Not surprisingly, Artificial Intelligence technology and obesity drugs have been responsible for much of the buzz and the upward trend on Wall Street, especially in the S&P 500.

Our Outlook

The latest Lesko Financial Services Investment Committee outlook remains optimistic for the economy and capital markets through the end of 2024, even if seasonality, Fed policy and uncertainty related to the U.S. presidential election lend caution to the current signals.

Signs of inflation are easing but not enough for the Fed to make significant multiple interest rate cuts this year. We anticipate one rate cut in September or December.

We note that all major indexes are positive to date with the DJIA at +3.83%, the technology-heavy S&P 500 at +14.73, and the mostly technology NASDAQ Composite at +18.98%, while the US Total Bond Market is at -3.01%. This shows that stock market returns this year haven’t been equally distributed and the largest gains have been concentrated in a handful of companies and sectors.

It’s critical to remember this when comparing your returns to what you hear from others and in the news. A diversified portfolio is still a solid strategy because it generally carries less risk than a concentrated portfolio and can help protect you when markets turn negative. Diversified portfolios also tend to generate income, regardless of market direction.

The LFS Investment Committee is anticipating that participation in the stock market rally will broaden as summer continues and as we move into fall. We also see the broader bond market becoming positive as the Fed gets nearer to cutting interest rates. We continue to recommend that most investors maintain a core diversified allocation to stocks, bonds, and cash. This may be the ideal time to review your own portfolio with your Advisor to help you stay on track with your financial goals this year. We look forward to serving you and hope you enjoy the best that summer has to offer.

2001 MiTek Peak-Up Stacker (A)

2001 MiTek peak-up, vertical truss dual stacker system Model 71300 Mechanical only system includes (2) heavy-duty drives, auto-indexing, spring assisted receiver arms, holds up to 30 trusses from 16 foot to 80 foot in length, up to 14 foot height, with 40 sec. average cycle time. System control panel (NOT included) controls two separate setups or both units for long-span trusses. Arms work in sets of four adjacent arms or all eight arms at once per side. Includes (8) lifting arms, (8) stacking arms, (2) bridge targets, and (2) stacker units. Moveable activating starts the cycling process, bundle indexes back 1 1/2″ as each truss is stacked. NO conveyors or control panel is included. (Control Panel from OEM/Mii required at approximately $8,500) 230v, 3Ph electrical required. (Can be combined with the second system listed here to create opposing stackers for a double gantry line with a common center out-feed conveyor).

$24,900 Each FOB IL

2001 MiTek Peak-Up Stacker (B)

MiTek peak-up, vertical truss dual stacker system Model 71300 Mechanical only system includes (2) heavy-duty drives, autoindexing, spring assisted receiver arms, holds up to 30 trusses from 16 foot to 80 foot in length, up to 14 foot height, with 40 sec. average cycle time. System control panel (NOT included) controls two separate setups or both units for long-span trusses. Arms work in sets of four adjacent arms or all eight arms at once per side. Includes (8) lifting arms, (8) stacking arms, (2) bridge targets, and (2) stacker units. Moveable activating starts the cycling process, bundle indexes back 1 1/2″ as each truss is stacked. NO conveyors or control panel is included. (Control Panel from OEM/Mii required at approximately $8,500) 230v, 3Ph electrical required.

Prestage Tabl

Capabilities*

Wall Heights: 7' 11 ½" to 10' 3" - 12 ' 3" - 14' 3" or 16' 3"

Wall Lengths: 16', 20' or 24'

Pre-Stage Area: 16', 20' or 24' (matches wall length)

*Subject to change without notice

Why a Prestage Framing Table?

The new field-tested Triad PreStage Framing Table, designed and built with customer input, can bring increased productivity to your panel shop.

Triad's exclusive and unique design merges a pre-layout material-staging area with a fast and efficient framing station -- into a single unit that can assist with rapid throughput in your plant.

A powerful, built-in continuous track system lifts and conveys components and material to framers and then the finished panels to your next station.

Initial customer field production, from a Texas plant, has shown an average of 3600 linear feet per day (8 hr shift) of framed walls in their facility!

Used - Metra Cut Radial Arm Saw (2x) Parts Machine

$500 – Make Offer

Eide Machinery Sales, Inc.

612-521-9193 www.eidemachinery.com

Used - 2005 Model 305 Infeed Conveyor Designed for use with all component saws. To include: Soft Start ~ Soft Stop Inverter System. Programmable load sensing; Overload / Jamb sensing shut down feature. Gear motor providing conveyor speed of 36' per minute. Forward and reversing controls for location at both ends of conveyor unit. Material capacity range - 4' through 24' lumber. Chain deck pedestals 20' long with cross bracing. Staging area at the saw independent of the live deck system. 30,000lb. Deck capacity. Call for pricing Eide Machinery Sales, Inc. 612-521-9193 www.eidemachinery.com

2007 Alpine ALS 276 Linear Saw

• Servo Controlled Single Blade Saw

• Automated Angle, Bevel & Scarf Cutting

• Motion Control Upgrade in 2014

• 7.5 HP Motor with 20" Blade

• Infeed & Outfeed Roller Tables

• 8' Auto Deck Extension (not seen in photos)

• Touch Screen Computer (does not work, currently using separate monitors)

• Ink Jet Printer

• Waste Conveyor (needs new belt)

• Recently installed New L1/L2 Motors and refurbished the L1/L2 Gearboxes

• The L1/L2 Belts should be replaced

• 0 Volt / 3 Phase

• Price is in US Dollars $62,900

We create transformative website and app experiences

Since 2006, we've been helping businesses of all kinds build their online presence. We make websites and software for the construction industry to empower companies to reach a wider customer base and engage their audiences. Companies all around the world work with us to make websites and apps that people actually want to use. Reach out to Wolf X Machina if you're a business and you want a website that actually drives results.

WOLF X MACHINA

www.wolfxmachina.com info@wolfxmachina.com

Alpine Floormaster floor truss machine with plate storage rack, endeject configuration, builtin splicer option and built-in camber. Tableguided gantry head (no rail) has 10 HP drive and double-80 LB chain. Builds floor trusses from 12″ to 24″ depths, to 40-ft long. Currently operated as a single-side machine, B-side requires pneumatic repairs to activate flip option, pop-up ejection, and clamping function. 460 volt, 3 phase electrical required.

$64,997 FOB OH

www.woodtechsystems.com

This first-of-its-kind G-Joist offers unique parallel chord options

• Can use bottom OR top chord support

• Manufacture as a custom joist, chase opening, and

• manufacture as fixed length, arbitrary cut, and support

• Can be cut arbitrarily AND trimmed on one OR both ends

• No hanger required when top chord support

• Can be configured with large chase openings

• No proof loading required

By Thomas McAnally TheJobLine.com

IWhat Time is It?

f you are production oriented, I’m betting that you have frequently looked at your watch, phone, or computer to see what time it was. Time is a precious commodity, especially when you are supporting production. When I was a kid, first starting out in manufacturing as a sweeper, and came in late, the Production Manager looked at his watch and said, “You are late.” I was late, but only by five minutes. Surely, he couldn’t be upset over my arrival’s slight deviation. I was about to complain that I wasn’t that late when he raised his hand and said, “Production is like a train station. Does it really matter if you are five minutes early or five minutes late? You’re damn right it matters. You, young man, are important to my plan. When you are late, my plan is late. I plan to get [insert metric here] done today, and now I am off to a late start. You may only be a sweeper in your mind, but to me, you matter. If not, I wouldn’t have hired you.”

That conversation has stuck with me over the years. Why? Because he not only illustrated the importance of time but also made me feel like I was a part of something. He was the leader, and I was part of the team. He needed me, and that made me feel like I was part of something bigger than my time card. From that point on, I was at least five minutes early and worked as hard as possible to show him he was right to put his faith in me. Be it as a sweeper, builder, electrician, plumber, or the floater who could do any job in the plant, wherever he needed to catch up, I was the guy he put in there. For me, it was a challenge to be the best. For him, I was still an important cog in the machine, albeit maybe a little more useful as I grew up.

I came to work early every day, hoping the production manager had a special project he needed me to do. One day, he told me he was leaving for a better job, and I was devastated. How would our team operate without him? The day came when he was gone, and a new production manager took his place. It wasn’t the same. The new guy didn’t make us feel important to the overall effort. You were there to do a job, and he was going to make sure you did it, or else. People didn’t feel needed or motivated beyond their paycheck. Pride became indifference, and productivity was measured in hours worked, usually including a lot of overtime, not product produced efficiently. When I had a chance to leave for a better job, I took it, as did many others

Although it was only the first five years of my career in manufacturing, it has made a big impression on me. As I progressed through purchasing, engineering, and plant/general management, I’ve always tried to be like my first production manager. It has made me who I was as a multiplant GM, and even today as a Recruiter. I want my candidates to feel needed and valued. I try only to work with employers who have the same values, who incidentally also seem to be the ones with better success measured in profits, productivity, and retention. It’s only my story, one story, but in reflection, I’d say I was lucky that my first job was working for the best production manager in the industry.

2007 Robbins Side-Eject Roof Truss Gantry

2007 Robbins roof truss gantry, side-eject with (2) gantry heads. Both heads have 30 inch diameter rolls and pendant controls. One gantry requires a new sprocket. 110-ft working length, 124-ft overall length. Includes (16) slotted steel top tables, with skatewheel ejectors, (2) electrical festoon cords for gantry heads, (2) gantry head masts, (1) 120′ powered transfer conveyor, (11) powered roller conveyors, (14) idler roller conveyors, (4) extra tables and all available floor-to-table mounting plates. Decommissioned in October of 2023. 480 volt, 3 phase electrical required.

$263,997 FOB QC

We’ve got a number of products available now – saws, tables, wall assembly and roof truss assembly machines. Plus, we’ve got some of our popular Rolsplicer and Automated Apollo Saws, which can be delivered soon.*

*Subject to availability

TRUSS EQUIPMENT

Wescana Vertical Truss Stacker

• 4 Lifting Arms Stack Trusses from 20' to 60' Spans (2 HP / 3 Phase)

• Stacking Capacity of 30 Trusses with Indexing for Each Truss Stacked

• 28 Second Cycle Time

• Automatic Truss Sensors to Activate Lifting Arms

• PLC Controlled

• 7" Touch Screen User Interface

• Dual, Manual & Automated Electric Controls

• 70' Powered Outside Conveyor (1 HP / 3 Phase)

Call for Price - FOB Alberta Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

Two C-Clamp Presses with Unistrut Jig Table

• Hydro-Air Mark-8 Mono Press (C-Clamp, Hydraulic Power Unit, Boom Assembly & Trolley)

• Panel Clip TK C-Clamp Press (C-Clamp, Hydraulic Power Unit, Boom Assembly & Trolley)

• Unistrut Jig Table/Stands (up to 80' long trusses)

• Electric Feed Rail

• Overhead Steel Beam

• Price is in US Dollars

$20,900 FOB MB Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

2005 MiTek Roof Truss Finish Roller Press

visit: www.thejobline.com email: twm@thejobline.com

2005 MiTek roof truss finish roller press, model #68300-460V, 14′ finish roller with 24″ diameter rolls, 1″ wall thickness, 4” continuous shaft, with 4 internal baffles. 10 HP soft-start drive system, 100 lb. chain, central grease fittings, H.D. spherical bearings, variable-speed push button controls, with one safety bar and one e-stop. 460v, 3 phase, 20 Amp electrical required. $39,997 NOW $31,997 FOB SC Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

WESCANA

ROLLER GANTRY SYSTEM

• Trackless Roller Gantry System

• 24" Diameter x 1" Wall x 14' Long Gantry Roller

• 7.5 HP / 3 Phase Gear Motor with Safety Brake

• Contr olled Motor Drive System for Start & Stop

• Safety Barrier & Electric Eyes

• Front & Rear Emergency Shut Off Bar

• Joystick Operation Control

• Ride-On Platform at Table Height

• 2' per Second Travel Speed

• Continuous 3/4" Steel Slotted Top Table

• Manual Roof Jig Hardware

• Ejectors for Side or End Eject

• 2 Park Sections

• Optional W izard Ready Tables, Transfer Rollers, Exiting Conveyor, Finish Roller & Outside Conveyor

• (2) 24" Diameter x 14' Long Rollers

• 3 1/2" Diameter Shafts with Baffles

• Dual 5 HP / 3 Phase Gear Motors

• Front & Rear Emergency Shut Off Bar

• Safety Barriers & Electric Eyes

• Controlled Motor Drive System for Start & Stop

• Running Amber Beacon

• Reversing Red Beacon & Buzzer

• Emergency Stop Control Module

• Taper-Lock Sprockets

• S ealed Flanged Roller Bearings

• Revesing Magnetic Starter

• 2' per Second Travel Speed

Jacks & Small Trusses!

Retrofit your tables for Jack and small truss production, a growing percentage of what you do! The New ‘Double Jack Retrofit’ allows you to double your production by operating on both sides of the table, allowing assemblers to quickly build four or more trusses in half the space. Unlike conventional setups that demand longer lines, this retrofit optimizes floor space by consolidating jack production on a shorter, standalone workstation or retrofit the end of your existing line.

bring the best together!

Retrofitted Standalone MiTek Tables with 4 Jack Setups

2018 Clark Mini Barn Press

2018 Clark Mini Barn Press, builds rigid frames for sheds from 8 foot to 14 foot spans, to 3′-6″ height. Builds mansard and rafter shapes. Includes (5) track mounted heads with 8″ x 10″ platens, material clamps, 10 HP hydraulic power unit with manifold for air and fluid, ball valve controls, mounting track and all available jigging. 460 volt, 3 phase electrical required.

$19,997 FOB TX Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

Hydro-Air Mark 8 Truss Assembly System

2 Each - Mark-8 Mono-Presses (C-Clamp, Hydraulic Power Unit, Boom Assembly & Trolley)

1 Each - Mark-8 Mono-Press (working condition unknown)

25 Ton Press with 9" x 16 1/2" Platen Electric Feed Rail

4 Each - Partial Mark-8 Mono-Presses (For Parts - No C-Clamp)

16 Each - Magnetic Pedestals with Jig Hardware

48 Each - Partial Pedestals (missing electrical boxes and/or magnets)

44 Each - Pedestal Frames Only Steel Floor: 5/8" x 13' x 90'

Steel I-Beams & Columns to Support Mark8 Presses

Spare Parts

$48,000 NOW $40,000 FOB AZ Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

2007 Clark Industries

Horizontal Truss Stacker

Model HVS, Two Unit, 2-Zone, 14’ Horzontal Stacking System. Two lifting units (one master and one slave) with integral electrics. A truss sensing system consisting of adjustable laser sensors mounted on slide rails. One indoor electric control enclosure & panel w/PLC and manual controls. A stacker-conveyor interface package comprised of (1) mounted 3-push button enclosure and (1) remotely mounted 2-push button enclosure (pause/ emergncy stop). Hand-held Wampfler Remote Control System. 8 stacking rails and 4 stripping posts. Stack 1 5/8” thick x 14’ tall trusses up to 30 high. Stack a truss in approximately 40 seconds (cycle time). Stack up to 55’ or longer trusses on each side of the conveyor with minor assistance for truss sag, shorter lengths can be stacked unassisted. Excludes 77’ Walk Through Conveyor System. Two systems available at $25,000 NOW $19,900 Each. FOB NE. Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

WESCANA FLOOR TRUSS MACHINE

• 7' x 40' Table with 3/4" Steel Table Top

• Two 5' Park Sections

• Truss Depths from 12" to 26"

• Truss Flip-Over Arms

• Side or End Ejectors

• Bui lt-In Camber for Clamping on Both Sides

• Air Cylinders Under Table

• 2 Contr ol Valves for Clamping

• 1 Contr ol Valve for FlipOver Arms

• 1 Control Vlave for Ejectors

• 24" Diameter x 1" Wall Thickness Roller

• 10 HP / 3 Phase Gear Motor

• Front & Rear Emergency Shut-Off Bars

• Joystick Control

• 2' per Second Travel Speed

EMSI Field Repair Press

EMSI 10 Ton Field Repair Truss Press System. Complete with: 1/2 HP, 115 Volt, 50/60 Cycle Universal Motor – Operates at voltage as low as 60 volts. 10,000 PSI

Portable Power Pack with Two Speed Operation – 200 cu in/min @ 0–200 psi, 20 cu in/min @ 200–10,000 psi and Externally Adjustable Relief Valve (unit weight 55 lbs.). C-Clamp Assembly with 8" Maximum Reach, 4" x 5" Pressing Platen (optional platen available for 4” x 2”). Independent 10 Ton Hydraulic Cylinder. 10’ Hydraulic Hose Assembly with Quick Disconnect Coupling. Handle with 24 Volt Remote Electrical Pendant. Call for Price Eide Machinery Sales, Inc. 612-521-9193 www.eidemachinery.com

• 14' Long x 4" or 5" (Inside Diameter) Schedule 40 Pipe

• Tube Steel Stands (7" Height Adjustment - Height to be Specified)

• 4 Bolt Flange Bearings

• Idle and Motorized Rollers

• 1/4 HP Motors (240/480 Volt-3 Phase) with Controls

• 1" and 1 1/4" Cold Rolled 24" Shafts Baffled

• 6 to 8 Week Delivery

Design Connections Making the Most of Mass Timber

Undoubtedly you’ve seen many articles talking about mass timber, but you may not be very familiar with what products are included and some of their applications. In speaking with some light-frame component manufacturers over recent years, I have heard many of them mention that they are, or have considered, pursuing entry into the mass timber market, or that they have been approached to provide mass timber components to their existing clients.

First, it might be worthwhile to discuss what products are included within the mass timber world:

• Glulam, the granddaddy of mass timber products, has been in widespread use for approximately 100 years. Glulam beams and columns are made by stacking and gluing laminations of 2x_ lumber to produce member sections up to 7’ deep, and in excess of 130’ long. They have been commonly used in concealed, purely structural applications as well as more frequently exposed to show off the beauty of the wood. Exposed uses continue to be one of the most attractive (no pun intended) reasons for the use of all mass timber products, but there are compelling reasons for using mass timber as a purely structural product.

• Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is relatively new, first being used in Europe in the early 1990s, and in North America in the early 2000s. CLT is made by stacking layers of lumber, generally 2x4, in alternating directions to create panels from 4 ½” to 12” thick, with widths of around 10’ and lengths up to 50’ or more. These panels can be used for walls, floors, or roofs. It might be easiest to think of them as being the wood version of tilt-up concrete or core slab.

• Nail Laminated Timber (NLT) and Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT) are similar products made up of dimensional lumber stacked side by side on edge and fastened with either nails or hardwood dowels. Either can be used for walls or roofs.

At first glance, producing mass timber might seem like a natural and attractive extension to a component manufacturers business:

• It is still wood, right? Just generally larger pieces going to site.

• Individual projects can often be well into the 8-figure range for supply and install contracts.

• The mass timber industry is poised for tremendous growth with many sources suggesting growth to well more than $3BN in North America by 2030, triple the current market of approximately $1BN.

• Projects either recently completed or on the books range from 250,000+ square foot office spaces to 20+ story residential buildings.

So, why wouldn’t you want to jump into what looks to be a lucrative, growing market?

Cost of entry is likely the biggest reason. Producing glulam and CLT requires specialized and incredibly expensive equipment. Picture the size of press required to produce a CLT panel 10’ wide and 50’ long. Think about the computerized milling equipment required to shape the raw blanks into ready-to-install panels with 1/16” tolerances, complete with precision cuts, slots, predrilled holes for connections, etc. And then think about the size of the building required to house this equipment. Then you are going to need the ability to sand and finish those panels, especially for exposed applications.

Do you think that fancy inline saw you’ve been considering buying has a hefty price tag? Or maybe you’ve been thinking about a new truss table with automated pucks to speed up your fabrication. Add the cost of the two of those together and multiply that by twenty or more and you might be in the ballpark of getting a modest mass timber operation underway

The other significant consideration is the need for specialized designers. All that fancy equipment needed to precision machine your mass timber is driven by 3D CAD models. Think about the level of sophistication that would be required if you had to detail where every nail was going to be placed in a house and you will have some idea of the level of detail required.

It may be that the mass timber business is right for your company, but never think that it could be an extension to your existing light-frame wood business. I believe that mass timber is an exciting product, with great environmental benefits, and I’m excited to watch as it continues to evolve. But remember, it is a world of its own, and must be thought of as such.

Do you agree? Please share your thoughts with me by contacting me at secord@thejobline.com

If you want help finding that next perfect component designer or design job in Canada, please contact me. If your work is in the mass timber world anywhere in North America, I’d love to talk to you about connecting you to that next great job or candidate. You can reach me at secord@thejobline.com, or 800-289-5627 ext. 2. I’m also happy to engage at: LinkedIn.com/in/geordiesecord. www.thejobline.com

800-289-5627

BCE-MASTER

20' TO 40' iN LENGTHS AT YOUR REQUEST

Element Equipment

a brand manufactured by GOW Group Inc.

Experience the unparalleled expertise of our building components equipment manufacturing company, delivering top quality equipment built with the customer's needs in mind. SCAN HERE OR CONTACT US FOR

TruStance Portable Field Repair Press

This is the first, self-contained, truly portable FRP unit used to press metal truss plates into dimensional lumber at virtually any location. Wood component (roof and floor truss) manufacturers, as well as builders, frequently require a tool to repair metal plate connected, wood truss components. The complete unit is mounted to a wagon built from square tubular steel. Extremely compact at only 28” wide and about 32” long the wagon features four wheels on soft-rubber solid tires, and a steering axle on the front with a handle that makes the unit easily maneuverable. The wagon contains the hydraulic power unit and an area for a portable gas generator. A rack in the back securely stores the C clamp, a standard 25′ hydraulic hose, and an electric power-supply cable. The clamp is manufactured from T1 steel, cut into a C-shape with a steel tube welded to the front that securely holds the hydraulic cylinder. Pressing is easily performed with a 4×4 magnetized steel platen that holds and presses the truss connecter plates. The C-clamp that weighs less than 30 pounds, features a throat that opens to 4-1/2” inches to accept either 4 x 2 or 2 x 4 lumber. It has a push on and release off switch to cycle the unit. A 10,000-psi electric-over-hydraulic power unit pumps hydraulic fluid through a 10,000-psi hose to activate a 10-ton hydraulic cylinder with a 3.9 inch stroke. The unit can be powered by 120v electric power or an optional 120v, 2200-amp, gasoline powered generator, which can also act as a portable power supply out in the field for other single-phase equipment.

• Pressing Capability: 4.5” throat opening presses 2×4 through 4×2, includes a standard 25-foot, HD 10,000 PSI hose, with a 10 TON, 4”x4” magnetized pressing plates

• Electric/Hydraulic: SPX Hydraulic Technologies – Rockford, IL USA 10,000 PSI / 700 BAR. 10 ton pressing capability

• Power Source: 110V Dual Power via outlet plug in and/or optional gas-powered inverter generator at an additional price. Optional generator is a Honda EB 2200i Industrial, inverter motor, manual start, GFCI Protected,120 VAC at an additional cost of $1,450.00.

• Warranty: One year from date of purchase on manufactured unit, OEM warranties on hydraulic and gas motor.

$9,779 FOB MT

New House of Design Model AMD Pre-Plating Station

The House of Design AMD (Automated Material Delivery) pre-plating station is the heart of the automation configuration for roof or floor trusses. There are two robot arms enclosed within a 12 x 18-ft footprint, driven by your truss design software working in conjunction with the House of Design software, to receive cut material in-line and apply plates in the correct size and orientation. From this pre-plating station, there are many levels of automation that can be added to the station to further automate your truss assembly tables, or you can choose to deliver the completed boards manually. This station is operated by one person. You can choose to apply just the top plates to boards, or apply just chords or webs. Automation options include:

• Buf fer (conveyors) taking the plated material to the correct truss setup area for manual placement.

• Buffer (conveyors) taking the plated material to the correct truss setup area for automated placement.

• Both of these buffer options will work with existing roof or floor tables or in conjunction with a new roof table.

765-751-9990

Equipment Solutions for the Offsite Construction Industry

X-COMBI | Complete Assembly Machine

A complete working station for the production of timber frame construction walls.

• Full PC control with two 19” touchscreens

• Automatic download from drawing software for interactive display of panel assembly framing

• Efficient and compact design, capable of manufacturing up to 200 prefabricated houses per year

Framing Cladding Nailing

Stapling Drilling Routing Application of Breather Paper Nailing of Batten Gluing

X-FLOC | Insulation Blowing Machine System

A fully automatic system used to fill prefabricated wall panels with cellulose, wood fibre, glass/rock wool, as well as composite materials.

• Full PC control with a 17” touchscreen

• Wall panel dimensions set in PLC to automatically calculate volume of material needed to fill cavity

• Compatible with all insulation materials available on the market

Insulating Nailing Stapling Routing Application of Breather Paper Nailing & Stapling of Battens

Building Trust. Creating Together.

Work Smar ter

That'sallthetimeittakes todrillstudsforrunningRomexorotherelectricalwireinthewallpanels

Motor: HeavyDuty5HP-3phase-220vor440v(Pleasespecifywhenordering)

MotorcarriagebearingandspindleassemblymountedonBlanchardgroundsteelplate

LinealmotionishardenedandgroundVbearingsandrails

BlockSizes: 2x4through2x12infiniteheightsettingtocenter

AirSupply: 100psi10CFM

Drills: 2wing3/4'”CarbideTippedcanaccommodatesmallerorlarger

Spindles: AlloySteelpolishedandgroundprecisionshafting

Frame: 2"SteelWithPowderCoatFinish

Covers: 10Gauge(1/8"Thick)Aluminumremovable

Dimensions: Height-60inches,Width-33inches,Depth-33inches

Shippingweight: 750lbs.-(Includingcrate)

MADEINAMERICABYAMERICANS

The Industry-Leading Manufacturer of Panelized Wall Panel & Floor Cassette Equipment.

The Platinum Series Automated Sheathing Station is the most automated sheathing station that Panels Plus offers and reduces the amount of time an operator needs to be hands-on during the sheathing process. This sheathing station is driven using MiTek Software and completely fastens sheathing to studs, blocking, headers, and sill plates to ensure quality panels every time. This model can be a stand-alone unit, or integrated into a larger system. Various sizes and configurations are available.

2007 VIKING 16' X 12' SQUARING TABLE WITH SHEATHING BRIDGE

• 16' x 12' Squaring Table with Powered Width Adjustment & Powered Chain Conveyor

• Wall Panel Lengths up to 16', Wall Panel Heights from 4'-0" to 12'-2"

• Swing Gates at Both Ends of Squaring Table

• Automated Field & Edge Nailing Driving by Panel Pro Event Software & Your Programmed Nailing Patterns

• Simple Touchscreen Controls

• 2 Tool Carriages for Sheathing Nailing with Tilt Function for Seams

• 2 Paslode Nail Guns with High Load Coil Tray

• Auto Sheathing Bridge Return

• Includes 4 Pallets of Magnum Coil Nails (2 3/8 x .113)

• 480 Volt / 3 Phase

$29,900 FOB KS. Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

2021 Triad Router Bridge & Portion of V-Track

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Includes a series of color-coded locator pins at 16", 19.2 and 24" on-center spacing and clamping with squaring feature including foot pedal control. The locators individually flip down if a joist comes out on top of them. After the floor is complete and unclamped, the floor section can be raised up on skate-wheel conveyors and rolled out or lifted off the table using an overhead crane. Table height is 24.5", OAL 45.5 ft, OAW 14.5 ft. 120 volt, 1 phase, 15 Amp electrical required. 90 to 120 PSIG at 15 CFM air required.

By Tuomo Poutanen, PhD Professor, Patent Attorney

Glued Trussed Floor Joists

In this publication, I reviewed glued parallel chord truss joists (or glued-joint open web wood trusses) in the August 2021 issue and glued roof trusses in the April 2023 issue. This article focuses on parallel chord glued trussed floor joists utilizing the new G-technology, https://www.gjoist.com/.

G-Joist has some unique patented features, web fingers extending completely through the chord, as shown in the image. This web-chord interface maximizes the glue area by utilizing the entire overlapping area between the chord and web with longest web fingers exceeding 2”. The three critical failure modes in a glued truss are knot failure in the web finger, splitting failure in the web, and chord splitting along the grain. These failures are eliminated when employing the G-technology. Knot failure in the finger is prevented using large fingers, which accommodates chord knots and small web knots, while large web knots are graded off. Web and chord grains cross each other throughout the joint, reinforcing the grains against web and chord splitting analogous to the reinforcement seen in plywood. With the G-joint, only two types of failures are possible: web finger cut and glue line failure. Finger cut failure is unlikely when the webs are graded to exclude major knots. Glue line failure is also improbable due to the low mean glue line shear stress of 70–100 psi (0.5–0.7 N/mm²). By keeping all webs identical, and with no verticals, all joints are similar, ensuring uniform resistance throughout the joist. The truss can maintain structural integrity even when installed upside down.

Joint routing is done using a saw blade at two blade inclinations to create tapering fingers, as shown in the figure. This two-step routing process is somewhat slow, but it offers multiple advantages: the cutting surfaces are ideal for adhesive bonding, maintenance of the saw blades is inexpensive and simple, the saw blade works well even with knotty timber, the cost of the saw blade is low, and when assembled, there are no open routings, water pockets, or cavities.

The web-chord interface (WCI) joint behavior is similar to, and as reliable as, the web-flange interface (WFI) commonly employed in the manufacture of wood I-joists. The historical data and low coefficient of variation (COV) of this technology eliminates the need to proof test each component, requiring only intermittent random testing.

Any adhesive approved for structural applications can be used. In the Finnish pilot production https://tk-palkki.fi/, a one-component PUR adhesive is utilized. Although this adhesive is somewhat costly, the expense is negligible at +/- 2% of the overall cost of the finished product. Moreover, this adhesive is easily employed and forgiving of voids, moisture, and temperature variations.

The G-Joist truss can be made using either a single-finger or a two-finger web end joint. The robust truss, with 2x4 (1-1/2” x 3-1/2”) chords and 1x3 (1” x 2-1/2”) webs, employs the two-finger web end. The lighter truss, with 2x3 (1-1/2” x 2-1/2”) chords and 1x3 (3/4” x 2-1/2”) webs, employs the single finger per web end. The web joints (node points) are spaced 24” apart. The figure below shows the basic truss design.

These trusses can be cut arbitrarily and installed either top chord bearing or bottom chord bearing. If the truss is cut anywhere other than a node point, a reinforcement is needed. In the center of the truss span, one or two webs may be removed to create a trapezoidal chase opening (…44”*free depth*…18”). In this middle section where shear forces are minimal, the node points may be more than 24” apart (depending on top chord loading) creating an adaptation zone that allows both ends to match node points without requiring reinforcements.

Top chord bearing

Joists are normally bottom chord bearing (BCB), as top chord bearing (TCB) is more expensive, but top chord bearing is a growing trend. In Finland, metal web joists are widely applied and virtually all these joists are supported at the upper chord, though these joists, as well as steel connector plated joists, have limited resistance when supported this way. In these joists, the upper chord acts as an overhang on the support, inducing moment and shear stresses. In contrast, the G-Joist’s web grips the chord above the support, creating an ideal truss joint: web-support-chord. This design prevents the chord from being cantilevered, thereby eliminating moment and shear stresses. All laboratory tests for the G-Joist are conducted using this support option and the design values are based on this support option. Using steel girder hangers adding considerable material and labor costs that can be reduced. In wall support applications, multiple advantages are realized: a rim board is not needed, building wrap or membranes can be installed reliably, and building envelope forces can be transferred more simply and reliably between the upper and lower walls. Some builders in Finland have decided to use only TCB trusses for their floors. This figure shows the upper chord support of the G-Joist, but the joist can be turned upside down and installed with the bottom chord bearing and the top chord cut back and attached to a ledger on the inside face of the upper wall. The load bearing chord may protrude into the wall, no reinforcements are needed. These options again create a superior thermal and structural diaphragm design.

Trimming

The truss can be made with a trimmable insert creating an I-joist at one or both ends. This configuration is straightforward if only bottom chord support is used. I’m also currently developing a detail allowing for either bottom or top chord arbitrary trim-ability.

Cutting

The G-Joist is the only truss that can be cut arbitrarily, thanks to two unique properties. First, every joint is reliable and strong, allowing any joint to carry the nominal load regardless of where the truss is cut. Second, chord splitting is not possible, which allows for easy and low-cost reinforcement. For simplicity, the reinforcement is uniform and valid for all cases, achieved by nailing plywood or OSB reinforcement to the chords on both sides using 3” nails 1” apart along the chord. The sheet must overlap at least one node point, meaning sheet length is 24” and depth matches the joist depth. In the upper chord support, a steel rail extending above the support is applied.

Staircase aperture

G-technology enables a new realization for staircase openings. The flush beams are inserted into the cut trusses and extended to the girder support trusses, as shown in the next figure. This detail brings multiple advantages. The opening can have any shape, including a circle. The cut joists can cantilever beyond the support beams allowing them to be arbitrarily trimmed. Custom engineering would not be needed as standard design details can be established to cover most cases. Since all trusses are uniform, ease of construction with low costs are realized even in complex cases.

Ecology, material, and flexibility efficiency

In some markets, green design with ecological considerations is an essential criterion for selecting materials and structures. Wood stands out as a superior material, with sawn wood being the best structural choice. Glued trusses have only about 15% higher CO2 emissions than normal sawn lumber, whereas glulam has about double the emissions, LVL about four times, and steel and concrete more than ten times the emissions. The truss is the most effective structural pattern for floors and roofs. It is also highly flexible, offering crosswise openings for MEP and girders. In addition, G-Joists can be supported at both the bottom and top chords.

Licensing and business opportunities

The G-technology can be introduced in the market in three ways:

1. Custom manufacturing

2. Semi-commodity manufacturing for distribution and stocking dealer standard lengths with a trimmable ends option,

3. Commodity manufacturing with stock lengths like I-joists.

Custom manufacturing

The single web row along the joist allows for customization in length, support type (lower or upper), and a chase opening in the middle without requiring reinforcements. The joist can be supported on a flush girder with full depth of the free space between chords fixed inside the joist, as webs can be spaced apart to accommodate girder width. If the joist has more than two supports, reinforcement may be needed, typically one sheet nailed to the chords and webs. The robust joist, with a chord width of at least 3-1/2”, may have two web rows, as shown in the figure. The web spacing is determined by resistance or opening requirements, meaning a specific truss pattern is not necessary. For example, an X web pattern can be used to create a large chase opening anywhere along the joist. This design allows the joist to have multiple supports without requiring reinforcement. Double webs at joist ends or point loads provide high resistance, making the overall structure very strong. Such a joist can replace robust girders like glulam, offering crosswise openings with typically less timber volume, lower depth, and the option for upper support.

Semi-commodity manufacturing

Semi-commodity manufacturing for standard length can be realized in various ways. The trimming option can be applied to one or both ends, and support can be provided at the bottom only or at both the lower and upper chords. The best option appears to be trimming on one end only, with support possible at both chords and fixed upper or lower support on the other end. A trapezoid chase opening is included in the middle.

Commodity manufacturing

The G-Joist is the only truss that can be manufactured as a 40’–80’ long continuous length, then cut into multiple working joists, trimmed, and supported arbitrarily. If the cutting point does not match a node point, reinforcement is needed. Two webs can be removed in the middle span to create a chase opening.

Manufacturing versatility

A production line that produces floor joists can also manufacture roof joists for both residential and commercial buildings. This dual capability significantly increases production volume.

Capitalizing on the off-site construction trend

Roof and floor pre-assembled cassettes are a growing trend in modern markets. G-Joists are ideal for off-site cassette construction methods delivering superior economical solutions. Wooden roof joists can technically span up to 100’ with spans up to 70’ being the most competitive against alternative options.

My team and I believe that glued truss technology will eventually emerge as a market-leading alternative in the wood truss and engineered wood joist market due to:

1. Low material and manufacturing costs,

2. Large web openings for MEP and girders,

3. Reversable top or bottom chord support option,

4. Simple and low-cost stairwell framing, and various manufacturing options.

We will continue to make advancements to faciliate the use of glued trusses and look forward to expanding the market for them.

A professor at Tampere University in Finland, questions about this article may be sent to Tuomo via email: tuomo.poutanen@tuni.fi.

To achieve greater gains in your offsite construction facility, consider the powerful thinking and automated component manufacturing products offered by House of Design. Our collaborative process ensures solutions uniquely suited to your needs, all created with an eye toward maximizing efficiency, precision, quality and safety. Whether it’s roof and floor preplating, floor truss systems, wall panel openings and framing or our automated material distribution systems and solutions for modular factory builds.

You’ll discover new ways to dramatically improve your process and throughput. From fully automated lines to modular cell applications, House of Design has the right solution for you. And if we don’t, we’ll create it. Contact the informative team representing us at Wood Tech Systems today to learn more.

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With a simple push of a button you can transport subcomponents and walls easily and smoothly. The Panels Plus Power Conveyors transport subcomponents and walls from the worktable to the framer, for conveying and staging walls between tables and at the end of the line.

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Consider Panels Plus wall panel assembly equipment for manufacturers of wood or steel wall panels, floor-panels, and related framing components. Panels Plus is an employee owned, ISO certified, manufacturing company that builds state-of-the-art equipment featuring durable construction, with fit and finish second to none in the structural building component industry. The referenced base framing table allows you to assemble from 7-12 foot wall heights, at industry standard 16 foot lengths, at a working height of 29 to 32 inches. This framer design includes controls at each end of table, squaring stops and pneumatic clamping for consistent wall panel quality. Frames 2x4 or 2 x 6 walls, with color-coded, steel stud locators at 16 and 24 inches O.C. spacing. Includes pop-up skate wheels for easy transfer of completed wall frame. Framing table can be configured to receive wall framing light bars, other options include custom buildable wall heights, lengths and auto-indexing of optional 2 or 3 tool carriages.

Additionally from Panels Plus are sheathing tables with features that include foot pedal control at squaring end of table, with squaring stops, roller conveyors at both sides, single pendant controls for bridge, tool spacing at 6 inch centers with 3 inch bridge shift for offset nailing. Tool bridges can accommodate from 2 x 4 to 2 x 8 walls, with seam tilt being standard equipment Panels Plus Tool Bridges are available with single beam or dual beam design for two different tool mounts on one bridge. Squaring stations, sub-component tables, conveyors and panel lifts are also available to complete the configuration of the wall panel assembly line. Price includes factory installation and training. 50 CFM at 120 psi air. 120 or 230 volt, 1 phase electrical.

ProStack Wall Panel Tilt In-Feed Conveyor

Solving the problem of missed fasteners on exterior sheathing remains one of the primary reasons for call back charges and exceptions noted during jobsite building inspections. Clearly finding and resolving missed fasteners or “shiners” becomes mission critical before a sheathed wall panel leaves the production line. Our shop-proven, tilting conveyor makes the process safe, fast, and labor efficient. The ProStack tilt in-feed safely lifts wall segments to 45º in 5 seconds for inspection and on to 75º for easy to reach repairs. This tilt system is also excellent for installing blocking , windows, and other details in your wall panel segments. More information click here. $62,970 FOB ND

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Powered in-feed conveyor section, synchronized chain drive under top and bottom plate for open access, 5-HP, 208v, 3Ph power. Adjustable working height from 28” to 34”. 16′ length capacity.

Panels Plus LightGauge-Steel Framing Station

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2023 Panels Plus Single-Tool Sheathing Station

Featuring precision Gen. 2 controls, this system squares and sheathes wall panels ranging up to 16′ in length and up to 12′ -3″ wall height with dimensional material from 2×4 through 2×10. This late-model system includes a servodriven bridge with joy-stick controlled motion on the operator’s riding platform. The single, large-coil capacity tool carriage travels across the wall frame inserting sheathing fasteners at the spacing set by the operator. The stitchers will automatically insert fasteners through the sheathing into the top and bottom plates at your chosen spacing during the auto-return process. The bridge has 9 programmable presets for fastener spacing. Other features include: Single Beam Bridge, top and bottom plate stitchers, Operator Platform with Windows industrial touchscreen, and joystick control. Squaring table features a squaring edge, footswitch & push-button controls for telescoping side and horizontal outfeed rollers. 120 PSI at 60 CFM air.120 volt AC electrical required. Utilizes large-coil 15º wire-collated nails. (No nail tools included).

• Pop-up Skatewheel Conveyor

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By John “Buddy” Showalter, PE and Sandra Hyde, PE

T2024 IBC Significant Structural Changes — Loads

This article appears in the April 2024 issue of STRUCTURE Magazine as Part 6 of 9.

his multi-part series discusses significant structural changes to the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) by the International Code Council (ICC). This article includes an overview of changes to IBC Chapter 16 for environmental loads including snow, rain, wind, tornado, and earthquake. Only a portion of the chapter’s total number of code changes is discussed in this article. More information on the code changes can be found in the 2024 Significant Changes to the International Building Code available from ICC (Figure 1).

ASCE 7-22 and Hazard Tool

ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures includes a significant number of revisions for nearly all environmental loads. Changes throughout the 2024 IBC, most significantly in IBC Chapter 16, match changes to ASCE 7. To easily determine new environmental loads based on location and risk category, use the ASCE Hazard Tool (asce7hazardtool. online) – a free resource.

Snow Loads

New ground snow load (GSL) maps based on ASCE 7-22 are included in the IBC and are now based on the risk category of the building (Figure 2).

1608.2 Ground snow loads. The ground snow loads to be used in determining the design snow loads for roofs shall be determined in accordance with the reliability-targeted (strength-based) ground snow load values in Chapter 7 of ASCE 7 or Figures 1608.2(1) and through 1608.2( 2 4 ) for the contiguous United States and Table 1608.2 for Alaska. Sitespecific case studies shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 7 of ASCE 7 and shall be approved by the building official made in areas designated “CS”

Figure 1. More information on the code changes can be found in the 2024 Significant Changes in the IBC available from ICC.

Figure 2. Ground snow loads (psf) for Risk Category III buildings.

in Figures 1608.2(1) and 1608.2(2). Ground snow loads for sites at elevations above the limits indicated in Figures 1608.2(1) and 1608.2(2) and for all sites within the CS areas shall be approved. Ground snow load determination for such sites shall be based on an extreme value statistical analysis of data available in the vicinity of the site using a value with a 2-percent annual probability of being exceeded (50-year mean recurrence interval). Snow loads are zero for Hawaii, except in mountainous regions as approved by the building official.

Additional related technical and editorial changes throughout the IBC are not shown for brevity.

Change Significance: ASCE 7-22 includes updated national GSL datasets in electronic and map form. The new snow loads are based on 25 years of additional snow load data and updated procedures for estimating snow loads, as well as using strength design-based values. Additionally, this approach incorporates advanced spatial mapping that has reduced the number and size of case study regions in mountainous areas significantly and eliminates discontinuities in design values across state boundaries.

Given that GSL values have been provided as allowable stress loads up to this point, many provisions within the IBC and the IRC rely on allowable stress design (ASD) values. Therefore, a new Section 1608.2.1 is added to provide a conversion from the strength-based values now provided in the IBC reliability-targeted GSL maps to an equivalent ASD value. Note that the ASCE Hazard Tool also provides ASD ground snow loads.

Wind Loads

Wind speed maps and associated provisions are updated to the newly referenced ASCE 7-22 load standard.

SECTION 202 DEFINITIONS

BASIC WIND SPEED, V Basic design wind speeds The wind speed used for design, as determined in Chapter 16.

WINDBORNE DEBRIS REGION. Areas within hurricane-prone regions located:

(1.) Within 1 mile (1.61 km) of the mean high-water line where an Exposure D condition exists upwind at the waterline and the basic design wind speed, V, is 130 mph (58 m/s) or greater; or (2.) In areas where the basic design wind speed, V, is 140 mph (63 m/s) or greater.

For Risk Category II buildings and structures and Risk Category III buildings and structures, except health care facilities, the windborne debris region shall be based on Figure 1609.3.(1) 1609.3.(2). For Risk Category III health care facilities, and Risk Category IV buildings and structures and Risk Category III health care facilities, the windborne debris region shall be based on Figure 1609.3(2) 1609.3(3) and Figure 1609.3(4), respectively.

WIND DESIGN GEODATABASE. The ASCE database (version 2022-1.0) of geocoded wind speed design data. The ASCE Wind Design Geodatabase of geocoded wind speed design data is available at https://ascehazardtool.org/.

1609.3 Basic design wind speed. The basic design wind speed, V, in mph, for the determination of the wind loads shall be determined by Figures 1609.3(1) through 1609.3(12) 1609.3(4). The basic design wind speed, V, for use in the design of Risk Category I II buildings and structures shall be obtained from Figures 1609.3(1), 1609.3(5) and 1609.3(6). The basic design wind speed, V, for use in the design of Risk Category II III buildings and structures shall be obtained from Figures 1609.3(2), 1609.3(7) and 1609.3(8). The basic design wind speed, V, for use in the design of Risk Category III IV buildings and structures shall be obtained from Figures 1609.3(3), 1609.3(9) and 1609.3(10). The basic design wind speed, V, for use in the design of Risk Category IV I buildings and structures shall be obtained from Figures 1609.3(4), 1609.3(11) and 1609.3(12) Basic wind speeds for Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico shall be determined by using the ASCE Wind Design Geodatabase. The ASCE Wind Design Geodatabase is available at https://ascehazardtool.org, or an approved equivalent.

The basic design wind speed, V, for the special wind regions indicated near mountainous terrain and near gorges shall be in accordance with local jurisdiction requirements. The basic design wind speeds, V, determined by the local jurisdiction shall be in accordance with Chapter 26 of ASCE 7. In nonhurricane-prone regions, when the basic design wind speed, V, is estimated from regional climatic data, the basic wind speed, V, shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 26 of ASCE 7.

Additional related technical and editorial changes throughout the IBC are not shown for brevity.

Change Significance: These changes to IBC wind load provisions include technical updates as well as editorial corrections and reorganization. Technical updates to the wind speed maps within ASCE 7-22 include new hurricane coastline wind speed contours from the Carolinas through Texas, as well as new Special Wind Regions in Southern California and Northern Colorado (Figure 3). All updates are based on recent wind studies conducted in those areas.

Along with the continental United States, the wind speeds for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were also updated based on recent wind studies of these islands. The resulting wind speeds account for the steep terrain of these islands and create a very dense contour map that is not easily read in the IBC. Therefore, wind speeds for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii are only included in the ASCE Wind Design Geodatabase and are no longer represented by maps in ASCE 7-22. These maps have also been removed from the IBC and replaced with a pointer to the ASCE Wind Design Geodatabase. Wind speeds in the updated Special Wind Regions also are available for designers and code officials in the ASCE Hazard Tool.

Figure 3. Comparison of ASCE 7-22 to ASCE 7-16 basic wind speeds for Risk Category II. (Courtesy Applied Research Associates)

Tornado Loads

Design provisions for tornado loads are now required for Risk Category III and IV buildings in defined areas. See Figure 4 for the average annual frequency of tornadoes per state; most tornadoes occur in central and southeastern states.

1609.5 Tornado Loads. The design and construction of Risk Category III and IV buildings and other structures located in the tornado-prone region as shown in Figure 1609.5 shall be in accordance with Chapter 32 of ASCE 7, except as modified by this code.

Additional related technical and editorial changes throughout the IBC are not shown for brevity.

Change Significance: Tornado hazards have not previously been required in the design of conventional buildings, even though tornadoes and tornadic storms cause more fatalities and more catastrophe-insured losses than hurricanes and earthquakes combined. This gap is addressed for the first time in ASCE/SEI 7‐22 which now includes requirements for tornado loads. ASCE 7-22 requirements for tornado loads apply to Risk Category III and IV buildings only sited in the tornado-prone region, which is roughly defined in IBC Figure 1609.5 as the area of the U.S. east of the Continental Divide.

Tornado loads specified in the new Chapter 32 of ASCE 7 provide reasonable consistency with the reliability delivered by wind criteria in ASCE 7 Chapters 26 and 27 for the Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS). The same mean recurrence intervals (MRI) are used for tornado wind speeds as the basic wind speeds in Chapter 26 for Risk Category (RC) III and IV facilities (MRI = 1,700 and 3,000 years, respectively). At return periods of 300 and 700 years (used for wind speeds with RC I and II structures), tornado wind speeds are generally so low that tornado loads will not control over ASCE 7 Chapter 26 wind loads. Therefore, design for tornadoes is not mandated for RC I and II buildings.

ASCE 7-22 tornado design speeds for RC III and IV structures range from 60 to 138 mph depending on geographic location and effective plan area (which is a function of the building or multiple buildings’ footprint size and shape). This generally corresponds to wind speeds for Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale EF0EF2 tornadoes, which are the most common. From 1995 to 2016, over 89% of all reported tornadoes were EF0-EF1, and 97% were EF0-EF2.

Buildings and other structures classified as Risk Category III or IV and located in the tornado-prone region, including the MWFRS and all components and cladding (C&C), are to be designed and constructed to resist the greater of the tornado loads or the straight-line wind loads determined per ASCE 7-22. This means a check of both tornado and wind loads is required. However, if the tornado wind speed is less than 60 mph, design for tornado loads is not required. Also, if the tornado wind speed is less than a certain percentage of the straight-line wind speed as a function of exposure, design for tornado loads is also not required.

Figure 4. Average annual number of tornadoes per state (National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center 2022).

The intent of ASCE 7 and the IBC is to increase wind speeds in locations where the increase is reasonable and can be applied to most buildings that are in RC III and IV. This change doesn’t require buildings to add a storm shelter, rather the MWFRS and C&C are designed to resist both straight-line winds and EF2 tornadoes. In any given area, the wind speeds of the straight-line wind may control the wind design or the EF2 tornado could control the wind design based on the worst-case combinations of geographic location, exposure, effective plan area, mean roof height, enclosure classification, building shape, and other parameters.

To make it clear that the ASCE 7 tornado provisions are not intended to protect from the most violent tornadoes, a “User Note” on the first page of the ASCE 7 Tornado Load chapter advises readers in part as follows:

“…A building or other structure designed for tornado loads determined exclusively in accordance with Chapter 32 cannot be designated as a storm shelter without meeting additional critical requirements provided in the applicable building code and ICC 500, the ICC/NSSA Standard for Design and Construction of Storm Shelters…”

Tornado hazard criteria for ICC 500 and FEMA P-361 Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes – Guidance for Community and Residential Safe Rooms are much more stringent than ASCE 7, reflecting the purpose to provide “near-absolute life-safety protection” as described by FEMA P-361. For example, the tornado shelter design wind speed in the central U.S. is 250 mph. This compares to ASCE 7 tornado wind speeds of approximately 80-125 mph for Risk Category III and 95-140 mph for Risk Category IV.

Rain Loads

The design storm return period for determination of the hydraulic head is now to be based on risk category. Other ponding provisions are updated to be consistent with ASCE 7-22.

1603.1.9 Roof rain load data Design rainfall Rain intensity, i (in/hr) (cm/hr), and roof drain, scupper and overflow locations shall be shown regardless of whether rain loads govern the design.

1608.3 Ponding instability. Susceptible bays of roofs shall be evaluated for ponding Ponding instability on roofs shall be evaluated in accordance with Chapters 7 and 8 of ASCE 7.

1611.1 Design rain loads. Each portion of a roof shall be designed to sustain the load of rainwater as per the requirements of Chapter 8 of ASCE 7. Rain loads shall be based on the summation of the static head, ds, hydraulic head, dh, and ponding head, dp, using Equation 16-19. The hydraulic head shall be based on hydraulic test data or hydraulic calculations assuming a flow rate corresponding to a rainfall intensity equal to or greater than the 15-minute duration storm with return period given in Table 1611.1. Rainfall intensity shall be determined in inches per hour for 15-minute duration storms for Risk Category given in Table 1611.1. The design rainfall shall be based on the 100-year 15-minute duration event, or on other rainfall rates determined from approved local weather data. Alternatively, a design rainfall of twice the 100-year hourly rainfall rate indicated in Figures 1611.1(1) through 1611.1(5) shall be permitted. The ponding head shall be based on structural analysis as the depth of water due to deflections of the roof subjected to unfactored rain load and unfactored dead load.

R = 5.2 (ds + dh + dp) (Equation 16-19)

where:

dh = hydraulic head equal to the depth of water on the undeflected roof above the inlet of the secondary drainage system for structural loading (SDSL) required to achieve the design flow in inches (mm) Additional depth of water on the undeflected roof above the inlet of secondary drainage system at its design flow (in other words, the hydraulic head), in inches (mm).

d p = ponding head equal to the depth of water due to deflections of the roof subjected to unfactored rain load and unfactored dead load, in inches (mm)

d s = static head equal to the depth of water on the undeflected roof up to the inlet of the secondary drainage system for structural loading (SDSL) in inches (mm) Depth of water on the undeflected roof up to the inlet of secondary drainage system when the primary drainage system is blocked (in other words, the static head), in inches (mm).

R = Rain load on the undeflected roof, in pounds per square foot (kN/m2). Where the phrase “undeflected roof” is used, deflections from loads (including dead loads) shall not be considered when determining the amount of rain on the roof.

SDSL is the roof drainage system through which water is drained from the roof when the drainage systems listed in ASCE 7 Section 8.2 (a) through (d) are blocked or not working.

Risk Category Design Storm Return Period

I&II

III

IBC Table 1611.1

100 Years

200 Years

500 Years

1611.2 Ponding instability. Susceptible bays of roofs shall be evaluated for ponding Ponding instability on roofs shall be evaluated in accordance with Chapters 7 and 8 of ASCE 7.

Change Significance: The primary change to IBC Section 1611.1 is the addition of the ponding head (d p) directly into the rain load calculation (Figure 5). In ASCE 7-16 and earlier editions, there was a requirement to perform a ponding analysis, yet limited guidance was provided on how to perform that analysis. The term “secondary drainage system for structural loading (SDSL)” is consistent with ASCE 7-22. Activation of the SDSL is intended to serve as a warning that the primary drainage system is blocked. Per ASCE 7, the elevation of the SDSL must be at least 2 inches above that of the primary drainage system so that the SDSL is not frequently activated, which would decrease the urgency of the warning and also make the SDSL more susceptible to blockage.

Figure 5. Secondary drainage design assumptions.

IBC Figures 1611.1(1) through 1611.1(5) were removed because they were 100-year “hourly” rainfall maps, which did not provide rainfall intensities for the required 15-minute duration storms. Furthermore, rainfall rates must now be determined based on the building’s Risk Category. New Table 1611.1 defines the design storm return period by Risk Category consistent with the determination of rainfall intensity per ASCE 7-22. Note that return periods are now 200 years and 500 years for Risk Category III and IV structures, respectively. The ASCE Hazard Tool provides both 15-minute and 60-minute rainfall intensities.

Sections 1608.3 and 1611.2 refer to the defined term “Susceptible Bay” for ponding instability evaluation. ASCE 7-22 has dropped this term but still takes ponding into account for snow and rain loads.

Earthquake Loads

IBC Section 1613 includes requirements for determining a building’s seismic design category (SDC). The balance of the earthquake design requirements is contained in ASCE 7. These changes bring the 2024 IBC up to date with new provisions of ASCE 7-22 and determining the SDC is simplified.

1613.2 Determination of seismic design category Seismic ground motion values Structures shall be assigned to a seismic design category based on one of the following methods unless the authority having jurisdiction or geotechnical data determines that Site Class DE, E or F soils are present at the site:

1. Based on the structure risk category using Figures 1613.2(1) through 1613.2(7).

2. Determined in accordance with ASCE 7, Where Site Class DE, E or F soils are present, the seismic design category shall be determined in accordance with ASCE 7. Seismic ground motion values shall be determined in accordance with this section.

Sections 1613.2.1 through 1613.2.5.1 have been deleted without substitution and are not shown for brevity. New Figures 1613.2(1) through 1613.2(7) replace existing Figures 1613.2(1) through 1613.2(10). Additional related technical and editorial changes throughout the IBC are not shown for brevity.

Change Significance: These changes simplify IBC Section 1613 by providing SDC maps that users can reference to quickly determine a project’s SDC based on default site conditions (Figure 6). These maps replace current ground motion response acceleration maps in the IBC and have been derived based on new multi-period response spectra procedures of ASCE 7-22.

Figure 6. Seismic design categories for default site conditions for the conterminous U.S.

The SDC maps are one of two methods provided in the IBC to determine SDC. Users are still allowed to determine the SDC following ASCE 7 provisions, where more refined information such as site-specific soils data can be considered.

These new maps will allow building officials, non-structural engineers, component manufacturers, and others to quickly identify a conservative SDC based on location alone. The ASCE Hazard Tool can be used to determine seismic design parameters, including SDC, based on location, soil class, and risk category.

Areas with SDC D for buildings in all Risk Categories based on the new maps include:

• Most of the state of Nevada except for the northeastern portions.

• Areas within an approximate 150-mile radius from New Madrid, Missouri (except for higher SDCs along the New Madrid fault line).

• Areas within an approximate 75-mile radius of Charleston, South Carolina.

Conclusion

Structural engineers should be aware of significant structural changes in the 2024 IBC Chapter 16 for environmental loads. Updates provide consistency between the IBC and ASCE 7-22. Most loads are now based on the risk category of the structure and use strength design values. Changes to snow and rain load provisions reflect this risk-based approach to design. New provisions for tornado loads apply to Risk Category III and IV structures. Updates to wind and seismic provisions harmonize with ASCE 7. The ASCE Hazard Tool (ascehazardtool.org) is a free resource for determining environmental loads based on location and risk category.

About the Authors

John “Buddy” Showalter, PE, M. ASCE, M. NCSEA (bshowalter@iccsafe.org) is a Senior Staff Engineer and Sandra Hyde, PE, M. ASCE, M. NCSEA (shyde@iccsafe.org) is Managing Director of ICC’s Consulting Group.

This article appears in the April 2024 issue of STRUCTURE Magazine as Part 6 of 9.

Reprinted with permission.

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By MiTek Staff

New to the IRC 2024 Sec. R502.11

The 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) is available. One addition to the new residential code deals with the wood framing around stair openings. This addition was submitted as part of a code change proposal by the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association (SMA) based on the work and consensus of an industry committee. MiTek and Simpson Strong-Tie participated in these meetings, along with representatives from the I-Joist industry and others. The SMA position is that the current building code contains a life-safety issue with no language or requirements to ensure adequate guard (stair railing posts) connection points.

Current IRC 2021 Definitions and Sections Dealing with Guards

Definitions:

• Guard: A building component or a system of building components located near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to the lower level.

• Handrail: A horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support.

Sec. R312.1.2 Height. Required guards at open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, porches, balconies, or landings, shall not be less than 36 inches in height as measured vertically above the adjacent walking surface or the line connecting the nosing.

From Table R301.5 Minimum Loads, a guard shall be designed to resist a 200-pound load away from the walking surface.

This load and connection have a torsional effect on the framing member, which must be passed through into the floor diaphragm.

This code addition is because stair installers require specific elements within the wood floor system to connect the guards. Currently, stair installers are on the project site after most, if not all, of the finish materials have been installed. Consequently, the stair installers have no information about the wood floor framing at the required guard locations. The stair installers attempt to install the guards, and if it feels as though the fasteners hit solid wood material, they continue with the installation. If the installer feels that the fasteners did not form a solid connection, they will remove the finish materials and install additional wood framing that they believe will be sufficient. The stair installers then repair the finish material and continue the guard installations. None of this work is designed or inspected. It is also highly subjective and dependent on the experience of the stair installers.

SMA is currently working to notify building code officials of this addition to the IRC 2024. It suggests that jurisdictions adopt these new requirements in their current building codes regardless of when they plan to adopt the IRC 2024. Advance adoption of building code provisions is at the discretion of the jurisdiction. SMA has developed a brochure explaining the additions to the IRC 2024 and the details added to the code commentary.

Stair construction has two types of guard connections. The most popular type is the top mount connection, which connects the guard with various methods to the top of the flooring or subfloor. The second type is a side connection, where the guard is notched, slips over the edge of the wood framing, and is connected to the side of the edge member.

Note that these IRC 2024 sections have very specific requirements that must be complied with. The Contractor/Installer/Framer must understand and follow these sections, and the building code official must also fully understand these sections to ensure proper inspection of this framing.

The New IRC 2024 Code Sections

R502.11 Floor framing supporting guards. The framing at the open edge of a floor supporting a required guard assembly shall be constructed in accordance with Sections R502.11.1 or R502.11.2 for guard assemblies not exceeding 44 inches (1118 mm) in height or shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice to support the guard assembly. Where trusses and I-joists are used as edge framing members supporting guards, the effects of the guard loads shall be considered in the design of the edge member.

R502.11.1 Conventional edge framing. Where a roll brace is aligned with each guard post, the framing at the edge of the floor shall consist of a solid or built-up member of lumber, structural glued laminated timber, or structural composite lumber having a minimum net width of 3 inches (76 mm) and a minimum net depth of 9-1/4 inches (235 mm) and shall be braced to resist rotation by roll bracing as described in Section R502.11.3.

R502.11.2 Timber edge framing. Where a roll brace is not aligned with each guard post, the framing at the edge of the floor shall consist of a minimum 6×10 sawn timber or a minimum 5-1/8 × 9-1/4 inch (130 mm x 235 mm) structural glued laminated timber and shall be braced to resist rotation by roll bracing described in Section R502.11.3 at intervals of 48 inches (1219 mm) or less.

R502.11.3 Roll bracing. Each roll brace shall be a joist or blocking matching the depth of the edge member and extending perpendicular to the edge member a minimum of 16 inches (406 mm) from the edge. Blocking shall have end connections for a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) from the edge and shall be fastened to each roll brace with a minimum of twelve (12) – 10d common nails and shall be fastened to the edge member with a minimum of twelve (12) – 10d common nails within 12 inches (305 mm) of the roll brace.

The details of the IRC 2024 code commentary are as shown in these images from the Early Adoption Handout, “Correcting a Serious Deficit to Building Safety,” courtesy of the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association (SMA).

For additional information or if you have any questions, please visit the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association website at https://stairways.org/.

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Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

Hain 20' Powered Measuring System Adapts to Any Saw. Left or Right Hand Operation. Feet & Inches System (Stops at 12” Centers) or Inches System (Stops at 10” Centers). Motor: 1/4 HP Linear Actuator (110 Volt). Stop Rail: 2 x 4 x 1/4” Aluminum Extrusion. Stops: Jig Bored Steel. Stop Blocks: Machine Billet Aluminum. Optional Lengths from 5’ to 60’. Optional Gang Stop. Add $890 per 10’ Section of Heavy Duty Roller Conveyor with Stands $8,990 Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

Sweed Scrap (Band) Chopper with Stand

1/2 HP Motor (115/208-230 Volt)

$1,900 NOW $1,750 FOB NE. Wasserman & Associates

800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

Standard Models Available Max Load Weight (lbs.)

2748 27" x 48" Series "B" & "C" 2500

3248 32" x 48" Series "B" & "C" 2500

3260 32" x 60" Series "B" & "C" 2800

3660

4000

*Other models and sizes are available on request. FOB NC. Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

Koorsen Connector Detector

Mass Timber for the Masses — How Simpson Strong-Tie Innovation Is Enabling More Efficient Construction

By Simpson Strong-Tie Staff

Mass timber construction is taking the construction industry by storm, and there are no signs of it slowing down. Leading forecasts from Polaris Market Research project the global CLT market to triple from USD 1.1B to 3.7B by 2030. Innovations promoting cost reduction and efficiency are helping widen the mass timber market. In the following article, we discuss a few examples of how Simpson Strong-Tie is helping in this effort.

The onsite installation of heavy, large-scale mass timber components can represent 30%–50% of a mass timber structure’s cost. Installation delays on a mass timber site can expose unprotected wood elements to water, causing unnecessary remediation costs. Simpson’s mass timber product development team factors the total cost of ownership in creating our latest mass timber products, putting equal consideration into the needs of the engineer and the installer. This has pushed our team to innovate and design solutions that ensure reliable, fast, efficient installation onsite — all while making zero compromises on the strength or performance of the structural connection.

Unlike the European market, where mass timber is used significantly in home and low-rise construction, here in the United States and Canada we typically apply mass timber in larger applications. Our mass timber projects are generally large-scale and have many connections. For this reason, we have focused on making the lives of the installation contractors as easy as possible. This is one of the core driving principles for developing our new HSKP™ and SCBH™ columnto-beam connection systems.

The HSKP heavy seated knife plate is one of the most innovative mass timber products to hit the market in recent years and is the first high-capacity column-to-beam connector that delivers 45°-angle screw installation without the need for angled washers or costly custom milling of the hanger. So how did we pull this off?

Our team leveraged decades of precision manufacturing to develop a 45° stamped and fully integrated screw guiding system. This innovation substantially reduces the typical cost of this connection style, removing 45° washers and decreasing the number of screws required — thereby speeding up the installation time for the contractor. And while saving 15–20 minutes on a connection installation might not seem like a big deal, imagine a typical mid to large project with 1,000 or more connections and how much time all that installation could take.

The SCBH steel concealed beam hanger takes an innovative approach to reduce installation and custom fabrication costs by allowing for wood-to-wood and steel-to-wood (welded) applications while offering installation tolerances three to five times greater than traditional concealed hanger solutions. More forgiveness on the connector means less shimming and pulling of structural members to install beams and columns to specification. And less wasted time between element placements on what are typically highly orchestrated and tightly planned erection schedules.

Keeping in mind all the project stakeholders, installers, engineers, and our domestic North American market’s unique needs, Simpson StrongTie will continue to promote wider adoption of mass timber construction by helping our customers reduce costs and increase productivity with smart, installation-ready solutions.

The article, Mass Timber for the Masses — How Simpson Strong-Tie Innovation Is Enabling More Efficient Construction, appeared first on Simpson Strong-Tie Building Strong Blog. To sign-up to receive the Building Strong Blog in your inbox, go to https://blog.strongtie.com/ .

Simpson Strong-Tie’s HSKP (Heavy Seated Knife Plate Hanger)

Simpson Strong-Tie’s SCBH (Concealed Beam Hanger)

Consider the BENEFITS of Membership

The MSR Lumber Producers Council (MSRLPC) represents the interests of machine stress rated lumber producers in the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, utilization, and technical aspects of MSR and MEL lumber. Suppliers, customers, and professionals may join as Associate members to enjoy:

• Online Marketing

• Networking Opportunities

• Reliable Market Data

• Education

“There is no question that the MSR Lumber Producers Council meetings are worth your time to attend. The information you will receive from the guest speakers and members of the Council is unparalleled!”

—Sean Kelly,

Automated Products Inc.

A dverti $ er

Alpine Lumber Carousel

• 7 Bunk Capacity (up to 12' Lumber)

• Pushbutton Control Station

• 10 HP / 3 Phase Motor

• In working condition when removed in August 2023

$11,900 FOB Manitoba Wasserman & Associates

800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

2002 Atlas Copco Rotary Screw Air Compressor

• Model GX11FF

• 15 HP Rotary Screw Air Compressor (230/460 Volt - 3 Phase)

• 13,443 Hours

• 51.7 CFM at 128 PSI

• 80 Gallon Tank

• Built-in Air Dryer does not work

• Includes separate 2012 Pneumatech AD-50 Air Dryer (1 Phase)

$4,250 FOB TX Wasserman & Associates

800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

Material Carts

36" x 62" Steel Framed Material Carts with 2 Vertical Metal Posts

6" Wheels (2 Fixed & 2 Swivel)

22 Available at $325 Each

$6,500 for all

Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

MISC.

SL-Laser Model ProDirector 7 Projection System

Improved model ProDirector 7, green-color laser projection system from SL-Laser. Projects roof truss, floor truss and wall panel design images accurately onto building surface for faster setup and fabrication times. New employees are productive more quickly, with less training required. Each laser head provides 21′ projection length (at 15-foot ceiling heights). New model PD7 projector heads are smaller in size than previous models, have diodes that are easier than ever to swap out and maintain, and project an even clearer line onto the building surface.

System includes projector heads, cables, mounting hardware for attachment to customer’s structure, factory installation, training, and options for computer controls. Works with each connector plate manufacturer’s design software. Modular nature of the laser heads allows for easy future expansion of system length. 120 volt, 1 phase.

FOB NC Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

2006 Hain 20' Powered Measuring System with Roller Conveyor

• Adapts to Any Saw

• Feet & Inches System (Stops at 12" Centers)

• 110 Volt / 1 Phase

• 3 Sections of 10' x 16" Roller Conveyor with 3 Stands

$7,900 FOB NE

Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

2017 L-M Double End-Bump Rollcase Station

2017 L-M Double End-Bump Rollcase. This unit serves an integral part of precision package cutting. The heavy duty steel fabricated main frame of the Rollcase is assembled with 10 bed rolls, machined from 5″ steel pipe. All ten (10) rolls are driven together with RC80 roller chain. Back up rolls are also mounted on the main frame to align the package squarely to the bumping surfaces. A hydraulic 40 gallon power unit delivering 20 GPM is used to power bed rollers that are driven to pound the package of lumber against a reinforced steel face, to flush up one end which either eliminates or reduces end trims. A variable speed drive allows for precision control during the bumping process. Includes 15 HP electric motor, motor starter, strainer, relief valve, return filter and all available accessories at the hydraulic unit. 230/460 volt, 3 phase electric power required.

$34,997 FOB OH Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.co

2021 All Lift Stand-Alone Jib Crane

2021 All Lift 3-Ton floor mounted jib crane with 18-ft span, 16-ft reach and 10′-6″ working height, with a 360° rotating boom, this heavy-duty jib crane can provide service to large areas. All Lift jib cranes feature a heavy wall structural steel pipe mast with a 78″ diameter reinforced base plate, allowing for continuous alignment and minimal deflection. The rolled steel I-beam features a tapered flange for smooth trolley travel, and safety end stops at both ends of the boom. (must be mounted on a 4′ deep cement foundation with rebar). System includes an electric 3-Ton capacity hoist with a trolley connecting to a Panels Plus panel lift with 12′ wall height capacity. New, this complete system costs approx. $25,000 (with “soft costs” that included freight and install, approx. $30k total). 230 volt electrical required.

$19,997 FOB az Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.co

2016 5-Bay Ranger LRS, with (4) Magazines

2016 Ranger LRS designed to fit the MiTek Blade linear saw, includes (5) lumber carts, (4) lumber magazines, overall beam length of 50-ft with end column supports, footprint of 50′ x 52′. Pick head is screw-type. Includes light-curtain perimeter beam, operator’s console, perimeter safety fencing and rails for carts.

$81,995

2021 Triad Floor Cassette System

TRIAD GENERATION 3 FRAMING TABLE

Lengths to 76'

Powered Width Adjustment (6'-9" to 18'-3")

Joist Locators at 16", 24" and 19.2" Centers

Accommodates 2x8 through 2x12 Lumber, LVL, I-Joists & Open Web Floor Trusses

TRIAD STUD STITCHER WITH MATERIAL BRIDGE

Programmable Touch Screen

3 Tool Mounts on Each Side (Excludes Nail Guns)

Bridge Auto Return

4,000 Lb Capacity Material Bridge (joists, studs or drywall)

$339,000 NOW $289,000 FOB CO

TRIAD TRIDENT NAIL BRIDEG WITH ROUTER Programmable Touch Screen

3 Tool Mounts with Tilt Capacity (Excludes Nail Guns)

Router Mount (Excludes Router Motor)

Auto Sizing Plate Fire

Bridge Auto Return

Accommodates Horizontal & Vertical Decking

Needs replacement sensors

208 Volt / 3 Phase

New price was $481,488

Installation is available at additional expense

Used Teeter Carts

Triad 20' Power Chain Conveyor

• Foot Pedal Control

• 2 Pairs available at $7,500 Each Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329

www.wasserman-associates.com

Steel teeter carts, quantity of (16), for moving bulk material for production staging, can be used to deliver full units to sawyer or long cut material to an assembly area at a convenient working height. Size 72″ long x 46″ wide x 32″ high, 2,500 lb. load capacity. Feature (2) pneumatic tires/ steel wheel, and (2) swivel casters. Units shown without large tires: quantity of (3) at $500 each.

Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

FOB NE. Wasserman & Associates 800-382-0329 www.wasserman-associates.com

2008 Genie GTH-1056 Telehandler

Genie telehandler lifts up to 10,000 lbs over 10 ft high, and up to 5,000 lbs 56 ft high. Can also extend out 42 ft. carrying up to 3,000 lbs. Features a 74 HP diesel engine with 3 speed transmission. Also features 3-mode power steering (2-wheel, 4-wheel coordinated and crab), frame leveling +/- 10º, and Full time 4WD with front and rear limited slip differential (LSD). Vehicle weight is 31,900 lbs. 4,618 hours on the telehandler.

765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

Automation Machinery

“Ovation” series, door machining center (DMC). Fully programmable, two-stage door machine featuring (27) axes of operation. Can be specified with either two or four front machining heads. Machine is side-eject, direct-drive with helical gear racks and gear protection from dust. The door loader is driven by an absolute encoder; no stepping motors, belts or exposed ball screws are used.

More information Click Here

Price based on configuration Wood Tech Systems 765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

Trucks & Trailers

• Automated Component & Linear Saws (2010 & Newer)

• Monet DeSauw or TimberMill Manual Component Saws

• Floor Web Saws

• Spida (Apollo) Saws with Truss Automation

• Bunk Cutters

Truss Equipment

• Roller Gantry & Hydraulic Press Systems

• Finish Rollers

• Truss Stackers

• Floor Truss Machines

• Lumber Splicers

• Jack Tables

• C-Clamp Presses

• Stretch Roll-Off Trailers

• Go oseneck Roll-Off Trailers

Modular Equipment

• Pacific Automation or MiTek Mobile Home Press

Contact Wasserman & Associates for a Fair Market Value Assessment of your Used Equipment Operational, Needs Work, and Parts Only equipment will be considered!

Builders Automation Machinery (BAM) door loader, model 2001. Allows you to stack door slabs horizontally and feeds them into a horizontal door machine like the BAM model 996E-TS. Mechanically adjusts door stack height vertically as slabs are fed into machine. Clamp automatically adjusts to type and size of door slab: steel, solid-core or hollow-

programmed controller manages the loading process.

door machine

and heavy-duty drive train

approximately (30) seconds per

Hain Systems Framer

T+/- .010 Inches

Stop Rail: 2 x 4 x 1/4 Aluminum Extrusion

he Hain Systems Framer (HSF) will help you build square and accurate wall panels for residential or commercial construction applications. It will help you cut building costs by saving time and improving your quality. It’s a reliable, efficient and proven system that features a ruggedly simple design. The HSF is based on a proven design with over 20 years of actual production use and maintenance experience. It comes fully assembled and is designed for portable job site framing or in-plant permanent installation. The table has many optional attachments and will support Mylar Tape wall layout or any other type of layout. The optional gun rails can also be retro-fit to any table.

Stops: Jig Bored Steel

Stop Blocks: Machine Billet Aluminum

Details:

Internal Components: Hardened, Ground and Polished Steel and Billet Aluminum

Table Construction: Thick-wall Structural Steel Tubing, Jig Welded for Accuracy

Dimensions: Length: 5 feet (60”) to 60 feet (720”)

Height: 12 inches

Air Supply: 90 psi (10 CFM Air Flow Recommended)

Depth: 12 inches

Electrical Supply: 120 VAC

Powder Coat: Industrial Gray

Dimensions: Height: 43”

Length: 16’ or 20’

Width: Adjustable 8’ to 10’ or 8’ to 12’

Shipping Weight: 3000 lbs

BAM Stair Wedge Saw

Builders Automation Machinery (BAM) model 2220, stair wedge saw station automatically produces wood wedges used to lock stair treads and risers into slots cut into the stair stringers…

Price based on configuration FOB FL

765-751-9990

www.woodtechsystems.com

BAM Pre-Hung

Door Machine

Titan Series

Builders Automation

Machinery (BAM) Titan series pre-hung door machine. Designed to produce between 150 and 250 doors per day. Multi-function door machine capable of doors 1′-6″ to 4′-0″ in width, and both 6′-8″ or 8′-0″ door heights. Processes both 1 3/8″ and 1 3/4″ thick door slabs. Machines the door, hinge jamb and strike jamb all at the same time. Capable hinge sizes include 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, 4″ x 4″, 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ with 5/8″ radius. Cycle time with flush hinge routing is 45 seconds. 10′ long x 7′-6″ wide footprint. Shipping weight 4,000 lbs.

More information Click Here

Price based on configuration

765-751-9990 www.woodtechsystems.com

BAM Staircase

Assembly Clamp

Builders Automation

Machinery (BAM) staircase assembly clamp, model 2210, accommodates up to 20 foot long stringers with a maximum width of 54″…

Price based on configuration FOB FL

• Sources for MSR Lumber

Filter by species, grade and dimension to locate products from MSRLPC members.

• Educational Resources

Find helpful information for current and potential MSR lumber users.

• NEW! Design Values

Comparison Tool

Compare MSR lumber reference design values with visually graded dimensional lumber by species. The MSRLPC website is a

to make informed purchasing decisions as well as those exploring design optimization with MSR Lumber. Check it out!

Safety First!

Safety Meeting Topics

From State Fund CA.

Safe Lifting Techniques

Back injuries account for about one in every five job-related injuries in California workplaces. Disabling back injuries are no laughing matter for workers who lose time from work or from personal activities. The sad truth is that most of the pain and lost time can been prevented if you are aware of how the back functions and how to lift safely to protect your back.

The back is a network of fragile ligaments, discs, and muscles which can easily be thrown out of order. The back’s complex design breaks down when it’s forced to perform activities it was not designed to do. Lifting with the back twisted or bent just begs for a pulled muscle or ruptured disc. One sure way to risk injuring the back is to lift heavy or bulky loads improperly or unassisted. Never be afraid to ask for help with loads that you know you cannot lift safely. Lift with good sense and a little extra help from a co-worker or mechanical aid when necessary.

If you decide you are capable of lifting a light load, make sure you lift correctly.

• Move in so that your feet are close to the base of the object to be lifted.

• Face the object squarely. Bend your knees and squat over the item to be lifted. In this position, the back gets added lifting strength and power from the legs and arms.

• Move up close to the item, because the backbone must act as a supporting column, and it takes the least strain close in.

• Tilt the item on edge with its long axis straight up so that the center of the weight is as high as possible above the ground.

• Still squatting, the feet should be set with legs pointed right at the load, with the back straightened, the worker may then grasp the load with both arms and slowly stand up with it, pushing up with the leg muscles. If you can’t lift slowly, you can’t lift safely.

Técnicas para

levantar

objetos pesados

Las lesiones de la espalda constituyen una de cada cinco lesiones relacionadas con el trabajo en California. Las lesiones a la espalda que resultan en incapacidad no son chiste para los trabajadores que pierden horas de trabajo o de actividades personales. La triste verdad es que la mayoría del dolor y el tiempo perdido pueden evitarse si se sabe cómo funciona la espalda y cómo levantar de forma segura los objetos pesados para protegerse la espalda.

La espalda es una red frágil de ligamentos, discos y músculos que pueden lastimarse con facilidad. El diseño complejo de la espalda deja de funcionar correctamente cuando se le fuerza a ejecutar actividades para las cuales no ha sido diseñada. Levantar objetos pesados con la espalda doblada es una forma fácil de estirarse un músculo o romperse un disco de la columna vertebral. Una manera sin falla de lastimarse la espalda es levantar un objeto pesado o voluminoso incorrectamente o sin ayuda. Nunca tenga temor de pedir ayuda para levantar objetos que usted sabe que no es capaz de levantar en forma segura por sí solo. Levante los objetos pesados aplicando el buen juicio y con la ayuda de un compañero de trabajo o ayuda mecánica cuando sea necesario.

A good way to learn the right from the wrong way to lift is to practice lifting correctly a few times. You will notice that the correct way to lift is the easiest way to lift the load, with the least strain and awkwardness. To lift the wrong way will, over time, cause injury and pain. The back can be damaged quickly but can take a long time to heal.

Si usted decide que es capaz de levantar una carga ligera, asegúrese de levantarla de la forma correcta.

• Colóquese de manera que tenga los pies cercanos a la base del objeto a levantar.

• Sitúese directamente de cara al objeto. Doble las rodillas y haga cuclillas sobre el objeto a levantar. En esta posición, la espalda recibe la potencia de izar adicional que le brindan las piernas y los brazos.

• Colóquese cerca del objeto, porque la columna vertebral debe funcionar como una columna de apoyo, y estando cerca del objeto recibe menos esfuerzo.

• Gire el objeto hasta tener el eje longitudinal vertical para que el centro de gravedad esté lo más alto posible sobre el suelo.

• Aún de cuclillas, los pies y las piernas deben estar apuntando a la carga, con la espalda recta, el trabajador debe sujetar la carga con ambos brazos y pararse lentamente, haciendo la fuerza con los músculos de las piernas. Si no se levanta lentamente, no se está levantando de manera segura.

Una buena manera de diferenciar entre el método correcto y los incorrectos de levantar es practicar la forma correcta varias veces. Observará que con el método correcto es más fácil levantar la carga, con el menor esfuerzo y menos torpeza. Con el tiempo, el levantar objetos pesados incorrectamente puede ocasionar lesiones y dolor. La espalda se puede lastimar en un instante y tomar mucho tiempo para sanar.

August 5 – 18

August 6 – 8

CalENdar of EvENts

Orgill Fall Online Buying Event online

Southern Forest Products Assoc. (SFPA) 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO Nashville, TN

August 6 – 9 International Woodworking Fair (IWF) Atlanta, GA

August 8

Midwest Building Suppliers Assoc. (MBSA) 2023 Sycamore Scramble Golf Tournament Anderson, IN

North American Wholesale Lumber Assoc. (NAWLA) Midwest Regional Meeting Chicago, IL

August 8 – 10 Ace Hardware Fall Convention Chicago, IL

August 12 – 13

August 15

August 29

Timber Construct 2024 Conference & Exhibition Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Assoc. (MSLBMDA) Clay Shoot Brighton, CO

Midwest Building Suppliers Assoc. (MBSA) 2023 White Pine Classic Golf Tournament Stanwood, MI

SEPTEMBER 2024

September 6 – 9 Do it Best Fall Market 2024 Indianapolis, IN

September 9 – 11 True Value Fall Reunion 2024 Orlando, FL

September 9 – 13

September 9 – 14

American Wholesale Lumber Assoc. (NAWLA) Fall Wood Basics

Manufacturing Technology Show – IMTS 2024

September 11 – 15 National Assoc. of Home Builders (NAHB) Professional Women in Building Week online

September 17 – 19

September 18

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assoc. (NELMA) 91st Annual MeetingRockport, MA

Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assoc. (SLMA) 2023 D.C. Summit Washington, D.C.

Offsite Construction Summit Denver, CO

September 18 – 19 Lumbermens Merchandising Corp (LMC) Leadership Summit Austin, TX

September 18 – 20 Gulf Atlantic Building Products Expo – The Main Event Orlando, FL

September 23 – 25 Lumbermens Assoc. of Texas (LAT) 137th Annual Convention & Expo Arlington, TX

September 23 – 27 Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) Fall Training Week Pensacola Bch, FL

September 24 Forest Economic Advisors (FEA) Forest Products Forum Portland, OR

September 25 – 27 Construction Suppliers Assoc. (CSA) Conference & Tradeshow Miramar, FL

September 26 – 28 United Hardware Fall Buying Market Rochester, MN

September 30 –

October 2 Multifamily Executive (MFE) Conference Las Vegas, NV

OCTOBER 2024

October 1 – 3

October 7 – 11

National Assoc. of Home Builders (NAHB) Fall Leadership Meeting San Antonio, TX

Building Component Manufacturers Conference and Framer Summit (BCMC | FS) Milwaukee, WI

October 9 – 11 Zonda’s Future Place Irving, TX

October 9 – 11 United Hardware 2024 Fall Buying Market St. Cloud, MN

October 14 – 16 University of Texas Building Professional Institute (BPI) of Texas—Central TexasAustin, TX

October 16 – 18 Builder Connections Arlington, TX

October 22 Zonda’s Q4 Housing Market Forecast online

CalENdar of EvENts

NOVEMBER

Don’t see your event?

attendance and participation by listing your industry focused events here! E-mail details and event web-link to . We can’t guarantee space for all events, but all industry related events will be added on a space available and interest to our reader priority

TP would like to welcome the following authorized agents to our inspection team, each of whom have many years of experience in the truss industry!

• Al Coffman

• Jean Hart • Curt Holler • Chuck Ray

Glenn Traylor • Elliot Wilson

Are you a skilled Truss Designer or Wall Panel designer seeking a better work-life balance? Look no further! Our client is offering a unique opportunity for talented designers like you to thrive in an environment that respects your personal and professional needs.

In this position, you'll have the flexibility to choose from various working arrangements to accommodate your lifestyle. Some of our employers offer a 32-hour workweek with full benefits, allowing you to strike a perfect balance between your career and personal life. You can work in the office, remotely, or in a hybrid setup, depending on your location and skill level. More Details Here

Project Coordinator J15272 TN

Remote Wall Panel Designer - J15304

Remote - Eastern US

Remote Truss Designer - MiTek J15228

Florida

Truss Designer J14165 Carolinas

Implementation and Support Specialist J15306

100% Remote - Northeast

Truss Designer - MiTek - Remote or OS J15312

Florida, AL, or GA for Remote

Senior Truss Designer - J15342

Mountains

Software Territory Sales Representative –Component Manufacturers J15336 Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Northern Arkansas Territory

Truss Designer J15339

New England

Mass Timber Sales/Business Development-J15338

Central Ontario

Mass Timber Engineer-J15337 Central Ontario

Truss Designer-J15334

Southern Alberta

Senior Truss Designer-J15335

Southern Alberta

Truss Design/Estimating Manager J15332

Texas

Mass Timber Business DevelopmentJ-15330

Eastern North America

Mass Timber Business DevelopmentJ-15331

Western North America

Assistant Truss Plant Manager J15311

Central Florida

Senior Truss Designer - J15294

Western Ontario

Truss Designer-J15293

Western Ontario

Design Manager - J15295

Western Ontario

Outside Sales - Wall Panels, EWP & Trusses - J15321

Eastern Ontario

Senior Truss Designer-J15300

Eastern Ontario

Truss Design Supervisor-J15325

Central Ontario

CFS Truss Designer | Wall Panel Designer J5323

Midwest

EWP Designer-J15283

Eastern Ontario

Senior Truss & EWP Designer - J15320 AB, BC, ON

EWP Designer - J15314

Remote Wall Panel Designer - Production

Builder Market J14107

Remote Indiana

Truss Designer-J15299

Eastern Ontario

ID: C10122

Designer/Design Manager - Truss

Relocation: Iowa

Senior Designer. - Advanced. Candidate has 24 years Truss Ddesigner experience and 5 years Truss Design Manager experience. Products include floor trusses, roof trusses, I-Joists, and hardware. Markets include single family, custom, high end, multi-family, light commercial, and agriculture. Primary duties include design, layout, optimization, cutting/production documents, and takeoff. Secondary duties include checking others work, repairs, customer service, inside sales, software maintenance, training, and filling in for the Design Manager as needed. Software experience includes MiTek and Keymark. Training received includes WTCA Level 2. Education: High School Graduate and Batchelors degree.

Motivating factors: advancement, compensation, benefits, work location, job security, and relocation.

ID: C18604

Truss Designer - Remote (MiTek)

Relocation: Alberta

I currently design & layout roof trusses, floor trusses, I-Joists and EWP from PDF plans and specifications for pricing. Also does engineering using MiTek, then uploads to Management or MBA in the past. Once sold, and field measurements are provided, I update the project and clean up the layouts, trusses and release them to the shop. I also answer questions from sales and the shop as needed as well as training newer designers. Most of my projects are single family, but I have also done several apartments, hotels, assisted living centers, and other commercial projects. I want to grow, learn, and become a better designer to be a valued team member.

ID: C18698

Wall Panel Designer / Modular Designer

Relocation: Georgia

Highly-skilled and detail-oriented with over 20 years of experience in creating precise and comprehensive technical drawings and plans for architectural and engineering projects. With a keen eye for detail and a strong command of drafting software such as AutoCAD and Revit, I excel in translating design concepts and specifications into accurate and detailed drawings that meet industry standards and project requirements. I am dedicated to delivering high-quality drafting solutions, optimizing project workflows, and supporting the realization of innovative and sustainable design solutions. Eight years modular (residential and commercial) plus 4 years of wall panel design experience. Single and multi-story modular and residential wall panel focus.

ID: C10968

Senior Wood Truss Designer - Part Time

Relocation: Florida, Alabama, Georgia, REMOTE

Candidate desires to use his career long industry experience to be the best Part Time

Remote Designer you have. Prior truss plant owner for 10 years, strong production and operations management background, and JobLine Senior Designer rating in truss design using MiTek software. Also has FASTBeam experience. Products: floor & roof trusses. Markets: Single family custom, multi family, tract and light commercial. Was successful in creating strong teams in production, design and customer service, but the local economy and overwhelming competition was more than he could overcome from a small plant perspective. Degree: BSEE

Compensation: Based on employee or 1099 status.

Thom's Notes: I have worked with this candidate as an employer for years. Very detail oriented. Fair, honest, and customer service oriented. Very design/liability conscious. Scored 98

ID: C10186

Remote CFS, LGS Designer - Multifamily/ Commercial Relocation: Texas

One of my best CFS designers, the candidate has 20+ years experience in commercial, multifamily, and pagoda style structures. Want to know more, give me a call or make an inquiry.

ID: C10853

Remote Design Manager | Remote Offshore Design Project Manager Relocation: Texas, Georgia, USA - South

Top level Engineering/Design Management candidate, 14+- years experience Truss, 4+- Panel experience. Has experience building and integrating offshore design resources with internal design departments and training design managers to better utilize offshore capabilities. Large volume manufacturer experience. MiTek Sapphire design/layout proficient. Too confidential to go into more detail.

Compensation: $120k+

ID: C18549

Remote Wall Panel Designer Relocation: USA - ALL States Wall panel designer with 10 years' experience including production builders, single family custom and small to medium multifamily projects. MiTek Sapphire software experience.

ID: C18426

Remote Truss Designer

Relocation: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, REMOTE, Costa Rica, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington DC, Rhode Island, Saskatchewan, Oregon, Ontario, North Dakota, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Nevada, Montana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kentucky,

Delaware, Conneticut, California, Arizona, Alaska

Offshore Truss Designer with MiTek experience. The candidate is a civil engineer with 6 years' truss design experience for companies in Texas and Florida. Prior work for BFS and smaller manufacturers. Bilingual Spanish/English with a company set up to make paying easy. Scored 89 on our truss design skills evaluation, which is near the senior designer level. He is also SBCA I & II certified. He is willing to go to work immediately.

Compensation: $65-75k as a subcontractor, no benefits or taxes.

We haven't represented offshore candidates in the past but feel this candidate is worth a shot. Please contact Thom for additional details.

ID: C11370

General | Plant Manager/OperationsTruss/Panel/Framing Package Relocation: Texas, Arizona

20 years' experience. Started in production, advanced to Saw Supervisor, Production Manager, Plant Manager, now General Manager. As General Manager operated a $125M truss plant. Tripled output and reduced errors and labor cost. Developed and implemented standards and procedures to manage quality and costs. As Plant Manager (4 years), manage all the operation of the manufacturing plant, such as Productivity, logistics, efficiencies, costs. As Production Manager (12 years), manage all the areas of the manufacturing across the plant. Safety, quality control, efficiencies, HR, etc... Software: MiTek, Word, Excel, OptiFrame. Products: R & F Truss, Panel, Framing package. Markets: Single Family, Multifamily, Custom Homes. Bilingual English/Spanish spoken and written. Degree in Industrial Engineering.

Compensation: $90's+ bonus ($100k min) ID: C10897

Design Manager/Senior Designer/PE/ Optimizer - Truss/Panel/EWP Relocation: REMOTE

30 year industry veteran, started as a Truss Designer, earned his way to Design Manager over 20+ designers. MiTek - Advanced, AutoCAD proficient. BSCE - PE.

Compensation: Open??

Thom's Notes: PE with Mid Atlantic seals ID: C18565

Designer: Truss/Panel, Wood/Steel, BIM

Relocation: North Carolina Material take-offs, proposals, job-site meetings, Submittal Tracking, Excellent Problem-solving Skills, Material Ordering, Field Measuring, 3-D Modeling Program (3-D and 4-D BIM in-house), Generated material take-offs from the BIM model, Coordinated RFI's thru the BIM model,

Clash detection between wood trusses, structural steel and LVL's. 3-D Scan's of job-sites. Scheduled / Distributed work to 6 designers Cross-trained all designers in roof floor and wall panels for whole-house design.

ID: C18370

Plant | Location | General ManagerTruss/Panel

Relocation: California, Nevada Highly experienced (20+ years) roof and floor truss, and wall panel manufacturing manager. Started in the plant as builder, then sawyer, supervisor, truck driver, maintenance manager, designer, outside sales, plant manager, operations manager, and general manager. OSHA trained, developed and implemented safety programs. Successful turn around experience, hands on ability to work with departments to combine individual strengths into one team effort, lower costs, and meet quality and volume expectations. Past experience negotiating better vendor programs to lower costs and improve inventory turns.

ID: C10507

Senior Management - Truss/Panel/ Lumber/Installed Services

Relocation: USA - Western

I am a Diverse driven individual seeking a position in the fast paced construction component industry where my professionalism in sales, business and leadership skills along with a strong proven background in, General Management, Operations, Sales Management, strategic alliances, business development, team building, P&L experience and Customer Satisfaction will play an integral part in growing new business, nurturing existing business or developing company operations to meet the highest level of efficiencies, standards and safety while having fun

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doing it!

ID: C11834

General/Regional Manager - Truss/Panel Relocation: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ontario, Vermont

As District Manager: Responsible for the financial performance of three wood truss and wall panel plants, two Millwork and door assembly facilities and one installed labor location in multiple states. Group revenues increased from $50 million/year in to $70 million per year. Devised a “buy versus make” purchasing protocol in to ensure that internal truss and Millwork plants were operating at capacity before using outside vendors that supplied similar products. Spearheaded a “hub and spoke” organizational structure for three truss plants. This plan optimized scarce design talent, reduced clerical expenses, and synchronized output at each plant. Restructured the installed labor division to include material estimators, lumber salespeople and cost accounting methods in 2005. The changes resulted in a 400k gain in profits. Drafted corporate training material for fall protection and new hire safety orientation.

As General Manager: Won “Gold Store” award for exceeding company goals in profits, sales growth, and ROA. Served on a corporate manufacturing audit and operating performance team that made recommendations to under performing truss plants. Two of the facilities audited became “Gold Stores” the following year. When the sales of three district stores were allocated to the truss plant, the lost business ($1.5 million/year) was made up and organic sales grew by over 10%. Sales volume grew from $11 million per year to over $15 million per year.

ID: C18387

Division Manager, VP Operations, President - Truss | Panel | Building Materials | Pro Dealer

Relocation: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Texas, USA - South, Virginia, Washington DC, Wisconsin

Executive level manager, VP, President with $1+B P&L responsibility. Lumber, building materials, trusses, wall panels, and CFS background. Inquire to discuss this candidate.

ID: C18449

Estimator | Designer - Truss, Panel | Prior carpenter

Relocation: Ohio, Pennsylvania

Prepare and distribute estimates to competing bidders. Calculate labor, time, and material estimated per individual job. Read, analyze, and interpret residential and commercial blueprints. Ensure projects meet the proper building codes and standards for the industry. Communicate with prospective bidders both over the phone and in person. Design and engineer roof trusses, floor trusses, pre-fabricated wall panels, and

EWP. Gained first-hand experience setting trusses in the field during prior construction job. Design roof systems to be most efficient and inexpensive when being constructed in the field. Design complete models in MiTek Sapphire. Design and engineer roof trusses and transfer loads throughout the structure as need. Also design and engineer beams and hangers when necessary.

ID: C12414

Truss Designer | Wall Panel Designer | All Hats Relocation: Arizona

Engineered panel and truss design, developed material take off for turnkey build up, worked in coordination with multiple plants and design teams, worked closely with material suppliers on take offs and estimating.

I've worked for decades in the construction industry. Not only in new construction, but additions and remodels as well using innovative designs for added value and to drive down cost. In addition to experience with MiTek, Wallbuilder and other design software packages, I have extensive manual trig/math skills. I use these to back check questionable loads as well to design from scratch in the field when needed. I have also written tutorials for the training of others and checked other designer's work as a Design Manager at a Panel Plant. All things being equal, I love working in components whether designing, cutting, building or setting components at the site.

ID: C18430

Truss Designer | Remote Truss Designer Relocation: USA - South, USASouthwest, USA - ALL States

Extensive experience in truss estimating and design. Proficient in designing roof and floor trusses for a variety of projects including: custom homes, track homes, multi-family, mega-multifamily, and light commercial projects. I always get everyone involved with the project like architect, engineers, homeowners, and sales personnel Many times I go to the job site for the convenience of the framer and see what kind of condition or changes they might have; this way we will be working on the same page. Also included in my experience is purchasing material, negotiating contracts, setting up deliveries, steel and cmu detailing for steel columns and beams, with almost 25 years of experience in the construction business. MiTek Sapphire.

ID: C18412

Plant | Production | Operations Manager - Truss/Panel

Relocation: Georgia, South Carolina, Florida

Oversaw all aspects of the manufacturing and shipping of wood truss component systems for the building industry: roofs, floors and wall panels; 2 shift operation; 8 million in sales.

Managed the master schedule based on

sales orders, plant volume, and lead time through the Mitek Management Business Application System.

Followed all orders through the process to insure OTD (on time delivery).

Handled all phone communications from the customer as it related to changes in the delivery schedule.

Batched jobs through the engineering software to the component saws and truss building tables

Quality Assurance – WTCA/TPI

ID: C18367

Wall Panel Designer | Remote Wall Panel Designer | Mega-Multifamily

Relocation: Utah

Remote wall panel design for medium to large scale MF. Remote estimating using MiTek Sapphire to get a more accurate material count. 100,000 - 500,000 sq ft MF projects primarily in the New England Market with the panel plant being in New Brunswick. Also worked on projects in the Arizona, Texas, and California markets.

Compensation: $70's+ (45+- hours)

ID: C18365

Intermediate Canadian Remote Truss Designer - Sapphire Relocation: Ontario

Remote Truss Designer available.. Currently provides technical support and designs to lumber distributors for roof systems for residential and commercial applications. Provides technical assistance and support to the distribution staff to meet client demands for engineered wood structural applications. Ensures that wood truss fabricators, lumber distributors and specifiers have adhered to established building standards, codes and practices. Maintains extensive knowledge of structural analysis programs such as MiTek SAPPHIRE Structure design software. Analyze/prepare engineered wood designs and details for Design Engineer review and approval. Generate manufacturing information and quotations for sales team and management. Prepares the job for production. Canadian codes and standards experienced.

ID: C15958

Operations/Plant Manager - Millwork | Doors | Ply | Flooring Relocation: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming

30 years' experience starting in production and advancing to multi-plant operations manager. Door experience includes managing three Production Managers and five Production Supervisors, consisting of 300 hourly employees producing 11,000 doors and 10,000 face frames per day. Responsible for the manufacturing functions of all mill operations, five frame component machining cells, three frame assembly

operations, four door component machining cells, three door assembly clamps, three door profiling lines, two wide belt sanding lines and specialty machining and assembly cells.

Flooring experience: Responsible for all plant functions including budgeting and P&L. Managed six Department Managers: two Production Departments, Quality Assurance, Materials, Human Resources including SHE, and Plant Engineer/Maintenance Manager including the CI program. Their staffs consist of eleven Supervisors and 330 hourly employees. The door plant operation dries lumber, cuts dimension stock, assembles and sands the doors. The panel plant produces the veneered flat and raised center panels, by cutting engineered wood and veneer from flitch and pressing the veneer to the substrate. Both plants are equipped with finishing lines.

ID: C15995

Truss Designer - MiTek

Relocation: Florida

Truss Designer. Primary duties: design, layout, optimization, and cutting/production documents. Secondary duties: checking others work. Software used: MiTek and AutoCAD. Component experience includes floor trusses and roof trusses. Market experience includes single family, multifamily, light commercial, and agriculture. My volume was varied depending on projects. 2 years experience, MiTek software.

ID: C18277

Professional Engineer | Engineering Manager - Engineered Wood Products, Components Structural Hardware | Codes & Compliance

Relocation: Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, USA - Eastern, Virginia, Washington DC

Experienced and successful professional engineering manager with over 25 years experience in improving productivity and resolving structural problems for engineered wood product and truss manufacturers and developing innovative design software programs. Also skilled in building outstanding teams and relationships among sales, manufacturing, and engineering stakeholders. Highly educated with exceptional employment history & experience.

ID: C18250

Remote Senior Light Gage Steel Truss/ Panel Designer.

Relocation: Texas

Top level Light Gage Steel Senior Remote Designer with Truss and Panel and well as metal frame commercial project experience. Alpine, Truswal and Keymark experience.

ID: C17230

Remote Wall Panel Designer - Sapphire

Relocation: Newfoundland

My objective is to be part of a team/company and prove I am reliable, show my ability and

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my willingness to learn! In addition to being a newer wall panel designer, I have learned software such as Mitek Sapphire, Revit 2017, Bluebeam Revu 2016. I have recently done jobs such as designing garages and adding on additions to homes. Jobs I have worked in wall paneling include a massive wall panel job for the US (500,000+ SFT) and designed units for a senior complex. In addition to wall panels...I also add in blocking, windows, doors, etc. I also do bundling and paperwork as well.

ID: C16152

Mega-Multifamily General Manager

Relocation: Florida

Mega-Multifamily General Manager. Apply to discuss this candidate. Highly confidential.

ID: C11781

Truss Design Manager

Relocation: New York

Worked on the most complicated custom projects, commercial buildings, and apartment complexes. Quickly became a team leader and was considered company wide as an expert in truss framing and computer applications. Provided training for a group of 30 experienced component designers in topics including load tracking, truss and layout optimization, and hardware specification. Optimization training helped to reduced material costs by 5%. Developed departmental procedures to increase consistency and accuracy of all designs and estimates. Reduced errors on repetitive projects by 25% by creating the master project file database, which organized and provided fast and easy access to project information. Streamlined estimating process for commercial construction projects. Analyzed the final cost of completed projects and applied results to new estimates. Reduced estimating time by 75% Managed up to 10 designers/sales reps. Software: MiTek, AutoCAD.

ID: C15999

Outside Sales - Truss | Wall Panel | EWP | Installed Sales

Relocation: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

16 years' experience in outside sales of trusses, wall panels, engineered wood components, stairs and other building materials. Projects range from tract to high volume multifamily apartments. Has developed new territory, improved sales in lagging markets, and met or exceeded sales goals in most years. Has turn key installed sales experience, and has limited design skills from the past. Please inquire for additional information. Easy relocate.

ID: C15857

Senior Truss Designer | Remote Truss Designer | Design Manager Relocation: California

Truss Designer. Primary duties: design, layout, optimization, cutting/production documents, and takeoff. Secondary duties: checking others work, scheduling, repairs,

customer service, inside sales, and field measurements. Software used: MiTek and AutoCAD. Component experience includes floor trusses, roof trusses, I-Joists, EWP, and hardware. Market experience includes tract, single family, single family custom, multifamily, and light commercial. My volume was varied depending on projects. Has used MiTek, Alpine, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office programs.

The candidate has been out of the industry, working in parallel jobs, and wants to return to a design position. Scored Senior Designer using an HP calculator, 8 years after his last truss design job. Speed was faster than average too. It may take a little time for him to get up to speed on the latest software. Ranked 5 out of 5 in our system.

ID: C10810

Designer/Inside Sales - Truss Relocation: Virginia

6 years design experience, 1 inside sales. Primary duties: design, layout, optimization, cutting/production documents, and takeoff. Secondary duties: scheduling, repairs, customer service, inside sales, and field measurements. Software used: MiTek, AutoCAD, and CAD - Other. Component experience includes floor trusses and roof trusses. Market experience includes tract, single family, single family custom, multifamily, light commercial, and agriculture. My volume was varied depending on projects. Past carpenter and framer. Has an engineering related associates degree/ drafting

Compensation: $45k+

ID: C15679

LGS Truss & Panel PE

Relocation: USA - Eastern, USA - South

As Engineering Manager I was responsible for oversight of all technical and engineering engagements. Design of light gauge metal trusses, wall panels, shear walls, for hotels, retirement homes and other commercial and residential structures. Making jobs viable by replacing red-iron with light gauge metal was key to solidifying more projects. I was actively engaged in computer software development of truss design and coordinating overseas programming efforts into truss layout.

As Senior Technical Services Engineer, I held the nation-wide responsibility for all light gauge cold-formed steel truss engineering including field applied repair design. I provided technical advice and counsel to our staff and functioned as a subject matter expert (SME) for all three product divisions. As a result, I augmented my professional registrations to include 38 States, 1 District, and 1 Canadian Province.

ID: C14490

General Manager | Operations Manager | Turn Around

Relocation: Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North

Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas

Full P&L turnaround of a family owned light gage steel panel manufacturing company. Turned it form a mom and pop, into a large, functioning manufacturing company that had systems, KPI programs, personnel development, and a growing customer base. Ready to help take your company to the next level.

ID: C11976

Design/Estimating/Sales - Truss/LGS Relocation: New York

Experienced wood & cold formed steel truss designer with 12 years experience using MiTek Industries and Aegis Metal Framing products and software. Seasoned sales professional with 8 years experience selling; wood roof & floor trusses and accessories, metal roof trusses and accessories, and the sale of component design and engineering services. A highly motivated designer and sales person with a proven track record for achieving excellence, building long term business relationships, and providing impeccable service to contractors, engineers, architects, and developers throughout New York and New England. Specialize in design build and defense contracting from early pre-bid/qualification stages through installation.

ID: C11895

Designer - Truss/I-Joists, EWP

Relocation: California, USA - ALL States, Texas, Alaska

Designer. Primary duties: design and cutting/production documents. Secondary duties: checking others work and field measurements. Software used: Alpine and MiTek. Component experience includes floor trusses, roof trusses, I-Joists, EWP, and hardware. Market experience includes single family, single family custom, multifamily, and light commercial. BS Civil Engineering. Software: Alpine, MiTek, AutoCAD, Word, Excel.

ID: C10324

Plant Manager/Designer/Design Manager/?? - Truss/Panel/Installed Relocation: Georgia

As Location Manager, managed one estimator, four designers, a secretary/ data entry person, and a shop of 40 truss production employees. As Senior Designer, primary duties: design, layout, optimization, and takeoff. Secondary duties: checking others work, scheduling, repairs, customer service, and training. Software used: Alpine and AutoCAD. Component experience includes floor trusses, roof trusses, wall panels, framed openings, I-Joists, EWP, hardware, lumber, and complete framing package. Market experience includes tract, single family, single family custom, multi-

family, and light commercial.

Thom's Notes: Very experienced, willing to wear many hats.

High New Home Inventory: What it Means for Home Building

Posted July 2, 2024 on NAHB Now | The News Blog of the National Association of Home Builders Reprinted with permission.

Housing economists typically advise that a balanced market inventory is a five- to sixmonths’ supply — meaning that is a measure of how many months it would take for that count of home inventory to be sold at the current monthly sales rate.

Inventory larger than a five- to six-month supply would suggest weaker or declining home price growth and home building activity. Lean inventory levels (less than a five- to sixmonth supply) tend to lead to price growth and gains for home building activity.

In the Census May 2024 newly built home sales data, the current months’ supply of inventory is 9.3. Some analysts have noted that, given the five- to six-month benchmark, that this means the building market for single-family homes is possibly oversupplied, implying declines for construction and prices lie ahead.

However, this narrow reading of the industry misses the mark. First, it is worth noting that new home inventory comprises homes completed and ready to occupy, homes currently under construction and homes that have not begun construction. That is, new home inventory is a measure of homes available for sale, rather than homes ready to occupy. In fact, just 21% of new home inventory in May comprised standing inventory or homes that have completed construction (99,000 homes).

More fundamentally, an otherwise elevated level of new home months’ supply is justified in current conditions because the inventory of resale homes continues to be low. Indeed, according to the National Association of Realtors, the current months’ supply of single-family homes is just 3.6, well below the five- to six-month threshold. The vast majority of homes for sale are in the resale market. It is this lack of inventory that has produced ongoing price increases despite significantly higher interest rates over the last two years.

NAHB estimates that the combined new and existing single-family home inventory is at a 4.4 months’ supply, which qualifies as low. In other words, overall current inventory levels continue to support on a national basis limited gains for home building and upward pressure on home prices.

NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides an in-depth analysis in this Eye on the Economy post.

June Marks Highest Yearly Increase in Building Material Prices Since February 2023

Posted July 16, 2024 on NAHB Now | The News Blog of the National Association of Home Builders Reprinted with permission.

Inputs to residential construction (goods less food and energy) — which represent building materials used in residential construction — rose 0.19% in June, according to the most recent producer price index (PPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May, the index fell 0.26% after rising 0.22% in April.

Year-over-year growth has continued to climb this year — June’s increase of 2.65% was the highest since February 2023. Despite overall inflation declining, prices for inputs to residential construction have accelerated since the start of the year, leaving home builders to continue to deal with higher building material prices.

Specific increases include:

• Softwood lumber rose 3.41% in June, after falling 5% in May

• Gypsum building materials were unchanged for the second consecutive month but were up 2.32% over the year.

• Ready-mix concrete rose 0.45% in June after rising a revised reading of 0.26% in May

Meanwhile, steel mill products fell 1.18% in June after rising 0.54% in May, and copper fell 2.67% in June, the first monthly decline since February of this year.

Jesse Wade, NAHB director of tax and trade policy analysis, provides more details in this Eye on Housing post.

High Mortgage Rates Continue to Hold Back Builder Confidence

Posted July 16, 2024 on NAHB Now | The News Blog of the National Association of Home Builders Reprinted with permission.

Mortgage rates that averaged 6.92% in June per Freddie Mac, along with elevated rates for construction and development loans, continue to put a damper on builder sentiment.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 42 in July, down one point from June, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. This is the lowest reading since December 2023.

“While buyers appear to be waiting for lower interest rates, the six-month sales expectation for builders moved higher, indicating that builders expect mortgage rates to edge lower later this year as inflation data are showing signs of easing,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan.

“Though inflation is still above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, it appears to be back on a cooling trend. NAHB is forecasting Fed rate reductions to begin at the end of this year, and this action will lower interest rates for home buyers, builders and developers,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “And while home inventory is increasing, total market inventory remains lean at a 4.4 months’ supply, indicating a long-run need for more home construction.”

The July HMI survey also revealed that 31% of builders cut home prices to bolster sales in July, above the June rate of 29%. However, the average price reduction in July held steady at 6% for the 13th straight month. Meanwhile, the use of sales incentives held steady at 61% in July, the same reading as June.

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for more than 35 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

The HMI index charting current sales conditions in July fell one point to 47 and the gauge charting traffic of prospective buyers also declined by a single-point to 27. The component measuring sales expectations in the next six months increased one point to 48.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast fell six points to 56, the Midwest dropped four points to 43, the South decreased two points to 44 and the West posted a four-point decline to 37.

HMI tables can be found at nahb.org/hmi. More information on housing statistics is also available at Housing Economics PLUS (formerly housingeconomics.com).

NEWs

Single-Family Starts Weaken in June

Posted July 17, 2024 on NAHB Now | The News Blog of the National Association of Home Builders Reprinted with permission.

Elevated interest rates for home mortgages and construction and development loans kept single-family production and demand in check during June. Overall housing starts increased 3.0% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.35 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The June reading of 1.35 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts decreased 2.2% from an upwardly revised May figure to a 980,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate. However, on a year-to-date basis, single-family starts are up 16.1%. The volatile multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, increased 19.6% to an annualized 373,000 pace.

“Lower single-family starts are in line with our latest builder surveys, which show that while builders are concerned about the current high interest rate environment, they believe that mortgage rates will moderate in the coming months and lead to higher construction in the latter part of 2024,” said Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and custom home builder from Wichita, Kan.

“With better inflation data, the Federal Reserve is expected to begin rate reductions later this year, and an improving interest rate environment will help buyers as well as builders and developers who are contending with tight lending conditions and high interest rates,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “And with home inventory at a relatively low 4.4 months’ supply, builders are prepared to increase production in the months ahead. NAHB survey data of forward-looking builder sales expectations saw a gain in July.”

On a regional and year-to-date basis, combined single-family and multifamily starts are 9.9% lower in the Northeast, 3.4% lower in the Midwest, 3.5% lower in the South and 0.7% higher in the West. Overall permits increased 3.4% to a 1.45 million unit annualized rate in June. Single-family permits decreased 2.3% to a 934,000 unit rate. Multifamily permits increased 15.6% to an annualized 512,000 pace. Looking at regional data on a year-to-date basis, permits are 0.8% lower in the Northeast, 3.0% higher in the Midwest, 0.7% lower in the South and 3.8% lower in the West.

The total number of single-family homes and apartments under construction was 1.56 million in June. This is the lowest total since January 2022. Single-family homes under construction fell back 1.3%, to a count of 668,000— down 2.2% from a year ago. The number of multifamily units under construction continues to fall, declining 1.6% to an 895,000 count—down 11.4% from a year ago. The number of multifamily units under construction is now the lowest since August 2022.

Multifamily completions reached a 673,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate in June. This is the fastest pace for apartment completions since May of 1986. This additional supply will provide some added relief for shelter inflation and provide confidence for the Fed to begin cutting interest rates this year.

The SLB Q1 Report Highlights Work to Deliver Long-Term, Sustainable Growth in Demand for Softwood Lumber Products

The SLB recently published its Q1 2024 Report, highlighting how the SLB and its funded programs delivered strong, measurable results, expanding markets and driving incremental lumber demand. Through its programs and partnerships, the SLB is leading the industry’s efforts to deliver long-term, sustainable growth in demand for softwood lumber products.

Key highlights:

• 431 MM BF of incremental demand generated, on pace to meet the 1,629 MM BF 2024 goal.

• WoodWorks directly influenced 87 projects and indirectly influenced 332 projects in Q1. WoodWorks’ help desk services, complemented by an extensive range of webinars, resources, and events such as the International Mass Timber Conference, demonstrated its position as the go-to resource for support.

• SLB Education continues to play an important role in expanding market share for wood products among the next wave of AEC professionals by sponsoring student design competitions such as Timber in the City and hosting faculty workshops including the first one of 2024 at Oregon State University’s TallWood Design Institute.

• The American Wood Council is proposing code changes that would remove certain sealant/adhesive requirements in mass timber buildings, making mass timber more cost-competitive with other materials.

• Think Wood resources including the Mass Timber LookBook, 5 Mass Timber Higher Ed Projects That Pencil Out, and 13 Mass Timber Design Resources You Won’t Want to Miss produced 300 new contacts and 20 project leads sent to WoodWorks.

For more detail, comprehensive program updates, and additional SLB news, view the Q1 2024 Report. We always welcome industry feedback, which can be sent to info@softwoodlumberboard.org.

Access the Q1 Report in English

Access the Q1 Report in French

NEWs

US LBM Acquires Wisconsin Truss Manufacturer

National building materials distributor acquires Wisconsin’s Automated Products, Inc.

Madison, WI, July 05, 2024—US LBM, a leading distributor of specialty building materials in the United States, has acquired Automated Products, Inc. (API) a top manufacturer and supplier of structural building components located in Wisconsin.

Founded in 1964, API manufactures roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels and floor panels for commercial and residential builders throughout Wisconsin and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area from its state-of-the-art facility in Marshfield, Wis. Sean Kelly and John Dees will continue to lead API’s day-to-day operations.

“The team at API shares US LBM’s commitment to innovation and leveraging technology, which allows them to deliver superior value for residential and commercial builders throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest,” said US LBM President and CEO L.T. Gibson. “The addition of API expands US LBM’s already-strong structural component manufacturing capabilities and further enhances our support for customers across the Midwest.”

About US LBM

US LBM is the largest privately owned, full-line distributor of specialty building materials in the United States. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialty products, including windows, doors, millwork, wallboard, roofing, siding, engineered components and cabinetry, US LBM combines the scale and operational advantages of a national platform with a local go-to-market strategy through its national network of locations across the country. For more information, please visit www.uslbm.com or follow US LBM on LinkedIn.

NEWs

84 Lumber Chosen as a National Preferred Partner by David Weekley Homes

EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. (June 28, 2024) – 84 Lumber has been recognized on the 20th annual National Preferred Partner list by David Weekley Homes for the fifth year. The building supplier was selected out of 122 companies, making the list for 2024.

The annual award recognizes field and manufacturing partners for their consistent operation at world-class standards, as assessed by the home builder’s supplier evaluation platform. The evaluation process involves a comprehensive system of feedback and discussion that enables David Weekley Homes to measure excellence among all established trade partners and their channel partners. Based in Houston, Texas, David Weekley Homes operates in 19 cities across the U.S.

“84 Lumber has earned the distinction of National Preferred Partner for exemplifying high standards of quality and service,” said John Schiegg, vice president of supply chain services for David Weekley Homes. “Through this valuable partnership, we’re creating an incredible homebuying experience for our customers.”

David Weekley VP of Supply Chain Services John Schiegg, 84 Lumber VP of National Sales Billy Ball, and David Weekley Homes CEO John Johnson

Every year, David Weekley Homes awards the preferred partners who exceeded expectations the previous year. A total of 122 companies were evaluated this year, with 20 percent achieving the designation of National Preferred Partner. For the category honoring field partners as National Preferred Partners, the following were recognized: 84 Lumber; Acme Brick; Beacon; Contract Lumber; Electrolux; HomeTeam Pest Defense; Installed Building Products; L & W Supply; and Lanehart Electrical Contractors, among others.

“It is a tremendous honor to be chosen as a National Preferred Partner by David Weekley Homes for the fifth consecutive year,” said Billy Ball, vice president of national sales for 84 Lumber. “Working alongside David Weekley Homes has been an exceptional experience, and we take great pride in reciprocating the value that they have consistently provided to us throughout the years.”

84 Lumber is the leading supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates more than 320 facilities in 33 states and is continuing to grow. To learn more, visit www.84lumber.com or follow 84 Lumber on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About 84 Lumber

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Co. is the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 33 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products.

NEWs

David Weekley Homes Names Simpson Strong-Tie a National Preferred Partner for 2024

July 2, 2024 – Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, has earned David Weekley Homes’s prestigious “National Preferred Partner” designation for 2024. The 20th annual award recognizes the builder’s field and manufacturing partners that have consistently operated at world-class levels in quality and customer service.

“We’ve built our reputation on providing our customers with a high-quality home and an exceptional homebuying experience,” said John Schiegg, Vice President of Supply Chain Services for David Weekley Homes.

“As a National Preferred Partner, Simpson Strong-Tie has played a significant role in helping us achieve and maintain that reputation.”

Simpson Strong-Tie is one of just 13 manufacturers and 12 field partners to be recognized as a David Weekley Homes National Preferred Partner this year, out of 122 companies considered. The evaluation process involves a comprehensive system of feedback and discussion among the builder’s team members, designed to measure excellence among all established trade and channel partners. Providers that receive the highest scores throughout the year are presented with the National Preferred Partners Award.

“At Simpson Strong-Tie, relentless customer focus and high-quality products are two of our founder Barclay Simpson’s Nine Principles of Doing Business, so it’s truly rewarding to receive this recognition from David Weekley Homes and know that we are living up to our values in ways that truly support our builders,” said Nate Johnston, Vice President, National Accounts for Simpson Strong-Tie. “We’re honored to work with David Weekley Homes and are grateful to see that we’re exceeding their needs and contributing to their long-term success.”

This year marks the 18th time Simpson Strong-Tie has earned the National Preferred Partner award from David Weekley Homes.

John Shiegg (David Weekley Homes), David Smith (Simpson Strong-Tie), Chad Scuncio (Simpson Strong-Tie), and John Johnson (David Weekley Homes)

LMC Officially Launches Modular Division Following MHBG Integration

By Fran Monk, July 24, 2024—LMC, the leading Forest Products and Building Materials Buying Group in the US, is pleased to announce the official closing of its deal to integrate the Manufactured Housing Buyers Group (MHBG). This closing marks the official launch of LMC’s new Modular Division, a significant step in enhancing LMC’s market presence and service capabilities. This milestone builds upon the initial announcement made in April, highlighting LMC’s commitment to expanding its service offerings and strengthening its position in the building materials market. The new Modular Division will be led by Jay Wilson, former Chief Negotiator of MHBG, who now joins LMC as the Vice President of the Modular Division.

Paul Ryan, LMC President and CEO, stated, “This is a transformative moment for both LMC and MHBG. The official launch of our Modular Division signifies our dedication to diversifying our market segments and improving our collective purchasing power. We are excited to welcome Jay Wilson and the entire MHBG team to LMC, as we work together to drive growth and innovation.”

Jay Wilson, Vice President of the Modular Division at LMC, commented, “I am honored to join LMC and lead the Modular Division. Our members, known for their independent entrepreneurial spirit, will greatly benefit from the expanded resources and opportunities that LMC provides. Together, we will create a competitive environment that allows our members to thrive.”

David Jessup, Chairman of MHBG and Owner of Jessup Housing, remarked, “This partnership is a pivotal moment for MHBG members. With LMC’s extensive network and resources, we can enhance our purchasing capabilities, access premium suppliers, and implement innovative procurement strategies. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration brings.”

Furthermore, LMC is pleased to announce that David Jessup will become a member of the LMC Board of Directors. His extensive experience and insights will be invaluable as we navigate the future. With shared values of collaboration, innovation, and excellence, the integration of MHBG into LMC represents a united effort to navigate evolving market dynamics, mitigate supply chain risks, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. This strategic partnership underscores LMC’s commitment to empowering its members with enhanced procurement solutions, driving cost efficiencies, and fostering sustainable growth through diversification.

NEWs

ICC-ES Test Lab Now Equipped with Small-scale Furnace

New Supporting Services for Research and Development in the Fire Protection Industry Now Available in Bryan, TX Lab.

July 23, 2024, Bryan, TX – ICC-ES has announced the operation of a new small-scale furnace in their Bryan, TX test laboratory. The new equipment was brought in by ICC-ES in an effort to provide manufacturers and designers in the fire protection industry with greater support for the research and development (R&D) space.

The small-scale furnace, sized 7-ft x 7-ft x 7-ft, contains 3 pre-mixed, natural gas burners, a removable top and front face to permit testing of vertical and/or horizontal assemblies. This new equipment was designed as the ideal R&D equipment for tests in accordance with ASTM E119/UL 263, ASTM E814/UL1479, and ASTM E1966/ UL2079.

R&D testing in the small-scale furnace using ASTM E119/UL 263 will be available for non-load bearing floor/ceiling assemblies, non-load bearing wall assemblies and partitions, insulated steel beams and columns, and I-joists. R&D testing using ASTM E814/UL1479 will be available for firestop products, whereas testing using ASTM E1966/ UL2079 will be available for fire-resistant joint products and systems.

“As part of the International Code Council family, we are thrilled to offer this expanded fire testing service to support our customers in producing innovative and safe building products,” said Vice President of Building Products, Tracie Stanush.

ICC-ES labs have staff on-site to operate the furnace and install thermocouples either to the standard specifications or as directed by clients. Likewise, modifications to the test standard will be considered by ICC to ensure manufacturers are able to gather the information that is most important to them.

For more information, contact testlab@icc-es.org.

About ICC-ES

ICC-ES is the leading evaluation service for innovative building materials, components and systems. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs), Building Product Listings and PMG Listings provide evidence that products and systems meet requirements of codes and technical standards worldwide, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and the MENA region. ICC-ES is a member of the ICC family of solutions.

Advertiser Directory

MiTek USA www.mitek-us.com 800-325-8075 customerservice@mii.com

Panels Plus www.panplus.com 866-726-7587 tkaasa@panplus.com

ROGworx Automation www.ROGworx.com 707-333-4507 sales@ROGworx.com

Simpson Strong-Tie www.strongtie.com 800-999-5099 web@strongtie.com

Spida Machinery USA www.spida.com 866-647-7771 sales@spida.com

todd@todd-drummond.com

gregory.bates@westfraser.com

Truss Designer J15339

Posted on Thursday, August 01, 2024

Employer: Client Confidential

We seek Truss Designers to join our client's team and support their New England office. In this role, you will design various truss products, focusing on floor and roof trusses for single-family custom projects. Experience with MiTek software is highly desirable, and panel experience, while not required, is a valuable asset.

Truss Designer J15312

Posted on Thursday, August 01, 2024

Employer: Client Confidential

Nestled in the serene landscapes of Central Florida, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, their location offers a picturesque setting with abundant lakes, perfect for boating, fishing, and outdoor enthusiasts. (Iused to live there and know it is truer) If you appreciate the balance between work and the great outdoors, you've found the right place.

Our client, located in Florida, is seeking two Truss Designers. Remote is acceptable if you live in Florida, Alabama, or Georgia as they are able to offer benefits if you live in one of these three states.

Truss & Wall Panel Designer 201130-1

Posted on Friday, April 12, 2024

Employer: Woodhaven Lumber

Located in central coastal NJ is a growing truss and wall panel manufacturer looking for an experienced truss & wall panel designer. The ideal candidate would be local to our central NJ market, but remote design is also a possibility. Previous experience with the Mitek suite of software is a plus.

Software Territory Sales

Representative – Component Manufacturers J15336

Posted on Monday, April 08, 2024

Employer: Client Confidential

You want to be an important member of a strong team of other makers who take pride in their work and support each other. As a Territory Sales Representative (TSR) – Component Manufacturing, you will be responsible for growing Truss sales in the Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Northern Arkansas Territory while creating and maintaining effective relationships with component manufacturing customers. Your goal for these relationships will be to promote the company's software suite and related hardware products. This encompasses job management, design and analysis for prefabricated metal plate connected wood trusses and engineered wood products. You will coordinate with and contribute to the overall branch and company efforts to profitably grow our business. You will also lead and participate in training sessions/workshops in and out of the territory. These workshops require scheduling, promotion, setup, presentation, and take-down, as well as providing observation and suggestions for improvement. You will work with Regional Sales Managers, Product Management, Marketing, and other TSRs to develop/coordinate sales strategies and programs; and communicate appropriate market trends and field intelligence to provide to Management and Operations to ensure customer satisfaction. If career growth is important to you, we not only know how to help you with that, it’s what we love to do.

Attention Off-Shore Designers

Place your ad here In the Hiring Zone Subcontract

Designers Available Section

Single Contract Designers Only

List your Contract Design Service Here

Contact

Thomas McAnally twm@componentadvertiser.com

SUBCONTRACT DESIGNERS AVAILABLE

Remote Contract

Truss Designer - MiTek Exp.

Part-Time / Full Time

Employer to Candidate Direct Hiring No Recruiting Fees!

Post your Opportunity... Candidates respond directly to you!

We offer a competitive salary, paid holidays, paid time off, medical/dental/ life/disability insurance, 401k and profit sharing.

I design & layout roof trusses, floor trusses, I-Joists and EWP from PDF plans and specifications for pricing. Also engineering using MiTek, and uploads to Management or MBA. Once sold and field measurements are provided, I can update the project and clean up the layouts and trusses to be ready for the shop. Most of my projects are single family tract and custom, but I have also done several small apartments, hotels, assisted living centers, and other commercial projects. I have 2+ years experience and scored above 6 years on JobLine's Skills test. References are available. Email Tom contracttrussdesign@gmail.com

For Additional Information Contact: twm@componentadvertiser.org or Call 800-289-5627 x1

For Rates and Posting, visit our website: www.componentadvertiser. com/Hiring-Zone For

Maximize production with integrated off-site technologies

Increase the productivity of your component manufacturing operation with the latest off-site solutions and prefabrication technology. From software that manages many aspects of your business to machinery that maximizes your output, MiTek is committed to the growth of your business and the industry. Together, we’re unlocking the power of off-site construction. Together, we are innovating to meet the needs of an evolving market. Are you ready to maximize productivity of your operation? Talk to a MiTek Representative to get started.

MII.COM/CM

Joe Kannapell, P.E.

TheLastWord

The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Big Truss Plants

The way it was – In 1986, as Dick Rotto embarked on a nationwide expansion, he admonished his salesforce, “Trussway will never have another plant as big as our Houston location.” Rotto’s warning came at a time when there wasn’t enough business in the entire state of Texas to fill that plant. And this near depression in Texas came after Trussway had weathered two prior downturns.

Twenty years later, Gifford Shaw taunted his nearby competitor, “Bob, I was driving down the Interstate, and I saw that General Motors was coming to town.” Gifford was mocking Bob Jones’ outsized 300’ x 400’ truss plant building, the largest greenfield expansion in the Eastern U.S. Although it was well equipped, Bob’s business succumbed to the 2008 recession, even after a 60-year run in the prosperous Carolinas. Yet, two contrary examples arose during the same period.

The way it is becoming – In the late 1990s, NVR built a 300’ x 400’ facility, understanding that, even in lean years, they would build enough houses to sustain it. And in 2006, Shelter Systems followed suit nearby, recognizing that they had tapped only a fraction of the multi-family market. Both relied on their 30-year track records operating in the recession-resistant DC–Baltimore–Northern Virginia market, using their experience to shape their new facilities. For example, Shelter moved all of their raw material inside their new structure and devised an automated bunk-to-saw handling system (which I’ll discuss in more detail next month). Shelter’s owner, Joe Hikel, concluded that his company would not have survived the severe 2008 downturn in their old quarters. In NVR’s case, their expansion was part of a new multi-plant model that is worth examining.

NVR is emulating, inadvertently, Carroll Shoffner’s “mother-ship” model of truss plant operations that he perfected 50 years ago. Shoffner centralized all overhead functions at his Burlington, North Carolina headquarters, including corporate management, accounting, and human relations. All truss design and shop paperwork was prepared there and dispatched by courier to his 14 plants. The size of his satellite plants depended on the size of the market they were serving. So, in the prosperous DC–Baltimore market that they shared with NVR, Shelter, and others, Shoffner purchased the 150,000 sq ft former Ryland plant. But in rural Fishersville, Virginia, Shoffner built a minimally sized structure, which was even small enough he could operate it without installing sprinklers.

Of course the centralization saves money, but there are additional benefits. NVR and other multi-plant facilities, including Universal Forest Products Inc. (UFPI) who purchased Shoffner’s facilities in 1998, can use their headquarters staff and facility to train future plant managers. There they can evaluate new hires and send the best of them out to the satellites when they are ready. UFPI follows a similar prudent expansion plan as their predecessor. However, when called for, none of these CMs hesitate to acquire Class A facilities.

The big get even bigger – A new paradigm for plant designs is emerging with the advent of material handling systems. These typically feed a single-sided gantry system and require much more width perpendicular to truss tables. Sunpro’s Utah plant shown here includes a 5-bin Hundegger Ejection Cross Conveyor system serving a 100 ft long truss line. Note that each bin contains the cut parts for a single truss and is equipped with a retractable stop to maintain separation between adjacent trusses. This provides a considerable buffer of work behind truss builders. However, a great deal of floor space is required, and when combined with the truss table and its side-eject conveyor, it occupies a space of nearly 100 ft. Accommodating Sunpro’s three truss lines requires a building 300 ft wide.

Few existing truss plant buildings are wide enough to easily accommodate Vekta, MiTek, or Hundegger conveyance systems. So, as these systems prove themselves, more big buildings will be required to house them, raising the cost of entry into the truss business, but also raising the quality of the work environment and the product.