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As I began my spring backyard clean-up in the same place where I always start, a story about my grandfather’s annual effort to paint his house came to mind. Is it right that we always start in the same place? Would a different approach be beneficial this time, or next time? More Work...

A second sales pro reacted to Jim Urmson’s Florida saw blitz, the redoubtable (now deceased) Jere Broedling. Few knew Florida CMs better than Jere, first as Gang Nail’s sales manager, then as Bemax salesman, and finally as a MiTek rep. Like Randy Yost, he relentlessly prodded his...

Starting in the maintenance field in the mid-1980s was an eye opener for me, to say the least I was very green. The manager of the truss plant could see I had mechanical aptitude and was driven to learn – but he also saw that I had no practical experience about troubleshooting machinery....

What a ride it has been for the vast majority of the component manufacturing (CM) for wood trusses and wall panels in North America the past few years. The demand for new homes outpaced the supply capacity of most homebuilders and those who suppy them. This record-breaking rate of building...

Who is the most important person in your truss operation? The designer who creates the projects? The guy who signs the check? Without sales there is no business, so is it sales? Let’s make an argument for someone you might take for granted. There is a person who looks at every job –...

Our industry is experiencing unprecedented times. Never before has production capacity been at such a premium. We have seen different markets get active in the past but nothing like this. Right now in the United States, manufacturers can’t keep up with the demand for metal plate connected...

In business today, it is necessary to be agile and responsive to change. But, to have that real edge – the ability to truly set yourself apart – you need to be unique. Your solutions need to define I-N-N-O-V-A-T-I-O-N. As a company, Vekta defines innovation. By reviewing how the...

The Federal Reserve Bank approved its first interest rate hike since December 2018 at their meeting in March. The interest rate hike was 0.25%. In an effort to fight inflation, the Fed indicated an aggressive path ahead, indicating that there will be rate rises at each of their six remaining...

In 2002, our company was responsible for outfitting a complete component plant in Asia where we learned the true value of the statement, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The visual nature of lasers bridged an absolute language barrier between our team and the local folks who...

The late Cheryl Shepard, with the support of Rob and Gene Frogale, proved that wall panels could be successful on their own merit, unaccompanied by trusses. Her hard work and dedication went a long way toward disproving the long-held belief that trusses were the key moneymaker. Amazingly she and...