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I get it—people are BUSY. I know life is jam-packed with all kinds of commitments and time constraints. Sometimes, we just don’t know how we’re going to finish all of the essential things we have to do, much less the optional activities. That’s the primary reason why I...

Part Four:  Apartment Trends of the 1990s and Beyond What was true in the Nineties is just as true today, that large apartment jobs can crowd out single family orders. But with the proper mix of work, a plant can achieve more steady production. Since 1993 was nearly as dire as 2010, most...

This month continues our review of equipment for roof trusses as we take a look at Roof Truss Tables and Roof Truss Conveyors. Next month, we’ll wrap up our four months on roof truss production before moving over to walls. As I’ve been doing since beginning this series in January,...

As an industry, there are many times I believe we have been behind the curve in adopting/taking on new technology or hardware in our operations. Over the past 15 years or so, we have seen incredible growth in the use of automation, software, etc., but other industries have far exceeded the...

Everyone knows that member gaps can be caused by uncalibrated saws and poor jigging stops during truss set-up. But did you know the most likely cause of member gaps is the lumber carriage shifting or moving the lumber at an angle, thereby causing a skewed cut? This is especially true when a gang...

Most people have a mistaken belief that my services are all about making component manufacturing more efficient. Actually, more than half my time during a consultation is taken up reviewing things like management practices and the sales process. Fact is, sales—correction, healthy...

Generally, building design refers to the broadly based architectural, engineering, and technical applications to the design of buildings. Therefore, all building projects require the services of a building designer. Statutorily, the required credentials of a building’s designer vary from...

Two kinds of designers are involved in home construction—design professionals responsible for the structure and the interior-focused designers responsible for the final appearance. Although these roles can overlap, it is important for design professionals to be aware of in-service demands...

Not too long ago, before remote design was an option, relocation was one of the best ways in our industry to advance. Candidates, who were ready to take the next step in their career but were stuck in their job for many reasons, would look for better opportunities by changing companies,...

Wood is the go-to material for builders in the U.S., where we have some of the highest construction standards in the world. Why? It’s easy to build with, strong, safe, and renewable. It’s also the right material for our planet since wood allows for a smaller carbon footprint than...