Thom McAnally

Navigating Productivity Improvement Programs: The Vital Role of a Change Agent

In manufacturing, continuous process improvement is critical to maintaining profits and quality. Transforming and enhancing operations, however, demands more than good intentions; it requires a dedicated change agent focused on ensuring the program is implemented and ingrained into ongoing plant...

#16294 Cover image
January 2024
Issue #16294
Page 72
Todd Drummond

Four Examples of Process Improvement Considerations

Todd Drummond

Right now, many CMs are waking up to the increased pressures of a slowing home-building market, and all the capital investments they have made are just not going to be enough because all their competition has done the same. Now that the new build season is ramping up to full swing, the ones who...

#15287 Cover image
June 2023
Issue #15287
Page 27
Todd Drummond

Will ‘Too Little, Too Late’ Define Your Company?

Todd Drummond

Building history facts: Before the 2008 financial crash, there were about 2,100 wood truss and wall panel component manufacturing (CM) companies across North America. The vast majority of the locations were independently owned and operated. When the worst of the effects of the recession finally...

#15286 Cover image
May 2023
Issue #15286
Page 27
Rob Bellian

Wall Fabrication Solutions from Vekta

Rob Bellian

Skills shortages, increased costs, margin pressures, and continued demand for new builds across the housing market have in recent years accelerated the focus on automating the prefabrication of lumber wall frames, roof trusses, and lumber floors. Today, the prefabrication of lumber wall frames...

#15286 Cover image
May 2023
Issue #15286
Page 50
Todd Drummond

A Message of Caution to New Component Manufacturers

Todd Drummond

This message is for the new component manufacturers (CM) who have recently and will shortly be entering the component manufacturing industry for wood trusses or wall panels. First, welcome to the industry – it is very rewarding, but I must caution you about this new endeavor. It is not for...

#15285 Cover image
April 2023
Issue #15285
Page 25
Rob Bellian

Backwards Compatibility: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Investment

Rob Bellian

Backwards compatibility is a feature that allows newer versions of software or hardware to successfully work with older versions. This point came to mind during my recent visit to one of our long-time Vekta customers. This plant in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, Australia has been operating...

#15285 Cover image
April 2023
Issue #15285
Page 54
Glenn Traylor

Does Your Plant Have a Culture of Quality?

Glenn Traylor

Quality, productivity, and speed are intertwined and impact each other. My previous article, Where is Your Focus on Manufacturing?, emphasizes that improving quality starts with implementation of the ANSI/TPI 1 standard—and, with that process, you will improve proficiency and speed. The...

#15284 Cover image
March 2023
Issue #15284
Page 35
Todd Drummond

Including Meaningful Process Improvement on Your Capital Investment Checklist

Todd Drummond

Time and time again, TDC has witnessed too many companies spending millions on capital investments to achieve marginal improvements while others spend far less and achieve spectacular results. It may feel obvious that adding a saw or auto-puck table will significantly enhance output, but the...

#14279 Cover image
October 2022
Issue #14279
Page 24
Todd Drummond

Detailed Process for Implementing an Effective Labor Incentive Program

Todd Drummond

One of my clients’ most often asked questions is, “How exactly do we track and implement an incentive program?” Most companies are willing to pay their manufacturing employees more wages (incentives) based on greater output. Yet, the vast majority of wood truss component...

#14274 Cover image
May 2022
Issue #14274
Page 35
Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Debunking the “Automation Takes Too Much Space” Myth

Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Can you spot the Lumber PickLine in the satellite image? Contrary to the myth that it will “take up too much space,” a lumber PickLine can actually save space by utilizing existing truck lanes and by following existing forklift flow. For example, this outside PickLine has ample 35 ft...

#14274 Cover image
May 2022
Issue #14274
Page 54
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