Far More Than Simple Cost Saving with TDC Time Standards Used with Paragon and AppWright Todd Drummond Last month’s article, “Pure Online Magic with Paragon, TDC Time Standards, and AppWright Job Management,”introduced the new and powerful synergy of Paragon and AppWright, which includes the TDC time standards offering. TDC time standards (R.E., S.U., or Man-Hours based on time... Read More October 2025 Issue #17315 Page 28
Hiring-Zone.com: A New Platform Connecting Employers, Job Seekers, and Contractors in the Building Components Industry The building components industry has always relied on people—skilled truss designers, estimators, plant managers, contractors, and subcontractors who understand the pace and complexity of modern construction. Finding those people, however, has often been a challenge. Generic job boards are... Read More October 2025 Issue #17315 Page 104
Design Connections: Training vs. Experience: What Really Builds a Great Designer? Geordie Secord When it comes to building a strong component design team, there’s always a debate: is it better to hire someone inexperienced but with some formal training such as college or technical school, or someone with years of hands-on experience? The truth is, both matter—but not always in... Read More October 2025 Issue #17315 Page 110
CS Producerâ„¢ – A Modern Approach to Truss Production & Management Simpson Strong-Tie Staff We live in a world of ever-changing schedules and demands. Nowhere is this truer than in truss production and management. Tracking each phase of production is critical to success. Enter CS Producer™, a new cloud-based application that gives floor and roof truss manufacturers powerful tools... Read More October 2025 Issue #17315 Page 124
Pure Online Magic with Paragon, TDC Time Standards, and AppWright Job Management Todd Drummond If you want to give your company a new competitive edge while reducing costs and improving profitability, then you’ll want to hear what TDC has connected using Paragon and AppWright. Coming this October at BCMC, find out how your company can reduce costs, improve your manufacturing... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 26
Designers are Stirring, But Employers Remain Cautious Over the past several weeks, recruiting activity in the truss and wall panel design space has picked up in a way that’s hard to ignore. More design professionals are registering on The JobLine and exploring opportunities. The increase is not overwhelming—skilled candidates are still... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 114
Optimism, Pessimism, and Missed Opportunities in Our Industry Geordie Secord In this business, timing is everything. Whether you’re running a component manufacturing company or looking for your next job opportunity, the question often comes down to this: are you a buyer or are you a seller? A few years ago, my son-in-law’s family—who’ve run a... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 120
Lean Manufacturing Only Works with the Best Employee Management Practices Todd Drummond Anyone with any training in lean practice has heard of standard terms such as the Five “S” and “Just in Time.” What is not discussed often enough is that lean principles are based on healthy management and employee relations, which is the foundation of the... Read More August 2025 Issue #17313 Page 26
What a Flight on Japan Airlines Taught Me About Visual Safety Culture Ben Hershey On a recent trip from Seattle to Vietnam via Tokyo, I flew on Japan Airlines and was struck by more than just the exceptional hospitality. What stood out most was their disciplined safety culture, specifically how their flight attendants conducted safety checks. As they walked the cabin before... Read More August 2025 Issue #17313 Page 52
Designer Hiring Blues in the Summer It’s August. The heat is relentless, the humidity unforgiving, and your design team is running as hot as a NASCAR pit crew in Alabama. Project timelines are tight, customer expectations are high, and every minute counts. So when someone suggests bringing in a new designer, it can feel like... Read More August 2025 Issue #17313 Page 98