Todd Drummond

Being Aware of Lost Productivity

Todd Drummond

Our perception forms what we think is the “true” reality, and our reality is always biased based on preconceived ideas, limited perspectives, and the big one of protecting our ego. So, how willing are you to review your area of responsibility for improvement beyond what you...

#17310 Cover image
May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 28
Ed Serrano

Optimizing Every Inch: Why Space Utilization Matters in Frame & Truss Manufacturing

Ed Serrano

Imagine a factory floor where every square foot contributes to efficiency and productivity. That’s the power of lean manufacturing: a philosophy centered on maximizing value and eliminating waste. In the fast-paced world of prefabricated frames and trusses, space optimization isn’t...

#17310 Cover image
May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 62
Daniel Fothke

Revolutionizing Construction: The Future of Automation in Off-Site Building Practices

Daniel Fothke

The construction industry is on the brink of a significant evolution, propelled by the integration of automation in off-site construction practices. This shift is not merely a trend but a necessary response to the growing demands for efficiency, quality, and sustainability in building...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 78
Todd Drummond

Proper Time Management is Essential for Proactive Management Best Practices

Todd Drummond

When it comes to the daily tasks of any executive, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to implement everything that needs to be done. From sales to troubleshooting, there are constant interruptions in your day that keep you from accomplishing those goals you tell yourself need...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 28
Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Giant Kanban!

Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Kanban systems are designed for “just in time” workflow to optimize production efficiency and inventory levels. The Enventek Lumber PickLine is essentially a “Giant Kanban System” designed to improve lumber handing and to efficiently cull lumber away from the saws. Did...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 46
Ed Serrano

A Fork in the Road

Ed Serrano

“My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.” (— You, probably) It’s a common refrain from recent automation adopters, and you might just find yourself saying it one day. So, what makes that initial step feel like such a big leap and not just another step...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 54
Steve Shrader

Labor Tweaks Won’t Save Manufacturing—Automation Will

Steve Shrader

Manufacturing, in truss production, means transforming lumber and plates into engineered components through machinery, labor, and precise processes. In 2025, it’s more than labor—it’s automation. Some cling to the old beat, stacking bodies and tuning schedules as if headcounts...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 62
Kathryn Pedde

Hardware + Software Integration with JAX, The Wood Retriever

Kathryn Pedde

When we started down the path of creating the JAX automated retrieval system, it had to work with our existing saws from three different suppliers. So, one of our first tasks was to bring their disparate cutting files into a common format to feed JAX. We also had to bring the sequence of jobs...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 92
Steph Karlstad

Built Over Time, Not Overnight: Why Truss Plant Owners Must Lead Through the Next Season

Steph Karlstad

You don’t wake up one day and decide to start a truss plant. This kind of business isn’t a side hustle. It’s not something you launch from a playbook. A successful truss plant is built slowly—through long hours, tight margins, and a steady stream of challenges most people...

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April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 106
Geordie Secord

Design Connections: Fewer Inspections = Better Quality?

Geordie Secord

“What do you mean you are stopping the QC inspections?” I could not believe what the operations manager was telling me when it was decided that we would no longer have each truss inspected at completion. Our truss company had always prided itself on delivering the highest quality...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 124
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