Generally speaking, ANSI/TPI 1 makes common sense and is very logical. However, there are several items that can be a little confusing because they seem to defy logic. When we upgrade lumber per ANSI/TPI 1 Section 3.4.2, we know that lumber strength needs to be maintained in order to meet the...

The offsite manufacturing sector stands poised for transformative growth. Innovations in automation, lean manufacturing, and prefabrication are reshaping the way we build. Yet amidst all this change, one critical element demands urgent attention: Our workforce. Across the industry, leaders...

My introduction to the world of wood trusses didn’t begin in the air-conditioned comfort of an office. Instead, I started out building trusses, spending my days walking in circles around a C-clamp press. I had taken the job as a summer student, hoping to make money for university. In...

Managing a truss with multiple pieces can affect productivity. For example, maintaining compliance with ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 3 requirements for nearly thirty pieces can be challenging. To improve cycle time while preserving quality, using sub-components may be a practical solution. Most likely,...

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...

What do you think of when you hear the word “training”? A classroom with students listening to a teacher? A truss plant with a new hire following behind a seasoned truss builder? Or, maybe your first thought was sitting in front of a computer for an online course? The truth is that...

As Triad celebrates 65 years in this great industry, we’re finalizing the plans for our 16th Annual Trade Show! The event is being held on April 9–10 at Merrick Machine Company in Alda, Nebraska. Our product showcase will feature our latest machines, including the PreStage Framing...

Any given fall Sunday, we get to watch our favorite football team and, if we understand the sport, we can see what they do well and where they are lacking. Each game is full of statistics, and the statistics tell us where our team ranks in relation to previous games, other teams, past years, and...

In 1995, the MSR Workshop was born out of one man’s commitment to fulfilling what he saw as a real need to bring together those who produce MSR lumber, those who sell MSR lumber, and those who use MSR lumber, in order to develop a better understanding of each other’s challenges and...

What is at risk when we fail to use the correct lumber? If you are not careful, it could cost you your business. [For all images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] Several years ago, I received a call from a client searching for a solution to a problem. Unfortunately, their purchasing...