Library

Anna Stamm

Advertiser Forum: The Hardest Days of Our Lives

Anna Stamm

Anyone who reads my column knows I’m always looking for the bright side in a challenge and the lesson that can be learned. Unfortunately, sometimes there is no bright side for us, and the lesson is merely that life is too short and too bittersweet. For My Sister, Susan When I left...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 6
Joe Kannapell

Home Building Technology, Part I: Wall Panel Beginnings

Joe Kannapell

As we start 2025, we have surpassed the 125th year of offsite wall technology, so it seems fitting to return to the beginning and describe its early progression. Surprisingly, this includes the Ready-Frame® technology that is currently being marketed by Builders FirstSource, as well as the...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 10
Wendy Boyd

Full Steam Ahead for 2025 with Spida

Wendy Boyd

It’s no secret that 2024 brought a number of challenges for the construction sector across the world. However, as I’m writing this, I’m reflecting with pride how the expertise, hard work, and adaptability of our team ensured we continued to deliver high-quality machinery with...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 19
Todd Drummond

Ten Commandments for Improvement

Todd Drummond

As we all start the New Year, we see the road ahead and the challenges we must face. This is part of the life experience: as time moves forward, markets change, and competition will always try to take what you have built. Many difficulties may look daunting, but with the right attitude, we can...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 28
Glenn Traylor

Does Your Design Software Always Make the Best Selection of Materials to Use?

Glenn Traylor

Truss design software simply uses the lumber inventory to determine the least expensive solution when designing a truss simply based on price. Although this is a convenient function, there are several issues the software does not consider – and for these issues a designer should be making...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 37
Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

The Art of a Lumber PickLine

Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Of course, if you’re starting a truss plant from the ground up, it’s a snap to include an Enventek Lumber PickLine in your plans. The real beauty of the Lumber PickLine, however, is that it can be easily configured for existing truss plants – whether inside the plant or outside...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 46
Stephen Keller, PE

Penetrating the Shallow Depth Floor Market: How Posi-Strut® Can Be Your Best Solution

Stephen Keller, PE

In today’s light-frame construction market, wood web floor trusses are commonly used in many multifamily projects. Builders, structural engineers, and general contractors often view wood web trusses as the default floor system for projects requiring 18 inches or greater depth. However,...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 54
Ed Serrano

Free Your Mind, Free Your Factory: The Hidden Upside of Lean Frame Manufacturing

Ed Serrano

What do a former First Lady and today’s most forward-thinking frame fabricators have in common? More than you might think. Consider this quote, “The more we simplify our material needs, the more we are free to think of other things” – Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 64
Casey Harless

Building on Better with Advanced Automation

Casey Harless

The beginning of a new year is a great time to consider optimizing your production line, and Stiles Machinery is here to help. Stiles has been at the forefront of the United States woodworking industry for over six decades, partnering with manufacturers to provide efficiency-focused solutions...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 70
Carl Villella

Artificial Intelligence in the Equipment Finance Industry

Carl Villella

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been getting a lot of attention lately. While many of us are still trying to wrap our hands around its many pros and cons, we would like to let you know how it’s affecting our business specifically. Improving Customer Service—The AI chatbots can...

#17306 Cover image
January 2025
Issue #17306
Page 79
12

Search By Keyword

Issues

Book icon Read Our Current Issue

Download Current Issue PDF