Design teams are made up of people, and as we know, people can drive profits or create costly errors. When your design team is a mix of seasoned and newer individuals, and you add off-shore or subcontract service providers, understanding their individual skill levels becomes essential. Do you...

JobLine periodically updates our compensation calculator, and while I expect some surprises, this time, I was truly taken aback. Recent candidates have reported significantly higher compensation at their previous employers than we’ve seen for job postings. I’ve attributed this to...

Last month, I attended a seminar that sparked my interest in the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) in business. The event was held at an arts-focused hotel in Louisville, KY, during a company retreat my wife, an executive at the local hospital, was attending. One of the sessions...

In the past, businesses prided themselves on exceptional customer service, especially in addressing warranty claims and service lapses promptly and effectively. Unfortunately, recent years, particularly since COVID, have seen a significant decline in this vital aspect of business. Take, for...

If you are production oriented, I’m betting that you have frequently looked at your watch, phone, or computer to see what time it was. Time is a precious commodity, especially when you are supporting production. When I was a kid, first starting out in manufacturing as a sweeper, and came...

When we were young, we often said, “I want to own that.” Whether it was a new car, a boat, or a specific type of computer, owning something had significant meaning. We felt a sense of accomplishment when we attained something we desired. As we grew older, some of us were inspired to...

As a manufacturing manager, you understand the importance of having a skilled and efficient design team. If you’ve encountered our Truss Design Skills Evaluation, you know its thoroughness in assessing truss designers. This evaluation measures skills and experience across nine key areas...

For over 30 years, I’ve been placing truss designers with companies for full and part-time employment. In all of that time, I have not placed 1099 subcontractors. Back in the day, this included candidates looking for a remote job, who were out of work, or who simply wanted to make a little...

You’ve likely been inundated with resumes and applications from independent offshore truss designers boasting software proficiency, estimating, takeoff, and design skills. Many highlight their experience with US and Canadian employers, often presenting themselves as part of a team of...

Reflecting on the journey of building my on-site home versus years of off-site manufacturing, several insights have surfaced. While many may hesitate to do it again, I remain optimistic. Why the enthusiasm? Because every challenge I faced was met with a manufacturing mindset honed by the...