Welcome to 2025! This year isn’t just another page on the calendar — it’s a pivotal season for growth and strategic foresight. Are you prepared for the economic shifts, interest rate impacts, and key market drivers that could shape your business strategy? When you’re tuned into industry patterns and trends, you’re positioned to make smarter decisions about new structures, capital investments, and long-term forecasts.
With 26 years of industry experience, I’ve had the privilege of working at Midwest Manufacturing, leading 12 Truss Divisions in various locations across the U.S. Over the years, I’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to navigate and lead in this industry. One key takeaway? Companies that stay focused on the bigger picture are best equipped to anticipate and adapt to external shifts that affect their business year after year. By driving daily cost reductions and fostering strong industry relationships, these companies create a proactive, growth-focused culture that stays ahead of change rather than reacting to it.
In addition to leading operational excellence, I’ve been a pioneer in material handling systems and robotics, collaborating with multiple vendors and fostering growth alongside them. This hands-on experience with automation and innovation has allowed me to drive efficiency, streamline production, and implement solutions that future-proof business operations.
My mission is to help truss plant owners, builders, and industry leaders stay ahead of the curve. By focusing on strategic planning, operational excellence, and proactive decision-making, I’m here to ensure you’re prepared for every challenge and opportunity that 2025 has to offer. Let’s take a look at the critical factors every truss plant owner should have on their radar this year.
Key Market Drivers to Watch
Interest Rates — Stay ahead by understanding how rate changes impact new housing starts and large development projects.
Tax Changes on New Facilities — Don’t get caught off guard; understand what’s available to you.
Material and Technology Advancements — Technology moves fast, and new materials and automation tools can change how you design and produce trusses. Stay informed and ahead of your competitors.
Demand Trends — Where is the demand highest? Which regions are growing? Knowing this will drive your production strategy.
Market Segmentation — Understand which customers and project types to prioritize.
The Opportunity is Now
The U.S. faces a shortage of over 4 million housing units. There aren’t enough truss plants, builders, or developers to keep pace. Housing affordability is also a major issue, with first-time buyers unable to enter the market due to high costs. Meanwhile, the aging home market presents renovation opportunities.
Homes are no longer timeless. Trends evolve faster than ever, and the 8-foot flat ceiling ranch home with a simple 30’ 4/12 truss is an example of a design that could make a comeback for cost-conscious buyers.
Production Solutions for 2025
To grow production capacity and meet demand, your plant must produce more board feet of trusses daily and streamline jobsite efficiency. Builders can’t afford to wait. So, how do you achieve this?
Train from Within (1, 2, 3, 4 Method) — Your top designers are already within your team. In the truss industry, it’s common for individuals to grow with the business before eventually leading their own.
Design Smarter Trusses — The first step to boosting production is optimizing truss design for cost and efficiency. Trusses should be designed to reduce material waste and assembly time.
Eliminate Bottlenecks — Assess your material flow. Where are the delays? Where is labor standing idle? Where do mistakes repeat? Every point of inefficiency adds cost. The goal is to identify choke points and ask one key question: “How do I take costs out?” It doesn’t take a lot, and small shifts matter.
Are You Ready for 2025?
To succeed, you’ve got to understand how these economic factors will affect your business. Running a truss plant is like playing chess — every move you make has a ripple effect on your income statement. Smart moves create growth; poor moves cost you time and money.
Plan ahead, leverage your team, and move with intention. Growth is here — are you ready to capture it?
If you’d like help preparing for 2025, reach out to me at steph@lft-strategies.com. Together, we’ll build the foundation for your long-term success.