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When I read about Hilton taking their “first” step into modular, in another publication a few weeks ago, it hit me.  My dad, a commercial modular pioneer, always told me that what was once old is new again — and that was never more true than thinking about this step and...

At the American Wood Council (AWC), we celebrate the role wood products play in our lives every day. However, once a year, the rest of the nation has the opportunity to join us and commemorate the importance of forest products during the third week of October. During National Forest Products...

Blocking or boundary member? In my experience traveling across the country observing wood-framed construction, it was apparent that east of the Rocky Mountains, structural wood members in-line with supporting walls between roof framing cease to be installed. Some may call these wood members...

Fired or laid off? Naturally you’re worried, as I was when I faced both predicaments. After being fired I was doubly worried when my boss told me, “You now have 3 strikes against you, and should find something else to do.” I listened to that advice, landed on my two feet, while...

Mistake. Accident. Faux pas. Fubar. They happen to all of us. Sometimes, they make us angry. Sometimes, they make us want to cry. Fortunately, sometimes, they can also make us laugh. When to See the Humor When something goes wrong, our natural reaction is be upset. We also may feel...

Part XIV: Whole House Launched Pacing nervously outside the truss office, our best software “brain” was physically sick. Another failed demo could end his career. He worried because, after 6 frustrating years, our $50 Million OptiFrame program may not be ready for primetime. And...

October is right around the corner and that means cooler weather, Halloween, turning of the leaves, football, and the BCMC. As much as I would love to talk to you about all of these things, this article will stick to the most important and my favorite one….football. Okay, after a...

One of the most important effects of the Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC) is that it brings people together in one place for a few days each fall. In this digital age, being in the same building with this many friends and colleagues presents countless opportunities! From...

I really enjoy local county fairs and local attractions, because they give us an opportunity to see cool things from the past or something related to the area (and our fair has fresh roasted corn!). Recently at our local fair, the Stanwood Fair, I walked into a building showcasing tools used by...

At a recent TPI 3rd Party Audit, the In-Plant Inspector (IPI) and I were inspecting trusses coming off the line as is normal in an audit. A stacked truss caught my eye, mainly because the top plate did not line up with the plate on the opposite side of the truss. Upon careful examination, indeed...