In our first installment last month, Sharing Information Without Constraint, we explored the constraints around information sharing in today’s rapid-paced construction cycle. Material prices are high, interest rates are low, and business is booming. But, this rapid pace doesn’t...

Over the past few years that I’ve worked as an engineer for Simpson Strong-Tie in Texas, work-related events have brought me to a few great beach destinations: Clearwater and Destin, Florida, to name a few. But tightly packed schedules always left me feeling like I didn’t get to...

Our industry has always been heavily reliant on information and details from our customers. Sometimes a customer is a homeowner, building designer, an architect, or even an engineer. A common constraint for many truss fabricators across the country is the lack of accurate or timely information....

Every time a company is ready to manufacture a wall panel project, they need to ensure the design specifications are reviewed and approved by all parties involved. A large panel project can go through many changes from the original design specifications. A gap in communication between invested...

Hurricane season is in full swing, and we’ve had a record number of named storms to date. With each one, Mother Nature has taken the opportunity to remind us of her awesome power and teach us how we can improve our built environment in preparation for the next. One of the lessons...

Our industry is continuously changing—there is no denying this fact. There is always a hot topic that gives birth to new buzzwords which gain popularity and begin trending. One of the latest examples is “Off Site Construction.” Everyone has heard it and, like many things in our...

How can a “Back-to-Business” plan help communities and business owners recover after a damaging event? In this guest article, David Cocke, S.E., explores the history of “B2B” programs and how they help expedite the inspection process so owners can get back to normal...

As we continue our series on better tools for wall panel design, it’s time to explore our Edit Framing feature. In today’s industry, there are no easy jobs. Project complexity has increased steadily over the past several years. The need to be able to quickly review panels and edit on...

Simpson Strong-Tie has always been a leader in designing innovative products for various construction markets. As an R&D engineer, I enjoy the opportunities for continuous exploring, experimenting and learning that come with my role. There’s never a dull moment working in research and...

This month, we’re continuing our series on better tools for wall panel design and exploring our Break/Review process. Walls are just walls until they are broken into PANELS. Similar to the way trusses are just profiles until they are designed, the same is true for walls. Beginning with...