Sixty Years of Machines, Part II: A Pressing Issue Joe Kannapell Why reflect on the oft-derided C-Clamp as it fades into truss industry oblivion? Because it holds the world record for truss production, unmatched yet, even by robots. And although it debuted half a century ago, its design has never been equaled. And remarkably, this deceptively simple machine... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 10
The Last Word: The Last Word on Panelization – Floor Panels are Coming Joe Kannapell Framing a house in one day will require floor panels, or “cassettes” in modern parlance. So be ready for this final phase in componentization, creating new opportunities, more computerization, and… Low-boy or drop-deck flatbed trailers to minimize trips to job. Extra... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 129
Sixty Years of Machines: Introduction Joe Kannapell When do CMs go after new technology? Primarily when they’ve had several good years under their belt. But once new equipment has proven to be much better than what it replaces, it continues to sell even in slower economies. This is illustrated by the apparent inflection point midway through... Read More December 2019 Issue #11245 Page 8
The Last Word: The Last Word on Thanksgiving Joe Kannapell Let’s give thanks to this component industry, for still paying us after all these 50+ years. While so many others have been laid off or retired early, we are still standing tall. Even as the lifeblood of our industry, housing starts, are down 50% since I came on board. Even as four major... Read More December 2019 Issue #11245 Page 125
Epilogue to 50 Years of Truss Design Innovation: Designing Great Software Joe Kannapell Reviewing our 50-year journey tells us much about software. Now let’s recap how good software becomes great: 1. Continuity of development: Note our three distinct programs, each one totally rewritten to tackle larger objectives. Yet each was based on 15+ years of experience with the... Read More November 2019 Issue #11244 Page 8
The Last Word: The Last Word on Finishing Well Joe Kannapell I was fired. But I didn’t hesitate to work late, by myself, on my last day. Heck, I even set the alarm and locked the gate on my way out. That’s finishing well in my “book” and that’s the least I owed my employer. This I commend to you, whether you’re moving... Read More November 2019 Issue #11244 Page 127
Celebrating 50 Years of Truss Design Innovation, Part XV Joe Kannapell Part XV: Busted at Bahama Breeze Finally, we would know if we won the business, when we were summoned to a Bahama Breeze restaurant outside Atlanta. Had we been busted for showing “not ready for prime time” software, defying MiTek policy? Over lunch we were told that ITW had been... Read More October 2019 Issue #11243 Page 8
The Last Word: The Right Job Joe Kannapell 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... Read More October 2019 Issue #11243 Page 122
Celebrating 50 Years of Truss Design Innovation, Part XIV Joe Kannapell 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... Read More September 2019 Issue #11242 Page 8
The Last Word: Whole House Builders? Joe Kannapell Why aren’t your trussers designing walls and EWP too, as we said they would twenty-five years ago? To pave their way, we would deliver more intelligent (“IntelliBuilt”) and optimized (“OptiFramed”) software, and builders would provide flawless “BIM”... Read More September 2019 Issue #11242 Page 125