Integrated Closed Wall Panel Systems Greg Watson For many years, wood frame wall panels have been constructed on site by contractors, and, in more recent times, by component manufacturers too. The wall panels assembled by component manufacturers primarily are open panels. These consist of lumber studs at predefined centers sheathed externally... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 70
A Great Day for Golf Nancy Mansfield It’s not every day that your delivery of wall panels takes you to the picturesque views of Pebble Beach in sunny California! In May, Pacific Wall Systems, Inc. in Central Point, Oregon was very pleased to be the supplier for Castro Construction and Phase 4 of the project, “Lodge... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 75
The Hiring Zone: A Possible Forecast for Hiring I applaud employers who haven’t laid people off so far, but I can’t help but think of 2007 when hiring quickly dried up. Back then, hiring slammed on the brakes while the rest of the economy slowly ground to a halt over the next year. This time, it is not a financial problem... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 90
Modular Industry in Best Position to Take Over Mid-Rise Housing Gary Fleisher Since 2010, the number of households that rent has grown from 32% to 36% with the addition of 4,000,000 new renters. Mid and high-income renters saw the biggest increase. With construction slowing down due to COVID-19 and lawmakers debating the pros and cons of rent forgiveness for those who... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 94
Protection Needed for ‘Good Faith’ Business Operations Robert Glowinski As elected officials discuss potential policies to support the nation’s economic recovery, the American Wood Council (AWC) is supporting a number of policy efforts to stimulate housing, and construction in general. In addition, we have engaged on a related issue that has the potential to... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 100
Lumber Briefs: Become a Lumber ‘Trader’ Not Just a Buyer or Seller Matt Layman Seems like every week I get more contacts regarding urgent buying strategies. I want to share two of them with you today. One was a contractor yard, preparing to requote a $3 million multi-family framing package. The member was advised by the contractor that his price was roughly 10% high,... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 102
Teamwork and Friendship Benefit the Whole Mike Wisnefski The average American works 8.8 hours a day, 44 hours per week. The average entrepreneur works 63% more than that. So, when I had the idea for a tech start-up designed to transact raw materials, specifically lumber and wood products right now, you better believe I wanted to like the people that I... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 104
Career Moves and Relocation In the past, relocation was an acceptable means to advance, find a better place to live, better benefits, or better compensation. Myself, I found relocation helped me advance from a mid-level manager to a multiplant GM at a young age. The downside is I had to move several times, uprooting my... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 107
New Materials Require New Hardware — Three Fasteners Engineered Specifically for Mass Timber Construction Neelima Tapata 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... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 114
Returning to Columbus with BCMC 2020 Anna Stamm If you missed BCMC Columbus last year, you’ll have your chance to attend BCMC Columbus this year! An excellent conference destination, it seems a great choice during these uncertain times. A walkable, visitor-friendly downtown with ample hotels, restaurants, and other attractions,... Read More June 2020 Issue #12251 Page 136