When, out of the blue, two very fit trussers are slowed by heart issues, and I discover my own, I must speak up! Especially since none of us fit the high-risk profile: we don’t smoke, consume much alcohol, or carry much extra weight. Fortunately, thanks to our exercise routines, we are...

The component industry’s biggest event is only 3 months away! This year’s Building Component Manufacturers Conference will be held on October 22–25 in Columbus, OH. Will you be there? Exhibitors are readying their booths, speakers are preparing their sessions, and...

My wife Dianne and I were recently going through some of our old family photos and I came across this photo of Dianne’s Dad, Jack Hendershot, as a teenager on his bike delivering ice in the early ’50s. For those who may not know, before the advent of refrigeration and freezing...

Writing this column on Memorial Day, I was struck by the many reasons we have to feel grateful every day. The holiday provides us with the opportunity to reflect on many aspects of lives, and people in our lives, which we often take for granted. Remembering How Fortunate We Are Anyone who...

When I recently started some restructuring work for a client, I saw a sign posted on the wall. As shown in the image [see PDF or View in Full Issue], it took a sad approach to giving 100% at work. How many of the associates on our teams show up to work on Monday with this attitude and energy...

It was April 1999 when my brothers, Travis and Jason, and I were given the opportunity to purchase a small, residential-only truss plant in Gatesville, TX. What was once known as D&A Roof and Floor Trusses became the first location of Noltex Truss. Jason and I worked together building and...

Eighteen teams from colleges throughout the Southwest United States and Hawaii gained hands-on experience in wood design and construction during the second annual Timber-Strong Design Build competition. AWC joined APA–The Engineered Wood Products Association (APA) and Simpson Strong-Tie...

It’s natural to strategize in our daily lives. We try to plan our actions to produce the optimal results. We may not be successful as often as we’d like, but we attempt to maximize our time and effort. So, what about the times when people take it a little too far? Embellishing or...

I think the answer to the title’s question is the same as the answer to “am I beautiful.” Those who know me are screaming, “the answer is NO,” but the correct answer should be, “It’s in the eye of the beholder.” I believe knowledge and experience...

My wife recently saw a book online (direct from the publisher) that she thought I would enjoy reading: “Lean Production for Competitive Advantage,” by John Nichols. There was, though, a funny thing about the book; it was printed upside down compared to the binding. I considered...