The goal is the same for both a bonus plan and a performance plan—reward an employee for performance. The higher the position, the more defined are the goals. Not many bonuses that are consistently over $10k are subjective. It can’t be about how well departments out of your control...

More housing data is rolling in and it is not looking good...but it is 30 days old. Therefore, I am looking for 2-month trends. Existing Home Sales declined on rising prices, expanding inventory to 4.5 months...about average...not a shortage. New Home Sales increased as did prices,...

Just a couple of years ago, I went back to the commercial modular/classroom/mobile office plant where I had my first GM job in the ’80s. I was 27 then, am much older now, but one thing hasn’t changed much, technology. The stations had the same kind of equipment, home build when...

Eurowood and SYP…the Future! It’s times like the last couple of weeks in SPF-W, when buyers get taken by surprise, and they have one question for sellers. “How you gonna help me?” Two weeks ago, I warned that SPF mills were about to spring surprise, imminent...

Permanent modular buildings are considered real property, built to the same building codes and requirements as site-built structures, and can be financed, sold, and depreciated in a similar manner. As such, the markets for permanent modular construction are similar to the markets for site-built...

Many of us have been in the industry long enough to clearly remember the pain of the ‘08 crash. Before the crash, everyone was very optimistic about their own growth potential because the building economy was on fire, which gave everyone a reason to expand their manufacturing capacity like...

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...

When it comes to finding the right industry-experienced person to fill a key role, like a designer or plant manager, you have several options. You can DIY and network with employees and industry contacts, engage a recruiter, or place ads and screen candidates internally. I can’t speak to...

Undoubtedly, many people are now thinking: Is there a difference between a lumber procurement professional and a lumber buyer? I am a Lumber Procurement Professional. I’ve been around the business since I was 15 years old and now I’m 64 (you can do the math). I have worked as a buyer...

The advantages of open-web floor trusses are beginning to decelerate the growth of EWP. Though I-Joist sales per housing start have increased about 6% over the last two years, the trend has slowed considerably. Some of the small gain is due to the continuation of the replacement of solid-sawn...