A 2025 Recap and a Look at 2026 Carl Villella In 2025, the building component manufacturing industry navigated a landscape defined by paradox: record-breaking investment in high-tech infrastructure alongside sharp contractions in traditional residential segments. As the industry pivots toward 2026, the focus is shifting from... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 95
New Fire-Rated One- and Two-Hour Wall Assemblies Paul Schmidt Have you heard the big news? In December, TechWood unveiled two new fire-rated wall assemblies that not only meet IBC/IRC code-compliant fire protection for residential and commercial construction, but exceed code, adding exclusive protections against mold, rot, and termites while stabilizing... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 102
When Meetings Get in the Way of Work Meetings are a necessary part of running any business. They can align teams, solve problems, and move projects forward. But in many organizations, meetings have quietly grown out of control. What once served a clear purpose has, over time, turned into a standing calendar block that exists simply... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 110
Design Connections: AI in Truss Design: Opportunity or Long-Term Risk? Geordie Secord Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, and it’s reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. For component manufacturers, AI promises efficiency, speed, and cost savings. For years now, we’ve been promised that one day we would be able to... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 118
All Things Wood: 2026 Wood Construction Course: Wood Design, Loads, Disaster Mitigation, and Ethics Frank Woeste As you’re building your 2026 calendar, be sure to block in time for our next wood construction course sponsored by the Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education program. Co-sponsored by the International Code Council, this spring we’re offering “Wood Design, Loads,... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 126
Calculating Dead Loads on Studded Trusses MiTek Staff When designing a truss to be used as a free-spanning structural gable or party wall application, additional dead loads may need to be considered. The MiTek engineering software does not account for self-weight of the truss or for any additional weight of sheathing or drywall being applied to one... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 136
Do What You Can Day 2025: Employees Supporting Communities Worldwide Simpson Strong-Tie Staff With more than 25 participating locations, employees contributed more than a thousand volunteer hours across the globe, making a meaningful impact on the people and organizations they served. Each year, Do What You Can Day reminds us that even small actions, when taken together, can create... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 144
Meetings that Move the Industry Forward: Why OQMs Belong on Your Calendar Sean Shields Component manufacturing is a dynamic business. Market conditions, building codes, supply-chain pressures, and labor needs are continuously shifting, requiring constant problem-solving and innovation. In this environment, staying informed and connected is essential. SBCA’s Open Quarterly... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 158
The Last Word: (When) Will AI Overtake the Truss Industry? Joe Kannapell, PE Artificial intelligence (AI) has been 70 years in the making since eminent AI pioneer, John McCarthy, coined that term in 1955 to describe “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.” Truss software has been 50 years in the making, with scant penetration of AI... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 188
Advertiser Forum: Learning Strategies From Football Anna Stamm On a warm November Sunday, after donating blood and platelets in the morning, I sat down to watch the Bucs at the Bills and relax. Just sitting and watching the action, as opposed to having the game on while doing something else, reminded me of the impressive strategies that can go into a... Read More December 2025 Issue #17317 Page 6