Design Connections: Preventing Truss Collapses Geordie Secord Over the many years I’ve worked in the truss business, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of visiting numerous job sites where the trusses have collapsed. Without fail, every one of those collapses has been the direct result of improper bracing, improper hoisting, or a combination... Read More June 2023 Issue #15287
Design Connections: Training New Designers Geordie Secord Last month’s article, “The Designer Shortage—Where Can We Find Them?”, offered some suggestions for finding new component designers. This month, I have some suggestions for training those new hires effectively. And bear in mind, as I mentioned last month, I think it is... Read More May 2023 Issue #15286 Page 80
Design Connections: The Designer Shortage—Where Can We Find Them Geordie Secord A challenge for the component industry is brewing no matter if you are located in an area where new home construction continues to be strong or your market is slowed by the combined effects of high interest rates and stubbornly high inflation. Be it single family or multi-family, new designers... Read More April 2023 Issue #15285 Page 78
Design Connections: Is There Ever Just One Right Way? Geordie Secord If you have spent your truss career in one region, and even more so with just one company, you will have seen that, generally speaking, your competitors and co-workers tend to frame houses essentially the same way. Only when you are exposed to a different company or region do you start to see... Read More March 2023 Issue #15284 Page 80
Design Connections: Building Information Modeling for the Component Business? Geordie Secord If I compare the truss layout and design software used in the early 1980s to what is available today, it’s mind boggling. Actually, comparing layout software wouldn’t be possible since the first layout software at our company didn’t show up until around 1989! Up to that point,... Read More February 2023 Issue #15283 Page 84
Design Connections: Cost-Saving Measures and Memorable Debacles Geordie Secord A recent truss and EWP project had so many site-related problems, it must go down on my list of most memorable for all the wrong reasons. Like many of you, I’ve certainly experienced challenging jobs in the past, but it seemed like the stream of problems just never ended. As is often... Read More January 2023 Issue #15282 Page 92
Design Connections: “Making” a Truss Designer Geordie Secord Reading Thom’s article in last month’s issue, “JobLine Turns 30!”, brought back many great memories of the times I have worked with him. I’ve known Thom for over 25 years and worked with him numerous times, with one of our best projects being the training business... Read More December 2022 Issue #14281 Page 102
Design Connections: Resolving Our Inevitable Mistakes Geordie Secord I once had the sales representative for a software company looking to secure our business tell me that, in his view, being a truss designer (or panel designer) was like taking a never-ending math test in which any score less than 100% was failure. He was certainly of the “old school”... Read More November 2022 Issue #14280 Page 90
Design Connections: Are We Selling Trusses or Lumber? Geordie Secord It is common for truss plants to be owned at least in part by a lumber yard. This relationship should, at least in theory, provide for a great business relationship. The lumber yard can focus on relationships with the builders, home owners, and developers knowing that they have a dedicated... Read More October 2022 Issue #14279 Page 98
Design Connections: Design: Software Power or Brain Power? Geordie Secord I sometimes wonder if I am at risk of becoming the truss designer version of the grouchy old man that sits on the front porch yelling at the neighborhood kids to “get off my lawn.” When I hear some newer designer criticize the limitations of today’s truss layout and design... Read More September 2022 Issue #14278 Page 86