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Lumber is mission-critical to every component manufacturer (CM). On average, it represents two-thirds of your cost-of-goods (CoG), roughly half of the value of your product (Revenue – Pretax Profit). So, what are the market dynamics that surround the purchase of lumber? And how/why can CMs...

As the Fourth Quarter got underway, there were strong signs that the U.S. economy remains resilient, despite stock market volatility and consumers beginning to express some wobbles in confidence. But the crisis in the Middle East, political divisiveness in the U.S., and chaotic developments...

As we approach the finish line of our construction journey, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the final touches that will bring our home to life. We’re thrilled to share the latest updates on our project, which has been a labor of love every step...

I’m sure we have all been guilty of being bowled over by the latest new and improved gadget, whether in our personal lives or in our company. A new coffee maker promises the best cup you’ve ever had, a new set of golf clubs promises to immediately shave strokes off your game, and the...

Metal plate connected roof and floor trusses are used widely in residential single family, multi- family, commercial, and agricultural construction. They provide design flexibility, span greater distances than traditional “stick framing,” and allow faster erection of the roof system...

A Territory Sales Representative for Simpson Strong-Tie, John Kemper shares his perspective on the thrilling opportunities and challenges presented by working in Building Technology. He highlights the significance of ongoing learning, setting goals, and having mentors in achieving professional...

Wars seem to surround us today, but this has been the case since the founding of our country and our industry. While we are troubled by today’s calamities, we should stop and reflect on those who have fought these wars, especially on this coming Veterans Day, November 11.   Take...

When you are responsible for relaying a message between two parties, do you always tell the message as told to you? If not, how much do you change it, and why do you change it? Don’t Be Cruel Obviously, when it comes to altering messages, we can all agree that you don’t need to...

Component manufacturers learned one very painful floor truss lesson in the 1970s that needed to be remedied in the 1980s – nightmare repairs can result from plates not being fully embedded. That predicament usually resulted from insufficient tonnage to fully press the larger plates found...

The word I used to describe BCMC 2022 in Columbus last fall was “awesome,” so choosing a single word for 2023 I have to pick “amazing.” From start to finish, everyone participating in this year’s Building Component Manufacturers Conference in Indianapolis, from...