Why Modular Home Factories Need to Expand Right Now! Gary Fleisher Just in case you haven’t looked out your window lately, new home construction is happening everywhere, especially on the East and West Coast. Traditional new home site builders are facing labor shortages in not only skilled trades but also in basic framing. This shortage is having a... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 94
AWC Successes in Mass Timber, Fire Engagement Mark 2019 Robert Glowinski The American Wood Council (AWC) is prepared for an active 2020, but first, we look back at the challenges and resulting accomplishments over the course of 2019. Last year was marked by successes in the building codes development process, establishing lines of communications with the fire... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 98
Lumber & Housing Market Forecast—Buy Expectation, Sell Reality Matt Layman In our lumber market, when presented with a disruptive opportunity that appears to create a supply shortage or demand surge, buyers increase inventory on the expectation of higher prices; then, once we realize our over-zealous preparation, we liquidate those excessive positions, crashing prices.... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 100
Trainer to the Pros — How Simpson Strong-Tie Educates the Industry Michael Weber Did you know that Simpson Strong-Tie offers free education and training to the construction industry? Indeed, we do. For several decades, Simpson Strong-Tie has made a commitment to supporting the development of our industry, and each year we educate tens of thousands of industry pros —... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 114
The Last Word: The Last Word on Panelization – Floor Panels are Coming Joe Kannapell, PE Framing a house in one day will require floor panels, or “cassettes” in modern parlance. So be ready for this final phase in componentization, creating new opportunities, more computerization, and… Low-boy or drop-deck flatbed trailers to minimize trips to job. Extra... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 129