Employee Hires, Equipment Investment, and Making Changes Todd Drummond Another year has come and gone, and what an invigorating year it has been for most companies. Net profits after taxes for most component manufacturers were in the high teens to mid-twenties—at least for those who do not allow for never-ending excuses. Once again, it is time to reevaluate... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 36
The Last Word: The Last Word on What’s Ahead Joe Kannapell Why are equipment sales booming when near-term housing starts are projected to be flat? Possible reasons are: CMs know better and expect good growth and need more capacity. Some markets will grow well and others will contract. CMs buying equipment expect to do better on the same... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 105
Automated Saws, High End Sean Hubbard We are deep into the 2018 Product Comparisons now. I decided to delay the next comparisons until after the BCMC to better detail the latest advancements in technology. Having covered roofs, floors, and most of walls, I have updated the schedule to address other essential equipment for your... Read More December 2018 Issue #10233 Page 17
Independent CMs Still Have an Edge Over Multi-Location Companies Todd Drummond Since the home building crash of ‘08, there has been a huge spike in mergers and acquisitions of wood truss and wall panel component manufacturers. With all the big players in the market, independents naturally have concerns about staying competitive. Believe it or not, independents still... Read More December 2018 Issue #10233 Page 38
BCMC 2018: Crafting Connections and Brewing Success Shawn Overholtzer The 37th Annual BCMC show took place in late October at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. It was the second time in the past four years at this location, so most of us already knew the great restaurants and bars to visit. Every year the show just seems to get bigger and better, and this... Read More December 2018 Issue #10233 Page 48
Still Growing Strong with Acceptance Ray Fedorko We’re pleased to report that Acceptance Leasing and Financing Service, Inc., (ALFS) located near Pittsburgh in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, continues to be a key player in its niche market for small and mid‐sized manufacturing businesses seeking easy access for commercial equipment... Read More December 2018 Issue #10233 Page 63
Celebrating BCMC 2018 Ben Hershey By the time you read this, the dust will have settled after an incredibly successful BCMC Show in Milwaukee, WI. What a privilege to talk with so many of you last week and see many of the exciting new automation products we can use in our operations to make us far more efficient, and, more... Read More November 2018 Issue #10232 Page 37
The Last Word: Success and Optimism at BCMC Joe Kannapell BCMC 2018 topped even the 1973 Show. At the Louisville fairgrounds back then, we also sold a record amount of truss machinery, but under vastly different conditions in the U.S. Housing starts had just peaked at 2.4 Million units, nearly twice current levels and 20% higher than any level since... Read More November 2018 Issue #10232 Page 109
Beware of One Size Fits All Solutions Todd Drummond I am often asked about what is the best one-size-size-fits-all equipment solution to fit all the component manufacturing needs. Of course, too many equipment vendors are more than willing to offer their version of a one-size-fits-all solution. Below are three examples of when one size does not... Read More October 2018 Issue #10231 Page 33
Wall Panel Sheathing Stations Sean Hubbard September is here, so it’s time to wrap up our comparisons of wall panel equipment. Again I would like to thank all of the manufacturers who have taken the time to review the draft charts I’ve compiled and supply additional information and clarification. Their input across these... Read More September 2018 Issue #10230 Page 18