Did you know that any existing automated saws output can now be boosted by switching from a forklift lumber picking process to that of a Lumber PickLine? That’s right, we have proven that a Lumber PickLine will boost the cutting output of all the major automated linear saws out there,...

With BCMC 2023 rapidly approaching, we can feel the excitement growing! We hope you’ll stop by to see what we have to offer in Indy. As shown in these photos from BCMC 2022, we’re proud to show off our WizardPDS®. [For all photos, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] This...

At Moducore, a Bill of Materials (BOM) is more than just a simple list of materials and parts. It is the backbone of your production process, and harnessing its true potential requires an advanced and interconnected system. Our BOM solution lies at the heart of our software, but its real...

After more than three years in development, I’m pleased to announce the publication of ANSI/TPI 1–2022 National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction. Including a Commentary & Appendices, this standard is available for purchase in print and...

With the recent passing of Tom Denig, which was not long after Gene Toombs’, we should take a moment to reflect on their stunning success, gained while working separately and together. They both took over highly technical companies in the early 1990s, Denig at Trus Joist and Toombs at...

It wasn’t enough for Jack Schmitt, President of Truswal, to introduce wood-web floor trusses. He also had to demonstrate how to build them, and that required a special machine. Schmitt turned to his trusted associate, Carl Virta, to come up with a process, and Carl knew who could help him....

Determining the smartest time to buy machinery depends on various factors, including your specific needs, budget, market conditions, and the nature of machinery itself. When we have a conversation with our customers to help them determine their machinery requirements and decide whether it is...

The summertime build season is upon the industry. For most wood component manufacturers (CM), and other manufactured suppliers of building materials, the lead time of new orders typically easily exceeds four weeks. Inevitably, a salesperson will ask, “Hey, can you do me a favor? I have an...

A greenfield truss plant is a rare opportunity to implement processes as designed within start-up constraints without the push-back of change by existing plant personnel. It is a breeze to teach and train new people to follow our process organization technology as laid out in a brand new plant....

Efficient troubleshooting minimizes downtime and disruption in the production workflow. It is critical to understand best practices for seamlessly troubleshooting equipment. Alpine® Equipment Support utilizes a six-step process for troubleshooting that helps find and fix problems faster,...