My Take-Aways from the Massive 2022 IBS February’s International Builders Show (IBS) in Orlando, Florida was massive in both size and content. I consider myself lucky to have gotten a press pass to the IBS. I say lucky not because the pass was obtained, any good trade show will offer that to increase exposure for the show and... Read More March 2022 Issue #14272 Page 84
Sixty Years of Machines, Part XXVI: Competing in Columbus Joe Kannapell Two linear saws were set to battle one other at BCMC: Alpine’s, never having operated in a truss plant, vs. TCT’s, running in 10 truss plants. But few expected the competition at the 2002 Show. Alpine’s entry was the result of a crash effort, largely behind the scenes, to... Read More January 2022 Issue #14270 Page 10
Sixty Years of Machines, Part XXV: A Hail Mary Pass Joe Kannapell Alpine Engineered Products’ new owners greenlighted both a new linear saw and a major upgrade to their component saw, but they gave Dave McAdoo a nearly impossible deadline. He would have to deliver both by BCMC 2002, just 3½ months away. And the most difficult of these, the linear... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 10
BCMC Reflection and Christmas Cheer! Wendy Boyd As we head towards Christmas and think about a well-earned break, I can’t help but reflect on the work done in 2021 and the wonderful support received from our customer/partners. Spida again demonstrated our machinery at BCMC – and were embraced by our customers and new friends to... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 19
Sixty Years of Machines, Part XXIV: Opposites Attract Joe Kannapell A David and Goliath struggle was brewing over the linear saw, and it was ready to boil over at BCMC in October 2002. It would pit Jim Urmson, a lone mechanic who was pioneering his first machine, against Alpine’s engineers, who had launched multiple winning machines. Though Urmson had... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 10
Back from BCMC, Our Welcome Friend Cullen Ellis It was great to see everyone back at the BCMC show this year in Omaha. Seeing all the familiar faces reminds us all how tight knit our industry is, especially after missing last year due to Covid. It felt like a typical annual family gathering with some relatives you talk to on a regular basis... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 19
Connecting and Learning in Omaha Tracy Roe BCMC 2021 was held last month in Omaha and we at Eagle Metal have to say — thank you to everyone who attended the show! Although we had only missed one year due to the pandemic, the gap since the last time we were able to gather with everyone seemed much longer than that. But thanks to all... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 58
Thanks from Triad for an Outstanding Show TRIAD / Merrick Machine Company Team BCMC 2021 in Omaha, NE gave customers the opportunity to see first-hand the new Triad ProFusion sheathing bridge—Triad’s latest programmable bridge with many new features to provide increased speed and increased flexibility while reducing labor. [For photos, see See PDF or View in... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 72
The Last Word: Witnessing Integration at BCMC Joe Kannapell At each BCMC, we’re able to see the evolution of our industry in real time. Right now, we’re seeing how to integrate machines that used to operate independently. These machines, the saws and the tables, have had sixty years of improvements, and a billion dollars of CM investments.... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 134
Advertiser Forum: Cheers to the Show Anna Stamm In our everyday lives, we habitually take many things for granted. It can be little things, like a store always having your favorite brand, or bigger expectations, such as your favorite store always being in business. We expect things to be where we expect them to be, and we anticipate that... Read More October 2021 Issue #13267 Page 6