These four commonly held practices within the component industry (wood truss and wall panels manufacturing) are actually causing millions in lost profits. None of these practices should be acceptable, and all are correctable. Is your company ready to make lean manufacturing continuous...

We all recognize that to survive in business for thirty years is quite an accomplishment. This year, we celebrate our milestone 30th anniversary by reflecting on how we not only survived, but thrived, to make it to this point. Here’s how we did it: By earning your TRUST. While we...

As a change agent for lean manufacturing best practices, it is extremely satisfying when I see a company embrace best practices despite their challenges. Too often, it is stated, “we (I) cannot implement or do the suggested improvement practice because _____” from so many claiming to...

Finance Your Purchase Instead of Placing a Lump Deposit The supply chain disruptions in the economy present one of the more difficult aspects facing clients in the current economic environment. Clients are waiting up to one year to receive equipment, when in the past they have only had to...

The article I published in April, Record CM Building Industry Net Profits are Coming to an End Sooner Than Most Believe, predicted that the construction industry would start seeing negative market changes around August of this year. Wow, was I right about calling that one? The continued...

On June 15th, the Federal Reserve Bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the third time this year. It was its biggest increase since 1994. The Fed raised rates by three quarters of a percentage point, and indicated that further increases would follow in July. Nonetheless, Fed chairman...

When one of housing’s biggest optimists changes his outlook, attention must be paid. Stephen Kim, senior managing director and head of Evercore ISI’s Housing Research Team, had declared in September 2020 that housing had entered a Golden Age. But that changed on June...

Is your company having problems finding good employees to fill all the needed positions within your company? Are you thinking wage inflation is getting out of hand? Perhaps you should look at it from a different perspective. Multiple case studies have shown that companies with low employee...

On May 4th, the Federal Reserve Bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the second time this year. It was its biggest increase since 2000. The Fed raised rates by half a percentage point, and indicated that further increases would follow throughout the year. Its next increase is poised to...

One of my clients’ most often asked questions is, “How exactly do we track and implement an incentive program?” Most companies are willing to pay their manufacturing employees more wages (incentives) based on greater output. Yet, the vast majority of wood truss component...