There has been a big push to reduce labor. In response, more than one equipment vendor has suggested that component manufacturers (CM) should purchase linear saws directly tied to roof gantry tables. The idea is simple: fewer crew members and more automation to increase efficiencies and reduce...

One of the most efficient and popular tax breaks for small to midsize businesses is the Section 179 tax deduction, and if you’re not currently taking advantage of it, you should certainly consider doing so. Here is how it is defined: Section 179 is an immediate expense deduction that...

A sign that could have appeared in any town has caused quite a stir. The message is direct: “Stimulate your ass to work—Every business in town is hiring.” [For image, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] For business leaders, it aptly voices their frustration when trying to compete...

Economic studies prepared by the multinational professional services company, KPMG, show that the pace of job gains has slowed due to the Delta variant and is leading to a reduction of economic activity in the 3rd Quarter of 2021. KPMG lowered its 3rd Quarter GDP growth numbers from 6.4% to...

At least two months of hard work remain before you can finally ease up and enjoy the Holiday season. Between now and then lie numerous tasks, some ordinary (next year’s budget) and some unusual (COVID vaccination rules). Here are four vital challenges you’ll confront in coming weeks,...

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article written by Josh Mitchell, the economy is holding up quite well. “Resilient” is the word he used to describe the situation. “Households have plenty of money,” he quotes a chief economist as saying. While travel has...

My rhetoric has been leaning towards the bearish side because buyers should not even be looking for lumber in October. The strategy of buying in late August to cover through early November was to avoid having to buy right now, the end of September. The lumber market should have been going up...

What are companies doing these days with the uncertain rise of COVID variants? They’re hoarding cash! According to an updated Wall Street Journal article published on August 16, 2021 by Anna Hirtenstein, companies are sitting on record levels of cash, and ramping up their requests for...

Suppose you want an effective incentive program that improves productivity, saves your company labor cost, and rewards your most valued production crews with additional wages. Perhaps you also want to improve the accuracy of your production scheduling that allows for a proper understanding of...

The last couple of years have served up ample opportunities to be reminded of the futility of following the herd. The industry is still reeling from its hypnotic inventory accumulation at the insistence of home builders’ demands to not leave them under supplied. Some of our members took...