What is Optimization? Tracy Roe Optimization is a crucial part of success and profitability in our industry. It is something that every component manufacturer works at daily in some form or another. At the same time, however, the word has so very many different interpretations that few have exactly the same approach. In this... Read More July 2021 Issue #13264 Page 54
Factory & Line Layouts – Ensuring Success for a Startup Chris Scott As prefab manufacturing continues to have a spotlight thrust upon it, new factories are popping up nationwide. If you have ever been a part of a new factory startup, you probably have the scars to prove it – mentally, emotionally, and physically. Every new factory startup is a lot of work... Read More July 2021 Issue #13264 Page 67
Machinery Choices are a Big Decision Wendy Boyd Spida Machinery is a Global business, drawing on all our production centers for the best of ideas, production diversity, research, development, and supply. While Frame, Truss, Wall builders, and Component Suppliers in different countries are navigating their own patch of turf for future... Read More June 2021 Issue #13263 Page 17
Automating Production with a Direct Delivery System Ed Serrano If you Google images of “automated production lines,” the results are filled with pictures of robot arms and conveyor lines. What you won’t see – people. Why? Because in automated production lines, humans tend to touch the work in progress as little as possible. Why?... Read More June 2021 Issue #13263 Page 58
Find the Hidden Costs in Your Operation Ben Hershey There are several companies both in and outside of our industry who really understand costs. It is not some academic classroom “let someone teach me from the boardroom” but hands-on experience in knowing what their costs are in their operation. In the building industry, we think we... Read More March 2021 Issue #13260 Page 30
Genuine Business Partnerships Can Produce Amazing Results Ed Serrano “The team at Vekta was instrumental in the design of this system and were able to open our eyes to possibilities we didn’t know even existed. The finished product has not only met but exceeded our expectations. With the minimal footprint of the PackFeeder, the accuracy, speed and... Read More March 2021 Issue #13260 Page 65
Alpine Embarks on a New Era of Information Sharing John Croll Component manufacturers (CMs) are continually challenged with improving communication with customers and collaboration between teams. It is essential for design and production teams to receive live updates regarding orders, project lead times, and ongoing trends to operate at full capacity.... Read More February 2021 Issue #13259 Page 62
New Year, New Stiles Solutions Chris Scott Happy New Year! We hope that 2021 sees you and your loved ones safe and happy, and your business increasing in output while maintaining your quality. We’re starting off this new year by continuing our conversation around Stiles’ partnerships and how you benefit from them. A close... Read More January 2021 Issue #13258 Page 69
TrueBuild® Batch – Controlling Your Equipment Investment Tracy Roe Our first installment of this series, Maximizing Your Equipment Investment, covered the communication and setup of saw and fabrication equipment. Our second installment, Optimizing Your Equipment Investment, took the process to the table. Next up, it’s time to explore the ease of use that... Read More October 2020 Issue #12255 Page 58
TrueBuild® Batch – Optimizing Your Equipment Investment Tracy Roe Last month, we talked about how, after investing in a new piece of equipment, you may need to make additional changes to a process in your operation. Typically, the desired result of an equipment purchase is increased efficiency, so your software needs to be as flexible as you are as a... Read More September 2020 Issue #12254 Page 56