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
How I Got to Spida – And What We’ve Got for You Tony McCoy I’m excited to seize all of the opportunities in front of me with my new position here at Spida, so I’ve decided to start with a little introduction about how I got involved in this industry and what has led me to this great company. How So Many of Us Got Our Start in... Read More January 2022 Issue #14270 Page 19
Optimize Your Saw with a Lumber Pick Line Edmond Lim, P.Eng. Feed the Beast! That’s what I call it — and that’s what I suggest to every component manufacturer striving to optimize their plant. A Lumber PickLine will ensure that your saw never goes hungry for lumber. Using inefficient, expensive, and labor-intensive “forklift... Read More January 2022 Issue #14270 Page 52
The Last Word: The Last Word on What’s Ahead Joe Kannapell The best news for 2022 will be on the job front, and I plan on keeping mine, working these pages. Please stayed tuned as we uncover much more about our unique niche in the off-site construction industry, including developments on the following, evolving topics: Robotics: How will the two... Read More January 2022 Issue #14270 Page 126
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
How to Lose Millions of Profits with Linear Saws and Two-Person Crews Todd Drummond 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... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 35
When You’re Ready to Diversify, Call Triad TRIAD / Merrick Machine Company Team Most component manufacturers know Triad because of framing, squaring, and sheathing tables. If you attended the BCMC show in Omaha in October, you also saw our newest innovation—the ProFusion Sheathing Bridge with Autonomous Operation. But do you know all of the products that Triad/Merrick... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 68
One Hundred Five Days in 2002 Dave McAdoo The true story of how Alpine revolutionized saws In early 2000, sales of truss equipment began to taper off. By the end of the year, the Equipment Division had reduced its employment by more than half and had shrunk its occupied floor space by 40%. The most dramatic reduction took place in... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 88
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