Joe Kannapell, PE

Home Building Technology, Part IX: The Great Connector

Joe Kannapell, PE

Cal Jureit’s truss testing experience was but the first of three consequential steps that led him to invent the modern truss connector plate. Jureit’s second step was joining Truss Fabrications, Inc. (TFI), which furthered his knowledge of truss manufacturing, and focused his efforts...

#17314 Cover image
September 2025
Issue #17314
Page 10
Wendy Boyd

Truss Cutting Transformed: Integrated, Automated, and Labor-Light

Wendy Boyd

In today’s truss plants, the cutting stage plays a more critical role than ever. What was once predominantly a repetitive, manual task has become a central driver of speed, accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across the entire operation. [For all photos, See PDF or View in Full...

#17314 Cover image
September 2025
Issue #17314
Page 17
Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Passive Lean Can Tame Lumber Chaos

Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

On a recent sailing expedition, I could not help but marvel at how a floating breakwater is a passive lean solution used to tame chaotic waves similar to how the Enventek Lumber PickLine tames the chaos in material handling. Both solutions are strategically designed to be simple, cost effective,...

#17314 Cover image
September 2025
Issue #17314
Page 40
Jamie Tait

From On-Site Craftsmanship to Off-Site Innovation: The Mindset Shift Transforming American Builders

Jamie Tait

The construction industry in the United States has begun undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional on-site building approaches, characterized by manual labor, weather dependency, and fragmented workflows, are giving way to a more innovative, efficient methodology: off-site...

#17314 Cover image
September 2025
Issue #17314
Page 66
Joe Kannapell, PE

Home Building Technology, Part VIII: The Engineering Advantage

Joe Kannapell, PE

Where is the best location to start a business — the easiest place or the toughest? Choosing the easiest means you may or may not “have what it takes” to succeed in the toughest markets. But, by choosing the toughest, you may “set yourself up” to market yourself...

#17313 Cover image
August 2025
Issue #17313
Page 10
Wendy Boyd

Automation on the Factory Floor

Wendy Boyd

I’ve had many conversations with manufacturers across the structural building components industry lately, and the topic that keeps coming up is automation. And it’s no surprise – automation is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s here, and it’s delivering real...

#17313 Cover image
August 2025
Issue #17313
Page 17
Leonard Hain

Improve Your Efficiency with a Hain Sub Component Nailer

Leonard Hain

With the continuing growth of wall panel production, everyone is looking for ways to improve their efficiency. An important place to look when you’re considering your options—speeding up subcomponent production! If you want to increase your efficiency, take a look at the new video...

#17313 Cover image
August 2025
Issue #17313
Page 40
Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

“OBBB” and “AII” Inspiration to Feed the Beast!

Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Both the US’ One Big Beautiful Bill Section 179 and Canada’s Accelerated Investment Incentive are designed to stimulate economic growth by encouraging businesses to invest in new equipment and technology by providing upfront tax relief. How’s that for Inspiration to Feed the...

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August 2025
Issue #17313
Page 46
Dario Schmidt

Future-Proofing Off-Site Construction: Why Flexibility is Key in the Age of Value-Added Manufacturing

Dario Schmidt

In today’s rapidly evolving construction industry, manufacturers face a growing imperative to do more with less—less labor, less waste, and less downtime. Traditionally, dedicated machines have been used for specific tasks like cutting or marking. While effective for current needs,...

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August 2025
Issue #17313
Page 64
Kathryn Pedde

Continuous Improvement with JAX

Kathryn Pedde

We put our JAX gantry into full operation in late 2023, but we never stopped working to enhance its effectiveness. That’s the advantage of having owner-operators who are hands-on in the plant every day. Fortunately, we began with a proven automated gantry system equipped with a proven...

#17313 Cover image
August 2025
Issue #17313
Page 70
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