On a warm November Sunday, after donating blood and platelets in the morning, I sat down to watch the Bucs at the Bills and relax. Just sitting and watching the action, as opposed to having the game on while doing something else, reminded me of the impressive strategies that can go into a...

Innovation begins with a question: “What If.” What if lumber became stronger when arranged in triangles and joined with steel plates? What if geometry could live inside a computer instead of on paper? What if building trusses offsite proved better than framing rafters onsite? Every...

Unlike software or construction projects where scope creep is often tied to timelines, in component manufacturing it usually shows up as added deliverables without added compensation. Here are some common examples: Extra trusses not on the original plans Maybe the framer calls and...

For the first time in U.S. model building code history, tornado design provisions for Risk Category III and IV buildings are given in the 2024 IBC. In fact, John ‘Buddy’ Showalter and Sandra Hyde have an excellent article on this, “2024 IBC Significant Structural Changes...

In today’s construction environment, direct collaboration between building designers and component manufacturers is largely nonexistent outside of the RFI process. The consequence of this is two-fold: one, building designers often don’t understand how structural components are...

With BCMC 2025 in the rearview mirror, I’d like to give a hearty Thank You to everyone who was able to connect with me in Omaha. From my perspective, it was a terrific show with ample opportunities to talk about this industry we’ve chosen. Seeing everyone face to face is always a...

Almost two years ago, the MSR Lumber Producers Council (MSRLPC) Board of Directors got serious about putting together a comprehensive timeline for the history of the MSR lumber industry. In their experience, it was one of the few topics that, when Googled, came up short on information. Even...

Join SBCA and the National Framers Council (NFC) for our Quarter 4 Open Quarterly Meeting (OQM) for networking, learning, and a grand time in Napa Valley, CA, December 9–11, 2025. This gathering will bring attendees together for important updates, education, committee meetings, and...

If you’re like me, you’re away from your computer on the first day of October, choosing instead to attend the industry’s annual trade show, the Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC). Held in Omaha, Nebraska this year, it has promised to be an exciting event. To...

Last month’s article, “Pure Online Magic with Paragon, TDC Time Standards, and AppWright Job Management,”introduced the new and powerful synergy of Paragon and AppWright, which includes the TDC time standards offering. TDC time standards (R.E., S.U., or Man-Hours based on time...