Now’s the Time to Pause So You Can Look Ahead Wendy Boyd For many in the structural building components industry, the past few months have been quieter than usual. This has been caused by a combination of factors including economic, regulatory, and operational. I was talking to a customer recently and he put it like this: “where we’re... Read More June 2025 Issue #17311 Page 19
Prefabrication Scalability: Where to Begin Kevin Guest In today’s rapidly evolving housing market, the demand for diverse housing types—affordable, low-income, modular, multi-family, and general residential construction—is greater than ever. This growing demand highlights the need for scalable, efficient building solutions. Enter... Read More June 2025 Issue #17311 Page 54
Feed 2, 3, 4, or 5 Saws with the JAX Gantry Kathryn Pedde For the first time, a modern machine used in many other industries has proven itself in a truss plant. In other industries where it works in hundreds of plants, the JAX gantry transports tires, crates, and cases of Jack Daniels whiskey. In a truss plant, JAX moves 1 to 13 sticks of lumber from... Read More June 2025 Issue #17311 Page 60
New IFC Export: Better Collaboration and Visualization Alpine Team Alpine continues to innovate with the latest version of the IntelliVIEW Suite, now offering IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) export to improve collaboration, visualization, and accuracy in Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. IFC export enables seamless data exchange across... Read More June 2025 Issue #17311 Page 125
Lot Level Tracking Simpson Strong-Tie Staff Simpson Strong-Tie has been a supplier of connectors for trusses and engineered-wood products for years. This experience has provided insights into the needs of the component manufacturer and has resulted in the development of innovative software that meets those needs. Our project management... Read More June 2025 Issue #17311 Page 133
What to Consider Before Purchasing an Automated Linear Saw Wendy Boyd I’ve had the privilege of working with frame and truss manufacturers for many years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right equipment can transform a business. If you’re thinking about investing in an automated linear saw, I can honestly say, you can reap many benefits... Read More May 2025 Issue #17310 Page 19
Optimizing Every Inch: Why Space Utilization Matters in Frame & Truss Manufacturing Ed Serrano Imagine a factory floor where every square foot contributes to efficiency and productivity. That’s the power of lean manufacturing: a philosophy centered on maximizing value and eliminating waste. In the fast-paced world of prefabricated frames and trusses, space optimization isn’t... Read More May 2025 Issue #17310 Page 62
Revolutionizing Construction: The Future of Automation in Off-Site Building Practices Daniel Fothke The construction industry is on the brink of a significant evolution, propelled by the integration of automation in off-site construction practices. This shift is not merely a trend but a necessary response to the growing demands for efficiency, quality, and sustainability in building... Read More May 2025 Issue #17310 Page 78
Home Building Technology, Part IV: The $6,000 Question Joe Kannapell, PE Unions opposed it, builders dismissed it, but the American homebuyer would embrace prefabricated housing as soon as they could afford it. Despite fierce opposition, the government made it a reality by allowing FHA financing on prefabricated homes with loans of $6,000 or less. In announcing this... Read More April 2025 Issue #17309 Page 10
Importance of Factory Layouts and Investing in the Right Machinery! Wendy Boyd Factory layouts are important in any industry, and none more so than in the structural building components industry. Not only do factory layouts allow you to simplify and streamline workflow processes, but they can also assist you in maximizing your productivity and improving overall... Read More April 2025 Issue #17309 Page 19