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... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 10
Do You Include BCMC in Your Training Investment? Glenn Traylor How much time should you invest in learning about your business, and what are the best methods for training? You may not realize it, but our annual industry tradeshow is one of the best places to combine multiple objectives including valuable learning opportunities. Each year, component... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 35
MiTek to Showcase Innovative Solutions at BCMC 2025 MiTek Staff Get ready to see our integrated solutions at the upcoming Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC) 2025 in Omaha, NE. Our booth will feature industry-leading software, automated production equipment, engineered systems and products, and service capabilities that empower component... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 48
Where Innovation Meets Industry: Simpson Strong-Tie at BCMC Simpson Strong-Tie Staff It’s almost show time and we cannot wait to share with you all of the innovative solutions we are working on at this year’s BCMC show in Omaha. [For all photos, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] Innovative Software We are excited to announce our newest addition to our Component... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 54
Simplify Floor Plan Review Alpine Team Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is transforming design and project management workflows. By removing redundancies and automating tedious tasks, AI helps designers work faster. Reviewing architectural drawings, floor plans, and construction documents can be painful, and important changes... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 61
Optimism, Pessimism, and Missed Opportunities in Our Industry Geordie Secord In this business, timing is everything. Whether you’re running a component manufacturing company or looking for your next job opportunity, the question often comes down to this: are you a buyer or are you a seller? A few years ago, my son-in-law’s family—who’ve run a... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 120
Repetitive Member Increase (Cr) and Additional Repetitive Increase MiTek Staff A Repetitive Member Increase (Cr) in truss design accounts for the load-sharing and composite action that occurs when multiple members, connected by load-distributing elements, act together as a system. This is an adjustment to allowable stresses of multiple members (like trusses, joists,... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 126
Truss Design – Working with Obstructions Simpson Strong-Tie Staff With the Component Solutions® Truss Studio™ design software, you can draw areas on a layout which allow you to block out a specific area, preventing newly created trusses from passing through the designated obstruction area. These obstruction spaces (designated as cube shapes) can... Read More September 2025 Issue #17314 Page 134
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... Read More August 2025 Issue #17313 Page 10
Designer Hiring Blues in the Summer It’s August. The heat is relentless, the humidity unforgiving, and your design team is running as hot as a NASCAR pit crew in Alabama. Project timelines are tight, customer expectations are high, and every minute counts. So when someone suggests bringing in a new designer, it can feel like... Read More August 2025 Issue #17313 Page 98