When discussing employee staffing issues during consultations, wages and long-term employment are inevitably part of the conversation. After decades of advisement, it is no longer a surprise to me about the disconnect between what executives think is most important to the employees versus what...

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...

Our perception forms what we think is the “true” reality, and our reality is always biased based on preconceived ideas, limited perspectives, and the big one of protecting our ego. So, how willing are you to review your area of responsibility for improvement beyond what you...

The offsite manufacturing sector stands poised for transformative growth. Innovations in automation, lean manufacturing, and prefabrication are reshaping the way we build. Yet amidst all this change, one critical element demands urgent attention: Our workforce. Across the industry, leaders...

My introduction to the world of wood trusses didn’t begin in the air-conditioned comfort of an office. Instead, I started out building trusses, spending my days walking in circles around a C-clamp press. I had taken the job as a summer student, hoping to make money for university. In...

When it comes to the daily tasks of any executive, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to implement everything that needs to be done. From sales to troubleshooting, there are constant interruptions in your day that keep you from accomplishing those goals you tell yourself need...

Manufacturing, in truss production, means transforming lumber and plates into engineered components through machinery, labor, and precise processes. In 2025, it’s more than labor—it’s automation. Some cling to the old beat, stacking bodies and tuning schedules as if headcounts...

You don’t wake up one day and decide to start a truss plant. This kind of business isn’t a side hustle. It’s not something you launch from a playbook. A successful truss plant is built slowly—through long hours, tight margins, and a steady stream of challenges most people...

Manufacturing operations rely on efficiency and accuracy. But is that limited to the literal manufacturing process only, or can companies take the same logical approach to evaluating all aspects of employee performance?  A well-defined set of Standards of Performance ensures employees...

“What do you mean you are stopping the QC inspections?” I could not believe what the operations manager was telling me when it was decided that we would no longer have each truss inspected at completion. Our truss company had always prided itself on delivering the highest quality...