Advertiser Forum: Twenty Words Revisited Anna Stamm Six years ago, I wrote “20 Words for 2020.” I remember it very well, carefully choosing those 20 words that I wished for everyone in the coming year. In many ways, that seems like a very long time ago. That was before the pandemic stole millions of lives from the world. That was... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 6
Using Smart Machinery to Help Your Team Do Its Best Work Wendy Boyd As we start a new year, many frame and truss manufacturers are focusing on a familiar challenge – how to support their teams, maintain output, and continue delivering a quality product in a labor market that’s tighter and more competitive than ever. While technology and automation... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 29
Building for Success!! MiTek Staff As we enter 2026, with the excitement of the holidays behind us, we ask ourselves, what do we need to do to ensure that the best is yet to come? In reflecting on the start of another year, we have asked ourselves, what do we need to do to succeed? How can we do things better? How can we be... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 39
Finding the Common Chord Paragon Team Most people assume the hardest problems they deal with are theirs alone. That assumption quietly shapes how work gets done. You fix the issue in front of you, adjust a process, add another spreadsheet, or patch a handoff between design and production, then move on. Rarely do you pause to ask... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 75
Why the Future of the Truss Industry Belongs to Teams With Visibility Kenneth Sewell Every truss manufacturer knows this moment. A job should be moving forward, but it isn’t. Sales thinks design has it. Design is waiting on information. Production is asking for answers. Someone opens a file only to realize it is outdated. Nobody feels negligent, yet nothing is... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 84
When Meetings Get in the Way of Work Meetings are a necessary part of running any business. They can align teams, solve problems, and move projects forward. But in many organizations, meetings have quietly grown out of control. What once served a clear purpose has, over time, turned into a standing calendar block that exists simply... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 110
Do What You Can Day 2025: Employees Supporting Communities Worldwide Simpson Strong-Tie Staff With more than 25 participating locations, employees contributed more than a thousand volunteer hours across the globe, making a meaningful impact on the people and organizations they served. Each year, Do What You Can Day reminds us that even small actions, when taken together, can create... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 144
Meetings that Move the Industry Forward: Why OQMs Belong on Your Calendar Sean Shields Component manufacturing is a dynamic business. Market conditions, building codes, supply-chain pressures, and labor needs are continuously shifting, requiring constant problem-solving and innovation. In this environment, staying informed and connected is essential. SBCA’s Open Quarterly... Read More January 2026 Issue #18318 Page 158
Advertiser Forum: Learning Strategies From Football Anna Stamm 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... Read More December 2025 Issue #17317 Page 6
Advertiser Forum: Thanks for the BCMC Conversations and Condolences Anna Stamm 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... Read More November 2025 Issue #17316 Page 6