In today’s truss plants, the cutting stage plays a more critical role than ever. What was once predominantly a repetitive, manual task has become a central driver of speed, accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across the entire operation. [For all photos, See PDF or View in Full...

In 2013, we took over a plant that ran only component saws with live decks, and we struggled to keep them fed. We arranged full bunks of lumber close to the feed decks, but that necessitated moving several bunks when we had to replace an interior bunk. When we replaced those saws with two linear...

I’ve had many conversations with manufacturers across the structural building components industry lately, and the topic that keeps coming up is automation. And it’s no surprise – automation is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s here, and it’s delivering real...

Walking past the stack of 15 bags of top soil that’s been in my garage since spring 2021, I thought of parallels to our current economic uncertainty and urges to “buy now” or wait. If you’re thinking about making purchases as a buffer against tariffs, price increases, and...

When it comes to the sales team, the very group that provides the lifeblood of the entire company, there is often one blind spot for wasted efforts. Why do so many companies allow their sales team to jump through so many hoops to find need-to-know-right-now information? Why must the sales...

What do a former First Lady and today’s most forward-thinking frame fabricators have in common? More than you might think. Consider this quote, “The more we simplify our material needs, the more we are free to think of other things” – Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor...

Welcome to 2025! This year isn’t just another page on the calendar — it’s a pivotal season for growth and strategic foresight. Are you prepared for the economic shifts, interest rate impacts, and key market drivers that could shape your business strategy? When you’re...

WARNING: the following text is not intended for consumption by old-school fabricators and plant managers – especially those without a desire to evolve alongside new and developing technologies However, if you are showing any of the following symptoms, you are advised to read on...

In the building industry generally and industrialized construction specifically, the utilization of data has become increasingly pivotal. This trend parallels the data-driven advancements seen in Formula 1, where precision, speed, and strategic insights derived from data have revolutionized the...

Builders have been testing the viability of floor trusses, and they are now considering the results. Many of them switched from I-joists only because they were forced to do so. Either they couldn’t get them, or they didn’t want to pay double the price. Yet today, as they are seeing...