For component manufacturers who rely on machine stress rated (MSR) lumber in their day-to-day operations, the annual MSR Workshop continues to distinguish itself as one of the most valuable events on the industry calendar. The 2026 Workshop, held at the end of April in Orange Beach, AL, once again delivered on its promise to deliver technical education, meaningful networking, and hands-on experience in a format that feels both productive and uniquely engaging. [For all photos, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
While every attendee brings their own perspective, we talked to four component manufacturers (CMs) whose experiences highlight exactly why this Workshop resonates so strongly with those who use MSR lumber in real-world applications. Their collective insights reveal a consistent theme: the Workshop isn’t just informative, it’s a valuable investment that pays dividends throughout the year.
A Different Kind of Industry Event
One of the most frequently noted benefits of the MSR Workshop is its scale and atmosphere. The Workshop brings together a specific cross-section of the industry — mills, wholesalers, and component manufacturers — creating a space where conversations don’t just happen, they matter. That focused intention is what makes the event so successful. Attendees from all aspects of the MSR supply chain agree that the smaller, more curated environment of the Workshop encourages deeper conversations and stronger relationships.
For Cody Roberts, first-time attendee and VP of Manufacturing at Carnes Forest Products in Pontotoc, MS, that atmosphere made a great first impression. “Walking into the event, I expected the usual challenges of breaking into a new group,” he said. “Instead, it felt like a big family, and I was immediately welcomed into it.”
Matthew Cunningham, a lumber buyer for US LBM focusing on the state of Arizona, attended for his third time and said that the slower pace and deeper connections are what keep him coming back to the Workshop. “A lot of events can be almost too large,” he explained. “I like the intimacy of having a smaller number of people attend, but knowing they are the right people. It’s a special workshop in a special industry.”
Networking That Actually Works
In many industry events, networking can feel forced or transactional. At the MSR Workshop, it’s a core strength that delivers measurable value.
Cody summed it up succinctly. “My biggest takeaway was the connections…meeting people from all different walks of the industry,” he explained. “Being able to sit with people from mills and wholesalers and pick their brain on something we use so much of…it’s just invaluable.” More importantly, those interactions were meaningful, not superficial. “You get to learn what each person does, how they use MSR, and what their business model is built on,” said Cody.
Titus Mullet, General Manager/CFO at Hostetler Metal & Truss in Walhonding, OH, echoed that sentiment from a slightly different perspective. As a new Workshop attendee who purchases materials and regularly communicates with suppliers, he found significant value in simply putting faces to names. “A lot of the guys you just talk to on the phone or over email, so to actually meet them was really cool,” he said. “For me, being able to build new friendships and renew old ones was one of the biggest benefits of attending.”
Matthew emphasized the benefit of having plenty of casual networking time. “The Workshop generates strong discussion and collaboration between mills, suppliers, and traders,” he noted, “which directly impacts how companies adapt to changing market conditions.”
Education You Can Take Back to the Plant
While networking is a major draw, the educational content is another aspect that keeps people coming back. Attendees consistently reported walking away with insights they could apply right away in their daily operations.
For Matthew, the economic forecasting session was particularly impactful, especially as a returning attendee. “Seeing the year-over-year changes and being able to take that back to my team, that’s where the price of admission really becomes valuable,” he explained. “Those insights help inform purchasing decisions, production strategies, and long-term planning.”
Cody said he found similar value in the broader market sessions, especially those focused on the growth of Southern Yellow Pine and MSR products. “It was interesting to see how the market has changed and why those changes are happening,” he said. “For companies trying to stay ahead of shifting demand, that kind of perspective is critical.”
Technical sessions also resonated strongly, particularly for attendees focused on design and manufacturing. Titus highlighted the depth of the technical content as a key benefit. “The grading, the E-values, the technical side of MSR, that was very interesting,” he said. “Bottom line, if I’m going to take time out of my week to attend a Workshop, I’m asking myself how I can grow and make our company better? The Workshop sessions are a big key to that.”
Josh Harris, first-time attendee and Design Manager from Hiwassee Truss in Chattanooga, TN, gave a presentation on the benefits of using MSR lumber in component design, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice. His session demonstrated just how impactful MSR can be in real-world applications and the competitive advantage MSR provides. Reflecting on his own experience, he emphasized that “you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage if you don’t have MSR, because your competition’s using it.”
The Mill Tour: From Theory to Reality
If there’s one element of the Workshop that consistently stands out as a highlight, it’s the tour. This year attendees visited the new Canfor facility in Axis, AL, an experience that left a lasting impression on both new and veteran attendees.
“I always enjoy visiting a sawmill…every one of them is unique,” said Matthew. “But this year’s tour of a brand-new facility took that experience to another level.”
“It was very impressive,” agreed Cody. “We even got to see MSR testing in action, watching boards tested to failure. It provided tangible proof of the product’s performance and consistency — something that’s hard to fully appreciate from looking at the specs.”
Josh had a similar reaction. “The tour was extremely fascinating,” he said. The combination of automation, visual and acoustic grading, and performance testing offered a comprehensive look at how MSR lumber is produced and validated. “The break test…that was definitely my favorite part.”
For Titus, the tour wasn’t just interesting, it was instructive. “We work with this stuff every day — why not see where it’s coming from?” he asked. “Learning about how the mill operates helps me explain the process to my team back at the plant. Connecting production practices with real-world outcomes is a valuable takeaway from the Workshop.”
Collaboration That Drives Improvement
One of the less obvious but perhaps most impactful benefits of the MSR Workshop is its role in fostering two-way communication across the supply chain. Component manufacturers don’t just receive information — they provide it.
Cody emphasized how valuable it is for mills and suppliers to hear directly from manufacturers about how MSR is used in the field. “You can hear feedback on production, and they can hear feedback on how you’re using it,” he said. That exchange can lead to improvements in everything from product specifications to available lengths and grades.
Matthew also pointed to the importance of staying flexible as markets evolve: “Maintaining flexibility as demand patterns and production dynamics change is a big takeaway.”
This ongoing dialogue between those who produce MSR and those who depend on it helps ensure the product continues to meet the needs of a changing industry.
Why Component Manufacturers Should Attend
When asked directly what they would tell other component manufacturers, all four attendees gave variations of the same answer: the value is undeniable. From pre-event activities like golf and fishing to destination locations like Orange Beach, the Workshop strikes a balance between business and enjoyment that also contributes to more open conversations and stronger relationships.
Matthew summed it all up nicely: “If you want to increase discussion and collaboration with your partners, this workshop’s a great one to attend. Plus, anytime you can find something in your industry that’s both fun and informative, you’re crazy to not attend it.”
The 2026 MSR Annual Workshop reinforced what many attendees already knew, that this is not just another industry event. The Workshop offers something increasingly rare: A chance to step back from day-to-day operations, engage with the broader industry, and return with insights that make a real difference.
In short, it’s not just worth attending — it’s worth making part of your annual plan!
The committee is already working on details for the 2027 MSR Workshop. Stay tuned to future issues of this publication and the MSRLPC website for more information as it becomes available!