If you are anything like me, you were delighted with the new format and content of the January issue. Congratulations to Anna and Thom on producing a first rate resource periodical. I was delighted to see new articles by Carl Schoening at Eagle Metal Products, Sean Hubbard at Square 1 Design and Manufacture and Joe Kannapell at MiTek USA, joining myself and the other monthly columnist. The issue was packed with ads for new and used equipment, jobs and job seekers and other information to give the Component Manufacturers the facts they need to do the job they have at hand today. Heck, the value of Matt Layman’s Lumber Market Strategy postings could easily add thousands of dollars to your bottom line annually.
What’s next? Hopefully Thom and Anna will keep up the great work and reach out to our sister trade associations and customer groups and see if we can get them to participate too. Maybe we could start an exchange with the National Association of Home Builders and the National Frame Builders Association and get monthly updates on their projects and initiatives, needs and desires. Hopefully we will get more of the suppliers to the Component Manufacturing industry to tell us all what they’d like us to know about their products, services and industry workings. Is the future of component manufacturing in 3D printing? What about cross laminated timber in place of open studded wall panels? Could we be doing more for our Builder friends? How can we help? What about other parts of the construction industry? Could we be supplying pre-cut or pre-assembled components for their use, at cost much lower that they have today? Should we ask?
Let me pause to congratulate and commend the American Wood Council for their first submission in this months Advertiser. I’m excited for their continued involvement and look forward to helping establish a real connection between them and the Component Manufacturing industry. Welcome aboard, AWC!
One thing is for certain; talking to one another has never hurt anyone. Open honest communication is the basis for trust and trust is the backbone for mutually beneficial relationships. I personally hope that we can get monthly installments from many, if not all of our partner associations, councils and customers. This would serve as an excellent communication tool and a place where CMs, suppliers, customers, code officials and standards developers can converse openly about whatever issue or event, new product launch or need, code issue or update may be on their minds. Let’s talk about the aging workforce and the need to work together, and harder, at developing our replacements and future generation of CMs. We are not alone in this battle. Every related industry is experiencing similar challenges. How do we make responsible forestry, transportation, development, building construction and component manufacturing sexy for the generations now in high school, post-secondary education, the military or those looking for later-in-life careers? Opening our doors for plant tours to all of these groups is one way, but surely talking about our experiences with others facing a similar plight is another. Collectively, we should be able to work towards building sustainable solutions. The same can be said for working with the lumber companies on supply, quality and design values…working with the fire service on sprinklers, fire assemblies and building safety…and working with the builders on efficiency, sustainability, durability and permanence. Together we can do great things.
Thanks for reading, S
P.S. Let’s also congratulate and commend the TPI Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for its thoughtful selection of Professor Don Bender, Washington State University, as the new academic member of TAC. Don replaces Steve Cramer, University of Wisconsin, who resigned in 2014. Welcome, Don!
Stan Sias – National Manager
Plated Truss Industry at Simpson Strong-Tie