Component Connection

Many operational risks in component manufacturing don’t show up all at once—they build quietly over time. In this two part episode, Jess Lohse, Executive Director of SBCA, and Abby Langenberg, Director of Business Development, discuss common communication and consistency challenges between the plant and the jobsite, and how small gaps in information, process, and documentation can lead to larger d...

Many operational risks in component manufacturing don’t show up all at once—they build quietly over time. In this two part episode, Jess Lohse, Executive Director of SBCA, and Abby Langenberg, Director of Business Development, discuss common communication and consistency challenges between the plant and the jobsite, and how small gaps in information, process, and documentation can lead to larger d...

2026 is a pivotal year for education and training in the SBCA Academy. In this solo episode, Ashley Baker, SBCA's Director of Education highlights the progress made in 2025, and sheds light on what’s next. Updated and advanced truss technician training, leadership development, and seamless LMS integration elevate the Academy and make learning even more efficient for companies and their teams. Whet...

In this episode, Sean Shields, Director of Marketing for SBCA, is joined by Jay Jones, P.E., Executive Director of the Truss Plate Institute (TPI). They discuss two industry standards TPI has started to develop, and Jay provides insight into how they may impact the structural building component industry.

In this episode, Molly Butz is joined by Justin Binning and Ken Timmins with American International Forest Products (AIFP) who provide a snapshot of the current lumber market. Tune in for an end of the year wrap up with updates on transportation, curtailments, and more. Justin has been with AIFP since 2010 with a focus in Southern Yellow Pine and Ken has been with AIFP since 2017, specializing in...

In this episode of Component Connection, Abby Langenberg and SBCA Executive Director Jess Lohse introduce SBCA Component Craft, a brand-new regional symposium series created to connect architects, engineers, code officials, and designers. We walk through why SBCA Component Craft was developed, who it’s designed for, what attendees can expect, and how this event aims to improve clarity, consistency...

In this episode, Ashley Baker, SBCA’s Director of Education, revisits one of BCMC’s most talked about education sessions, “Speaking the Same Language,” featuring Gil Capelini of Next Level Construction, Jacob Knott with Ace Carpentry, and Tony Acampa from Shelter Systems Limited. Together, they break down how clear, consistent communication between component manufacturers, framers, and other indus...

In this episode, Sean Shields, Director of Marketing for SBCA, is joined by Greg Greenlee, SBCA’s Technical Director, to discuss the 2027 model code development process and provide an update on SBCA's proposed changes to the code to better reflect recent changes to the ANSI/TPI 1 Standard and BCSI-2025.

In this episode of Component Connection, SBCA’s Director of Business Development, Abby Langenberg, is joined by Executive Director Jess Lohse to talk about what component manufacturers can do to stay proactive and resilient in a shifting housing market. From developing new business and promoting components locally to diversifying offerings and learning from peers, this conversation breaks down rea...

In this episode, Molly Butz is joined by Justin Binning and Ken Timmins with American International Forest Products (AIFP) who provide a snapshot of the current lumber market. Tune in for a thorough update on supply, demand, curtailments, volatility (or lack thereof), and more. Justin has been with AIFP since 2010 with a focus in Southern Yellow Pine and Ken has been with AIFP since 2017, speciali...

In this episode, Sean Shields, SBCA Director of Marketing, is joined by Greg Greenlee, P.E., SBCA’s Technical Director, on the heels of exhibiting at the annual summit for the National Council of Structural Engineers Association (NCSEA) in New York City. They recount a week of great conversations with structural engineers from across the country and break down the value of having a presence at thi...

In this episode, SBCA Director of Education, Ashley Baker sits down with the new SBCA Education Committee Chair, Adam Finkenhoefer, Components Area Manager with 84 Lumber, to reflect on this year’s BCMC educational sessions and discuss the path forward for 2025 and 2026. Together, they explore how SBCA is evolving its education strategy to look beyond the component manufacturer’s plant walls -- fo...

In this episode of Component Connection, Abby Langenberg, SBCA’s Director of Business Development, sits down with SBCA's Executive Director, Jess Lohse, on the final day of BCMC 2025 in Omaha. Together, they reflect on a show packed with innovative machinery, a strong surge in wall panel manufacturing, and over 20 new exhibitors bringing fresh perspectives to the floor. They also discuss the SBCA...

In this episode, Sean Shields, SBCA’s Director of Marketing, is joined by Steve Mickley, Executive Director of the American Institute of Building Designers. They discuss the profession of residential building designers and how component manufacturers can begin to build better lines of communication with them.

Join Abby Langenberg, SBCA Director of Business Development, and Jess Lohse, SBCA Executive Director, as they take listeners inside the Big Green House at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase. Discover how SBCA and its partners brought a 3,000-square-foot duplex to life on the National Mall in less than 12 hours using roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels. Hear about reactions from policymaker...

This episode is your backstage pass to “Celebrating Women in Construction” at BCMC and Framer Summit 2025. SBCA’s Director of Education, Ashley Baker, sits down with Shawnee Roy of TrussWorks Operations - one of three featured speakers - to preview the stories, strategies, and takeaways you’ll hear at the event, plus why this conversation is a can’t-miss for anyone building the future of our indus...

In this episode, SBCA Director of Marketing, Sean Shields, is joined by Mike Kozlowski, President of Apex Technology, to explore what it looks like when component manufacturers get involved in building design earlier in the process and how it can yield benefits to everyone involved.

In this episode, Molly Butz is joined by Justin Binning and Ken Timmins with American International Forest Products (AIFP) who provide a snapshot of the current lumber market. The market remains mostly unchanged with a potential lean toward the buyer; now may be the time to stock up. Justin has been with AIFP since 2010 with a focus in Southern Yellow Pine and Ken has been with AIFP since 2017, sp...

Join SBCA staff, Jess Lohse, Greg Greenlee, and Ashley Baker, as they unveil the brand-new BCSI training launching in the SBCA Academy on September 2nd. In this episode, the trio dives into how this streamlined, highly accessible training delivers the most essential content from the BCSI guide, making it easier than ever to understand and apply. Learn why this new resource is a must-have for anyon...

In this episode, SBCA Director of Business Development, Abby Langenberg, and SBCA Executive Director, Jess Lohse, talk the Component Warning Notice (CWN) - a critical communication and safety tool designed with the installer and those coming into contact with trusses in mind. This tool is vital for protecting everyone involved in the construction process. By making sure it’s visible and understood...

Tune in to hear from Dusty Robotics' Zach Reiss-Davis about their Supplier-led Education Session at BCMC 2025! Their autonomous robot turns digital designs into precise onsite layouts, boosting speed and accuracy for framers, designers, and builders. In this episode, we touch on integration, Dusty's role in framing and pre-manufactured components, and the quick learning curve for crews. Catch this...

In this episode, Molly Butz is joined by Justin Binning and Ken Timmins with American International Forest Products (AIFP) who provide a snapshot of the current lumber market. Several factors seem to be contributing to a largely stable lumber market, but there are hints that some markets are showing signs of growing strength. Justin has been with AIFP since 2010 with a focus in Southern Yellow Pin...

In this episode of Component Connection, SBCA Executive Director, Jess Lohse, joins host Abby Langenberg to preview what’s in store on the BCMC 2025 show floor in Omaha. With more than 70,000 square feet of exhibit space, 120+ exhibiting companies (including 20 brand-new ones), and dozens of live equipment demos, there’s a lot to take in. Jess shares insights on key tech trends—from robotics to BI...

In this episode, SBCA's Director of Marketing, Sean Shields, talks with Ben Tabolt, the Director of the Technical Development Group at MiTek. They take a look at the role of the architect and briefly discuss what it might look like for component manufacturers (CMs) to work more closely with architects, and what benefits may come from that collaboration.

The new SBCA Academy is live, and user engagement is increasing steadily. In this episode, SBCA's Education Committee Chair, Tony Acampa, and SBCA's Director of Education, Ashley Baker, dive into the transition to the new LMS and the positive changes it’s driving. They highlight the shift to micro-learning, improvements to existing courses, and what’s on the horizon for education and training. Mos...