Component Connection

Richard Langton at Bowermaster & Associates has worked with the component manufacturing industry for 21 years and knows intimately the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. In this podcast, Richard explores the ramifications of a hardening insurance market and how manufacturers should consider responding to it.

Ryan Hikel and Jason Valis finish their discussion on how their two companies have learned how to leverage the expertise of the other and offer a collective solution to GCs in their market. In this episode, Hikel and Valis use a very prominent framing challenge to illustrate how their collaboration enables a streamlined approach to problem solving.

Ryan Hikel and Jason Valis continue to explore how their two companies have learned how to leverage the expertise of the other and offer a collective solution to GCs in their market. In this episode, Hikel and Valis talk about how they were able to complete the largest affordable housing project in Maryland ahead of schedule and under budget all while navigating the initial outbreak of COVID.

Bradley Hartmann, founder of Behind Your Back Sales, shares how companies can refocus their sales efforts to transform the relationships they have with their customers and create more dynamic sales opportunities that expand the products and services customers rely on them to provide going forward.

Bradley Hartmann, founder of Behind Your Back Sales, shares how today’s market favors component manufacturers over their customers, creating an opportunity for savvy companies to leverage their expertise and unique framing solutions to improve profitability and expand future market share.

Ryan Hikel and Jason Valis know they have a good thing going. Shelter Systems is great at making roof and floor trusses. Bruce Jones Contracting is awesome at making wall panels and framing buildings. Together, their companies have learned how to leverage the expertise of the other and offer a collective solution to GCs in their market. In this episode, Hikel and Valis talk about their value propo...

In this episode, we rejoin Dean Rana and Michael Miller who provide more insight into how they have convinced framers to move from sticks to panels. They discuss the evolving needs of framers and builders and how they have altered their wall panel business to keep up. Dean and Michael also talk about characteristics of framers who succeed using wall panels versus those that don’t, and share how th...

Dean Rana and Michael Miller have taken on the tough challenge of selling wall panel systems to Arizona framing contractors. In this episode, Rana and Miller give some insight into how they have convinced framers to move from sticks to panels and explain the value proposition they sell to the market. They also speak to how wall panels excel in a time when building material costs are rising.

Steve Stroder and Shawn Overholtzer share how California TrusFrame (CTF) is partnering with their plate supplier and a framing contractor to solve the growing challenge of shear walls in large, wood-framed buildings. Steve and Shawn explain how partnering with MiTek to incorporate their cold-formed steel picture frame product into CTF’s wall panel line has proved to be a win-win solution for field...

Don Groom, partner and CEO of Trussworks in Caldwell, Texas, shares how he successfully navigated the many early challenges he faced when starting his own component manufacturing operation. He explains how his friendships throughout the industry played a huge role in helping him ensure Trussworks started on a solid foundation, and he gives advice on the fundamentals to focus on to make it through...

Austin Huskey, CEO of Huskey Truss and Building Supply in Franklin, Tennessee, shares what it was like growing up in a family-owned building material and component manufacturing operation. He explores what it’s like to be part of a national buying cooperative and how Huskey Truss is diversifying to stay ahead of the competition. He also discusses how their company is weathering the COVID-19 pandem...

Ken Kucera, vice president of installed sales and manufacturing for 84 Lumber, explains what has driven the company’s recent growth and how component package sales fit into their overall business strategy. 84 Lumber was founded in 1956 and operates more than 250 stores in 30 states, which are serviced by their component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, custom millwork shops, and engineered...

Margaret Whelan is the CEO and Founder of Whelan Advisory LLC, a boutique investment bank that provides tailored services to housing companies that are looking to raise capital or pursue an M&A transaction. Her firm has advised several innovative companies in the industry including Entekra, Raney, Trumark, ResiBuilt, and Innovative Construction Group. She discusses how modular framing is creating...

Art Schmon, a partner at Forest Economic Advisers, shares his perspective on wood-framed floor systems. Art discusses how floor system framing options have evolved over the years and the market pressures that have driven those changes. He also provides insight into what he expects will happen with I-joist and floor truss market share in the near future and the opportunities he sees for component m...

Quality control and quality assurance are both important parts of the component manufacturing process, but what are they? How are they different? And how can they work together to make your manufacturing process better? Listen in as Jess Lohse and Molly Butz from SBCA staff talk through the QC and QA processes, answer the tough questions, and shed some light on the specifics of SBCA’s Digital QC a...

Hardy Wentzel, CEO of Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation, explains what CLT is and how it's made. He also shares what prompted the original development of CLT and what is driving its current adoption in North America. In addition, Hardy explores how the 2021 model codes will expand CLT construction and potentially create more market opportunities for component manufacturers.

Mike Bugbee, part owner of Oregon Truss in Salem, Oregon, shares his perspectives on the evolution of the component manufacturing industry through the lens of his long career at Simpson Strong-Tie. He explains how his relationships with early pioneers in component manufacturing helped influence today’s industry, and how his sales approach can help component manufacturers expand their markets today...

Gene Frogale is the president of Annandale Millwork & Allied Systems in Winchester, Virginia, and Jeff Taake is the vice president of manufacturing and commercial sales at Mead Lumber Co. with component operations throughout the upper Midwest. Listen as Gene and Jeff relate on how their organizations have reacted to COVID-19 and their outlooks for the immediate future in the component manufacturin...

Mike Ruede and Scott Ward discuss the various challenges the COVID-19 Coronavirus has created for their businesses and what they are doing to overcome them. Mike is the COO of A-1 Roof Trusses in Fort Pierce, Florida, and Scott is an owner at Southern Components located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Listen as they share insights, best practices and their outlook beyond this pandemic.

Joe Hikel and Steve Stroder discuss their reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they're leading their businesses through the various challenges they've faced in recent weeks. Joe is the CEO and President of Shelter Systems Limited and Steve Stroder is the CEO and President of California TrusFrame. They provide insights into how the remainder of 2020 will look and how their companies will be i...

Dave Mitchell is the general manager and Zach Shepherd is the operations manager at Engineered Building Design (EBD) in Washington, Iowa. Dave and Zach discuss how they are evolving EBD to grow while still retaining a loyal customer base in a competitive market. They also share their insights into EBD's business model and internal culture, as well as what success will look like in five years.

Scott Arquilla, former co-owner, vice president, and COO of Best Homes, Inc., shares how his family got started in the homebuilding industry and the unique challenges they faced operating in the Chicago market. Scott discusses why he got involved in SBCA and what prompted him to join the Board of Directors in 1997. While SBCA president in 2003, his truss plant burned to the ground. He reflects on...

Jason Ward, vice president of human resources for California TrusFrame LLC, shares best practices for hiring new employees, creating a positive workplace culture, and understanding applicable HR-related regulations. Jason has 19 years of HR experience, and in his current role leading CTF’s overall HR strategy he offers great insight into how to successfully onboard new employees and instill a sens...

Reggie Stoltzfus, owner and president of Dutchcraft Truss in Minerva, Ohio, shares his experience as a component manufacturer (CM)and member of the Ohio House of Representatives. Reggie discusses why he chose to serve in government and became an advocate for small businesses and CMs across his state, while highlighting the value building relationships with elected officials can bring to your busin...

Dean DeHoog is the director of manufacturing for Standard Building Systems, a US LBM company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His extensive experience and unique journey informs his powerful perspective on the industry's strengths and current challenges. Dean shares his own approach to management and gives insight into the US LBM culture.