President's Message: Outreach is One of Many Tools

Greater involvement, exposure, and collaboration is in the works

2024 is flying by. We have accomplished a lot in just a matter of months. SBCA has worked diligently on several projects as part of its ever-continuing efforts to further its mission. As the Structural Building Components Association, we want to ensure that we stay connected in the industry, reaching both our members, non-members, people within the industry and beyond.  

So far this year, SBCA and the National Framers Council (NFC) have participated in the IBS Construction Zone and in the IBS Building Systems Councils Lounge, where SBCA’s Sean Shields and NFC’s Chris Tatge spoke about the benefits of component usage, and SBCA’s Jess Lohse moderated a panel of industry experts that spoke to the value of engineered components. The panel discussed how builders are incorporating components into their projects to generate more success, quality, and overall optimization. Sean shared how recent investments into software development and production throughput are dramatically changing the capabilities and capacity for component manufacturers to partner with builders. Chris highlighted the many ways in which the preconstruction process involving components has positively impacted the framing process and how becoming a turnkey framer has improved the entire construction process. 

In addition to being asked to speak at IBS, SBCA was invited to moderate a panel at LMC’s Annual Conference. SBCA’s Molly Butz moderated a panel called, “Lumberyard and Component Manufacturing Best Practices,” featuring three LMC/SBCA members: Dave Tocci of Lehigh Structural Components, Issam Fakhoury of Apex Structural Innovation, and Brian Kerkhoff of KA Components. The panel covered a wide range of best practices related to component manufacturers selling directly to lumberyards and how to successfully navigate everything from communication and design to delivery and installation.  

In June, SBCA will return to the National Mall in Washington, DC, on June 7-9, 2024, as both an exhibitor and headline event co-sponsor at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase. SBCA will again frame a two-story home on the Mall, with the final product being donated to Habitat for Humanity for two families in need. This event is a great way for SBCA to get its name out there, as well as promote the use and benefits of structural building components, showcasing the ease and efficiency our industry brings to the construction site. We encourage our Component Manufacturers (CMs) and their own customers to attend.  

Also this summer, as part of its strategic outreach efforts, SBCA is collaborating with HUD and industry partners to bring back Framing the American Dream 3.0 in four major Texas markets: Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston. The first phase is to conduct a time-motion comparison similar to the 2015 and 1995 FAD studies, demonstrating the many ways in which component framing is an improvement over traditional stick-framing. In addition, over the two days that the component-framed house is built, SBCA will invite area framers, builders, inspectors, and others to the jobsite to watch the process and ask questions. The goal is to identify more clearly the real and perceived barriers to greater use of components in Texas markets. After the framing is complete, labor comparison studies will be conducted during the installation of HVAC mechanicals, electrical, and plumbing (MEP). The two-day framing events will then be held in the other three cities throughout 2025.  

While we continue to promote the use and benefits of components, we also need to maintain our standards, to ensure Quality Control (QC) manuals are being reviewed, and that they are in compliance with the TPI-1 Standard. As components continue to be scrutinized by building officials, it is imperative that those in the industry remain vigilant in creating and maintaining top-notch products and environments. SBCA’s Digital QC program is one of many member-benefits that is useful in this regard. This helps monitor the quality of our components, literally at one’s fingertips. Another way to ensure optimal efficiency, safety, and quality control is through SBCA’s Jobsite Packages, where it provides several helpful documents to provide a safe workspace and process. 

SBCA is hard at work developing its relationships in and beyond this industry and creating high-quality tools, while adhering to its Strategic Plan and mission. I am excited to continue these efforts, and build better relationships, while promoting the use and benefits of components. Help us in continuing these efforts by joining us for our upcoming Open Quarterly Meeting (OQM) in Bellevue, WA, July 9-11, 2024.

See you there!  

Jeff Taake, SBCA President