SBCA Announces 2023 Innovation Grant Recipient

SBCA is pleased to announce its inaugural 2023 Innovation Grant in 2023 was a huge success with 27 separate submissions. Applications came from every corner of the industry, from new software solutions to new framing products to new production equipment. While it was a difficult process to narrow the field, a panel of SBCA judges reviewed all the submissions and chose one grant recipient for 2023: the Vekta Automation Raking Framer.

SBCA launched the grant this year as a way to encourage individuals and companies to bring forward their ideas and prototypes and spur more rapid innovation within the component manufacturing industry. Grant recipients are offered up to 1,000 square feet of BCMC|FS (Building Component Manufacturers Conference & Framer Summit) exhibit floor space to showcase their concepts at the industry’s premier event. Including the free exhibit passes and hotel rooms, the grant has a potential value of $14,655 and exposes them to the broadest possible audience within the structural framing industry.

Vekta has provided customized, automated machinery for the timber truss and frame industry for many years, but it has recently developed a prototype of an automated linear process for optimizing the production of raking walls while minimizing waste. Watch this video to learn more about Vekta’s concept:

In their grant application, Vekta embarked on lengthy research and development after receiving feedback from their customers on the various challenges associated with prefabrication of raking walls. Make sure to visit Vekta’s exhibit booth on the 2023 BCMC|FS show floor to learn more about their prototype, pilot site testing, and plans to start commercial production of the Vekta Raking Framer in early 2024.