President's Message: More Than Just Another Truss
Elevating Our Industry Through Professionalism and Innovation
I am honored to begin my term as President of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA). To serve in this role, following in the footsteps of so many great leaders, is a privilege I do not take lightly. I want to begin by thanking Jeff Taake for his service and commitment over the past two years. Jeff has led SBCA through important conversations and initiatives, and I am grateful for his leadership. I also want to thank the SBCA Board of Directors, SBCA Staff, our committees, and most importantly, our members. Without your dedication, innovation, and willingness to collaborate, our industry would not be where it is today.
Jobsite Packages: Leading with Professionalism
One of the areas I am most passionate about is Jobsite Packages. Jobsite Packages should be on every jobsite. They are not just a convenient add-on. They communicate best practices, reduce risk on site, and provide builders with the tools they need to build safely and efficiently.
When we make sure a Jobsite Package is included, we are leading as a true professional industry. The BCSI guide, training resources, and other materials SBCA has developed make Jobsite Packages one of the strongest ways we can demonstrate our value. It shows builders, framers, and code officials that we are committed to doing things the right way every time.
By consistently delivering Jobsite Packages, we are reinforcing that we are not just supplying components, but providing the knowledge and guidance that make those components successful in the field. That is the mark of a professional industry, and it is a standard we must all embrace.
The Cost of Doing Business Today
When we started this industry, it was possible to get into business for a few hundred thousand dollars. Now it costs a few hundred thousand dollars for a saw, a couple hundred thousand dollars for a floor truss machine, and over a million dollars for a gantry, not including electrical and a roof over our buildings. What was once a few hundred thousand dollars can now be millions of dollars just to get started on a small scale.
I ask each of you to lean into this moment. Use Jobsite Packages. Embrace new technologies. Share your knowledge with your peers. Together, we can shape the future of this industry, not as commodity suppliers, but as leaders of a true professional trade.
This dramatic change shows how far we have come. Our level of investment today reflects the technology and sophistication of our operations. We are now the best software operators on the construction supply and installation side, giving us the ability to do things in minutes that once would have taken hours to complete.
Technology and Innovation
We now have a digital inspection process, and the sky is the limit. SBCA’s Digital QC, a program available to every SBCA component manufacturer member, allows us to check trusses against design specs with incredible speed and accuracy, eliminating errors that used to cause costly rework. The advances in software and automation mean we can deliver designs, layouts, and shop drawings to customers in record time.
The ability to operate at this level means we need to become the industry leaders, and not wait to be led by our customers. Too often the products we manufacture are viewed as commodities. But that is not what we sell, instead we design and sell customized products. We are a software and technology-driven industry. We offer cutting-edge solutions, not just another truss.
Software, data, design, and automation are no longer optional. They are the core of our operations. We must make sure that we tell this story and present ourselves as leaders in the construction industry. Our story is one of innovation, safety, and professionalism.
Technology also changes the way our workforce develops. The next generation entering our companies is already comfortable with digital tools, and our industry can offer them exciting career paths in design, manufacturing, and operations. By positioning ourselves as a forward-thinking, technology-driven industry, we not only will attract and keep talent, but also secure the future of our businesses.
Goals for the Next Two Years
As I look ahead to my two-year term as President, I see three main priorities:
- Elevating Professional Standards. Jobsite Packages play a major role in this. They should be on every jobsite, ensuring that our products are installed safely and correctly.
- Championing Technology and Innovation. We need to highlight the incredible advancements our industry has made in software, design, and digital quality control, and support members in adopting these tools.
- Strengthening Our Industry Voice. SBCA must continue to position component manufacturers as leaders, not followers. We need to share our story with builders, regulators, and the next generation of our workforce.
A Call to Lead
The challenges we face are significant. Costs are high, labor is tight, and the pace of change is fast. But the opportunities are even greater. SBCA is stronger than it has ever been, and our ability to influence the future of construction has never been more clear.
I ask each of you to lean into this moment. Use Jobsite Packages. Embrace new technologies. Share your knowledge with your peers. Together, we can shape the future of this industry, not as commodity suppliers, but as leaders of a true professional trade.
Thank you again for the honor of serving as your President. I look forward to working alongside all of you in the years ahead to continue building an industry we can all be proud of.
Larry Dix II, SBCA President