President's Message: Raising the Bar Together
Professionalism, Collaboration, and the Strength of American Manufacturing
As we start a new year, I’m filled with pride and optimism about where our industry is heading. After the incredible energy and collaboration we saw at BCMC 2025, it’s clear that component manufacturers are leading the way in shaping the future of construction. The conversations, innovations, and partnerships formed there showed that we’re not just part of this industry, we’re driving it forward.
One of the key ways in which we can continue that momentum is by embracing the things that truly set us apart: professionalism, collaboration, and pride in what we build. At the heart of all three is something simple but powerful: Jobsite Packages.
Jobsite Packages Raise the Bar
If you’ve heard me speak recently, you know how strongly I feel about Jobsite Packages. They should be on every jobsite, every time. They’re not just a stack of papers or an optional extra; they are a clear reflection of who we are as an industry.
Jobsite Packages communicate best practices and support safe, effective handling and installation. More importantly, they send a message: we, structural component manufacturers, care about what happens after the trusses leave our yard. They show that we’re invested in the success of the installer, the safety of the crew, and the quality of the final structure.
That’s professionalism.
It’s not about protecting ourselves from liability. It’s about protecting everyone in the industry and demonstrating that we are leaders, not just suppliers. Every time we include a Jobsite Package, we’re helping raise the bar for the entire framing process. We’re proving that our products are value-added, not just a commodity. This is how we move beyond being seen as “just another truss provider.” We are experts, manufacturers, and partners who bring knowledge, training, and guidance to every job.
American Manufacturing
I also want to emphasize that our industry has been part of American manufacturing since the 1950s. Long before “Made in America” became a rallying cry, component manufacturers have been designing and building structural framing systems right here at home for 75 years. Today, we hear government leaders talking about the importance of strengthening American manufacturing, and I want to remind everyone that we never left. We’ve been here all along. Every truss, every wall panel, and every floor system built in your plants represents the best of American manufacturing: efficiency, quality, and pride in craftsmanship. We are proof that manufacturing in this country isn’t just possible, it’s thriving.
And it’s not just about machines and materials. It’s about people – skilled, dedicated teams who design, cut, assemble, and deliver components that allows America to keep building. That’s something we should all be proud of, and it’s something we should keep talking about. We are not a commodity industry. We are a professional trade, made up of manufacturers who deliver value on every jobsite. And that’s a story worth telling again and again.
Relationships and Shared Knowledge
One of the greatest strengths of our industry is the willingness of component manufacturers to share knowledge and ideas, which is made possible because of SBCA. No two markets are the same, and there’s so much we can learn from one another. When we take the time to visit other truss plants, talk to our peers, and compare how different regions do things, we build understanding that helps us all improve. Building long-term relationships with your peers isn’t just good networking — it’s how we grow stronger as an industry.
SBCA provides those opportunities. Through committees, plant tours, and events like BCMC, we have the chance to connect, share, and collaborate. Every conversation with another manufacturer opens a door to something new: a process, an idea, or a perspective that can help your business succeed. That kind of collaboration is what will keep this industry moving forward. It’s what turns individual manufacturers into an industry of professionals working together to raise the bar.
Carrying Our Goals Forward
As I said in my first message as President, and as I’ll continue to say, I see three main priorities guiding us over the next two years:
- Elevating Professional Standards. Jobsite Packages are at the center of this effort. They need to be on every jobsite, every time, ensuring that our products are installed safely and correctly.
- Championing Innovation and Industry Growth. Whether through new ideas, processes, or partnerships, we must keep finding ways to improve how we work and how we serve our customers.
- 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.
These goals are more than a checklist; they are a commitment. They represent the standards we should hold ourselves to every day and the direction we must continue to go in together.
As we move into 2026, I encourage every member to stay engaged. Continue the conversations that started at BCMC. Share your insights, listen to your peers, and look for ways to contribute to the collective strength of our industry. Together, we can raise the bar even higher. We can build an industry that not only meets the needs of today but sets the standard for tomorrow.
Thank you for all that you do every day to make this industry what it is. I’m honored to serve as your SBCA President and look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years ahead.
Larry Dix II, SBCA President