SBCA Innovation Grant Spotlight: Stiles Machinery

The 2026 SBCA Innovation Grant has four recipients this year, and SBCA is excited to spotlight each one leading up to BCMC in Columbus, Ohio, where attendees can see these innovations firsthand.

This week’s Innovation Grant Recipient Spotlight features Stiles Machinery.

Part of the HOMAG Group, Stiles provides automated equipment for wall panel manufacturing, mass timber, and solid wood production throughout North America.

Stiles was selected for two innovations designed to advance automation and prefabrication in wall panel manufacturing: its Automated Sealing-Tape Application and Integrated Robotic Sheathing Cell Solution.

The Automated Sealing-Tape Application automates the placement of sealing tape within the production process. Integrated with a WEINMANN bridge and operated through software, the system provides precise, repeatable tape application across multiple sheathing materials. Moving this work from the jobsite into the factory can increase prefabrication, improve quality consistency, reduce installation labor, and accelerate field assembly.

“The sealing tape applicator is about increasing the level of prefabrication,” explains Dario Schmidt, Product Manager at Stiles Machinery. “The goal for that is to cut the need for onsite labor and mistakes and just give panel shops the possibility to do more in house.”

The Integrated Robotic Sheathing Cell Solution combines sheet pre-cutting, material buffering and sorting, and robotic sheathing in one synchronized production system. The system delivers materials when needed, minimizing manual handling while improving throughput and reducing waste. Built from proven technologies, it offers scalable automation for different manufacturing operations.

“This pre-cutting sheeting cell solves two common problems,” says Dario. “One is slow, physically demanding sheeting work, and then the other one is unnecessary material waste.”

The innovations were developed independently but support Stiles’ approach to improving output, reducing labor needs, and increasing wall panel quality. Stiles also adapts proven European technologies to the North American market. 

“We were excited about [receiving the Grant]. For a machinery company, innovation is key. It’s quite encouraging that the market responded to both,” Dario says.

Stiles is particularly excited to discuss the sealing-tape applicator with North American customers and learn how it could best fit their operations.

“I think that's why it's so great that we can bring it [to BCMC] and showcase it,” says Dario. “BCMC is the place to be when you want to talk with component manufacturers.”

Stiles’ innovations will be featured alongside the other recipients on the BCMC show floor’s Innovation Alley at Booth 202. The People’s Choice Innovator will be voted on throughout BCMC week and announced during the Industry Celebration on Thursday, September 17.

Learn more about Stiles Machinery.