Parting Shots: Getting Fresh Ideas

When looking at opportunities to increase structural component production capacity through equipment automation, one of the primary examples many point to is the automotive industry. Component manufacturers (CMs) and lumber producers had a chance to tour one of the nation’s most advanced vehicle manufacturing facilities run by Nissan in Smyrna, Tennessee, as part of the 2019 MSR Workshop in April. Plant tours like these give everyone a fresh perspective on production issues. 

“It was an incredible facility,” says Sean Kelly, owner and president of Automated Products in Marshfield, Wisconsin (pictured seated at right with Jack Dermer, owner and president of American Truss in Houston, Texas). “I found it fascinating how they took what seemed like counter-intuitive approaches to increase their production efficiency. It encourages me to think more outside the box when I look at our own processes.” 

SBCA’s new Equipment Council is tasked with looking closely at these kinds of opportunities for the benefit of all CMs. If you’d like to know more about the Equipment Council, please contact Molly Butz.