Identifying Innovation in the Structural Framing Industry
Introduction
Defining what constitutes innovation as an industry can be a difficult task. As individuals we all define innovation slightly differently. To set the stage for this survey, we’re defining innovation as a product, service, business model, or strategy that's both novel and useful. Innovations don't have to be major breakthroughs in technology or new business models; they can be as simple as upgrades to an existing service/process or features added to an existing product.
Which role best describes what you do at your company:
*
Production employee (including sawyer)
Truss Designer
IT Personnel
Sales
Admin/Office
Accounting
Management/Leadership
Truck Driver
How long have you worked in component manufacturing?
*
Less than a year
1-5 years
5-10 years
15-20 years
20+ years
Current material handling of lumber from storage to the saws: what level of innovation/automation are you using (check all that apply)?
*
Manual (carrying lumber from storage to saws)
Manual carts
Forklift
Automated Carts
Non-Powered Conveyors
Powered Conveyors
Other
Current saw technology: what level of innovation/automation are you using (check all that apply)?
*
Circular saw
Fully Manual Radial arm saw (Metra Cut)
Semi-Automated radial arm saw (Mango/Speed-Cut Express)
Component saw
Linear saw
Other
Current material handling of cut stock from the saw to the table: what level of innovation/automation are you using (check all that apply)?
*
Manual (carrying lumber from saw to table)
Manual carts
Forklift
Automated Carts
Non-Powered Conveyors
Powered Conveyors
Other
Current table technology: what level of innovation/automation are you using (check all that apply)?
*
Plywood tables
Metal tables
Manual pucks
Automated pucks
Laser-assisted positioning
Roller press
Hydraulic press
Automated nailer
Automated router
C-clamp press/pedestals
Overhead screens
Mobile/handheld screens
Other
Current post-production material handling: what level of innovation/automation are you using (check all that apply)?
Hand stacking
Automated stackers
Manual rollers
Automated rollers
Conveyors
Finish roller/press
Automated banding
Manual banding
Other
Future Innovation
FUTURE material handling of lumber from storage to the saws: what level of innovation/automation aren’t you using that you would like to use in the future (check all that apply)?
*
Manual (carrying lumber from storage to saws)
Manual carts
Forklift
Automated carts
Conveyors
Other
FUTURE saw technology: what level of innovation/automation aren’t you using that you would like to use in the future (check all that apply)?
*
Circular saw
Fully Manual Radial arm saw (Metra Cut)
Semi-Automated radial arm saw (Mango/Speed-Cut Express)
Radial arm saw
Component saw
Linear saw
Other
FUTURE material handling of cut stock from the saw to the table: what level of innovation/automation aren’t you using that you would like to use in the future (check all that apply)?
*
Manual (carrying lumber from saw to table)
Manual carts
Forklift
Automated carts
Conveyors
Other
FUTURE table technology: what level of innovation/automation aren’t you using that you would like to use in the future (check all that apply)?
*
Plywood tables
Metal tables
Manual pucks
Automated pucks
Laser-assisted positioning
Roller press
Hydraulic press
Automated nailer
Automated router
C-clamp press/pedestals
Overhead screens
Mobile/handheld screens
Other
FUTURE post-production material handling: what level of innovation/automation aren’t you using that you would like to use in the future (check all that apply)?
*
Hand stacking
Automated stackers
Manual rollers
Automated rollers
Conveyors
Finish roller/press
Automated banding
Manual banding
Other
What are the pain points in your current operations? (Where are there needless frustrations? Where are you wasting your time or your customers’ time? Which processes are overly complex?)
*
Labor (hiring)
Employees (training)
Information technology (IT) infrastructure
Accounting
Ability to invest in operations
Sales
Marketing
Issues with competition
Design
Production
Delivery
Service calls, back charges, repairs
Other, please explain
What kind of innovation would create the biggest impact on your operation?
*
Equipment: automation/robotics
Materials: alternatives to traditional lumber
Offsite: more prefabrication/modularization (eg. roof panels vs. roof trusses)
Software: 3D modeling, BIM, integrations with architectural/engineering software
Collaboration: working more closely with architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create integrated solutions that optimize the entire building systems
Education: training programs/educational resources to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits and capabilities of components
Other product, process, or service; please describe
Rate on a scale from 1-10 your willingness to invest in innovation that solves a significant pain point with an ROI of 3-5 years. (where 1 is not willing and 10 is very willing)
*
Not Willing
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Very Willing
10
1 is Not Willing, 10 is Very Willing
Rate on a scale from 1-10 your willingness to invest in innovation that solves a significant pain point with an ROI of 5-7 years. (where 1 is not willing and 10 is very willing)
*
Not Willing
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Very Willing
10
1 is Not Willing, 10 is Very Willing
Rate on a scale from 1-10 your willingness to invest in innovation that solves a significant pain point with an ROI of 7-10 years. (where 1 is not willing and 10 is very willing)
*
Not Willing
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Very Willing
10
1 is Not Willing, 10 is Very Willing
Submit
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