Automated Builder September 2009 : Page 25Alpine Linear Cutter is manned by Tony Scud- der who also is a truss designer. The Alpine computer-controlled saw is totally enclosed and will handle both rip and cross-cut projects. The CombiLift C8000 features a 17,300 lb. ca- pacity and is available in either LP gas or diesel models. Custom attachments are available for various operations. Martin also explained that during down times commercial construction frequently comes to the fore. This change of business is most common in the construction industry. “We started getting a lot of calls from commercial firms such as grocery store chains, Wal-Marts, hotels, assisted liv- ing facilities, churches and fire stations. Many of these com- mercial firms wanted steel framed walls but were not adverse to use of wood roof and floor trusses,” he adds. “It didn’t take long for us to consider that the idea of going into light gage steel framing might be a smart thing to do,” said Martin. When asked if they would consider going into their own roll forming equipment to make their own steel members for wall panels and trusses he said at the present time they were not considering roll formers. However if the steel business should continue to increase that approach might be some- thing on the agenda. At the present time they purchase their light gage steel from fabricators who specialize in parts for wall panels. They’re purchasing most of their steel members from Dietrich. Martin points out, “When you are dealing with com- mercial buyers you find that they’re a lot more profes- sional than the carpenters who generally build homes. To begin with, the home builders are often ruled by dozens of different communities who demand different things Top and bottom chords for wood trusses and wall panel plates are cut on Monet DeSauw saws. The company operates two automated Monet cutters. for homes under construction. On the other hand deal- ing with commercial customers you find they are much more professional and use the commercial codes for their buildings. Frankly I’d rather build one major commercial project than 20 houses.” The company also is very well equipped with modern machinery in their LaPorte, IN plant. Among the equipment in their factory are wall panel machinery from MiTek, Com- mercial Machinery Fabricator’s Stealth Lines for floor trusses, cutters by Monet DeSauw, Alpine saws, finish rollers and splicers by Klaisler Manufacturing, top and bottom plate cut- ting equipment by Virtek Vision Machinery and software by MiTek, Alpine, Dietrich, Argos Systems and Virtek Vision. As for the future Martin believes the firm’s operations in both Indiana and Michigan will continue to pursue both resi- dential and commercial customers offering both wood and steel components. For additional information on wood components from Midwest Building Components circle No. 141. For additional information on steel components from MBC circle No. 142. For more information on CombiLift products circle Reader Service No. 143 or visit www.combilift.com. Justin Wright, general manager, left, and Bill Martin, chief estimator and sales person of Midwest Building Components. SEPTEMBER 2009 The firm operates two large Stealth floor truss machines made by Com- mercial Machinery Fabricators. Connector plates for trusses are stored conveniently at the center of the table and workers alternately add plates top or bottom and allow the gantry to set the plates then flip the trusses to the other surface for plates. The CMF machines are virtually noiseless. 25 Publication List |
