If you think the rise of the Internet over the past 45 years has been awe-inspiring… buckle up and keep your eyes on the road ahead. The Internet is now merging together with the real world at a meteoricpace and grand scale. You are no doubt familiar with this “marriage” between the Internet and real […]
The post 5 Ways the Internet of Things Will Transform Manufacturing appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>If you think the rise of the Internet over the past 45 years has been awe-inspiring… buckle up and keep your eyes on the road ahead. The Internet is now merging together with the real world at a meteoricpace and grand scale.
You are no doubt familiar with this “marriage” between the Internet and real world. It’s the Internet of Things, or IoT. It’s a whole new revolution that is changing entire industries in countless ways.
IoT is not a revolutionary breakthroughthat just popped up yesterday, of course. Take IoT in transportation and home automation, for example. For years now, we’ve been checking traffic online in real-time before we leave the office… then summoning Uber and Lyft cars via our smartphones… and telling our smart thermostatsto dialour homes to a comfy 75 degrees by the time the Uber drops us off at our front door.
Regardless of the many great IoT breakthroughs we’ve seen to date, we have definitely seen nothing yet. In fact, IoT appears to be not just in the first inning of the ballgame, but perhaps the first pitch.
For our 49 years in manufacturing, our world has been defined by geometries, tolerances, materials, finishes and many other physical constraints. Much different, of course, from my friends in software whose world is defined by code, data, algorithms and “soft” constraints.
With the rapid evolution of sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics and more, we are seeing our two worlds collide. The software world and the real world. The computer-networked Internet with the emerging Internet of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, factories, and anything made of atoms. One day, we’ll even have the Internet of the human body (but let’s digress and stick to the Internet of THINGS for now).
Our physical “things” will be more and more embedded, out-of-the-box, with sensors, electronics, actuators, software, and Internet connectivity all built-in. The “things” will sense and collect data, and communicate with other “things” and computers.
The benefits and efficiencies that IoT will offer will extend far beyond the consumer products sector, of course. The impact that IoT will have on the manufacturing world, specifically, will be extraordinary. In fact, it already is extraordinary.
Here at Specialty Design, we have our eyes on the road ahead in terms of Industrial IoT. I want to outline just 5 examples of how we anticipate IoT will improve manufacturing here at Specialty and across the globe. Some of these benefits are already happening today, and some will surely come in the near to distant future:
1) You can already start to utilize IoT today. Sure, you say… IoT provides great benefits and all, but how can a long-established factory justify an investment in IoT that would require re-building the entire facility from the ground up?
I’ve been following an exciting tech start-up that provides a solution — a plug-and-play IoT solution, actually. They are n-Join, and they have installed their plug-and-play IoT systems with companies that manufacture products ranging from nylon fibers to pudding snacks — including Coca-Cola facilities on multiple continents.
The n-Join team can enter a pre-existing factory, such as a Coca-Cola bottling facility, and enable its desktop-sized device to listen to and analyze 100% of the data from the plant’s diverse machines in real-time. n-Join’s system can then use that information to provide customized insights and tools to the plant’s management. Engineers instantly have at their disposal: Unprecedented visibility across the entire production line, forensic and root cause analyses capabilities to detect system bottlenecks and diagnose production problems, and the ability to proactively identify opportunities for preventative maintenance. The fact that an IoT system can be plug-and-play and provide these benefits is amazing.
A self-adapting, autonomous, user-friendly, easy to install, and affordable IoT platform is available not in 5-10 years, but today. The vision is to “transform any factory into a smart factory.”
2) We’ll continue to make worksites safer. IoT will provide another layer of safety in dangerous industries that simply can’t have enough safety checks: Mining, oil drilling, foundries, chemical plants, hospitals. IoT could provide the safety feedback that could prevent another BP deepwater oil drilling tragedy, or a Chilean mining disaster.
One IoT installer, for example, has developed an end-to-end miner safety program that provides real-time communication between miners, machines and operators. Or, a marketplace of smart air-quality sensors is emerging to alert people about temperature, humidity, dust, carbon dioxide, toxic chemical, and overall air quality abnormalities.
The workers and end users from an IoT-connected factory will benefit from external data in the networked system as well. A real-time external database could notify sensors in food processing plants to test for recently reported bacterial or viral strains. E. Coli could be caught in a distribution plant well before being served to a Chipotle customer. Or weather services and/or ocean sensors could communicate detailed data to shipping captains, and help prevent maritime disaster from storms.
3) We (humans) will be free to work on more value-added projects. My brother works for IBM Watson, who is on the vanguard of IoT and cognitive computing (or AI) in the medical field. As he can attest, Watson is already assisting doctors and helping patients in incredible ways. One way, for example, is to have Watson scan patient data and present anomalies to doctors up-front. Watson can read the data with lightning speed and compare a patient’s labs to patterns from thousands of other patients’ labs uploaded to the platform. Doctors can then devote time instead to more value-added projects, save hours of time in the process, and patients receive more focused and informed care plans.
If we can utilize IoT and AI to help the complex human body, we will surely utilize these technologies to help improve our equipment and factories as well. Pharmaceutical researchers, for example, will use IoT, AI and robotics to more efficiently automate the formulation of new drugs. The net gain of productivity from the automation will reduce time-to-market for drugs, and allow researchers to focus on the most complex and/or urgent medical needs.
At one of their installation sites, n-Join’s system discovered opportunities for significant cost and time savings on critical cleaning operations. Before their IoT implementation, fluctuating soda concentrations would compromise the cleaning process and lead to overuse of the expensive material, release of contaminated water, and investment of significant time to track down the source and frequency of the problem. n-Join’s IoT solution provided all the necessary visual data to pinpoint the source of the problem, monitor the problem going forward, eliminate waste, save money, lessen the environmental impact, and allow the engineers to focus on other critical plant improvements. All thanks to IoT… all in a days work!
4) IoT will monitor the supply chain and provide immense cost savings. With the proliferation of low-cost, accurate and connected sensors, automated factories will become more and more efficient. Assembly lines may soon tap into IoT to self-diagnose and repair themselves. When perishable tooling such as cutters, inserts and drill bits become worn-down, equipment will not only swap out the tooling itself, but connect to its supplier via the network to order replacements.
Tomorrow, the machines themselves will surely interface with commercial partssuppliers, such as McMaster-Carr and Fastenal,through the IoT to order replacement parts.
This all means less down time. Better asset utilization. Lower total cost of ownership. More focused and efficient workforce. More accurate and actionable performance metrics. More focused expenditures. Proactive part replacements and repairs. And, ultimately – if planned right – a better bottom line.
Factories that leverage IoT AND AI, machine learning, robotics, and/or advanced analytics will realize even greater breathtaking gains in efficiency and output.
One such case study worth checking out is the US $7.6mm annual savings that IBM’s IoT and Analytics groups helped return to oil/gas producer Santos. Their IoT system records and utilizes both structured and unstructured data to improve their operation and bottom line.
Another interesting IoT application is King’s Hawaiian Bread’s recent investment in 11 specialized, Rockwell programmed, IoT-connected machines, which help them create an automated, connected, efficient facility. Since installation, the IoT has helped double their bread production.
These are amazing automation breakthroughs, and again, we’re arguably just in Inning 1 in this new era of IoT in manufacturing.
5) IoT will connect us logistically too. As I noted before, we’re already most familiar with IoT through consumer-centric companies such as Uber and Lyft that have leveraged IoT to redefine how we can efficiently get from A to B.
Fittingly, IoT logistics will ultimately evolve further to seamlessly connect our interconnected factories (whoa, now we’re getting meta).
Add to the mix IoT-connected, self-driving vehicles, trucks, trains, planes and drones, and eventually the entire supply chain will be a fully interconnected system. Consider how far along UPS’s IoT-connected trucks already are today. UPS’s trucks can each make 150 to 200 stops per day because of their monster-size, globally-connected IoT system. The trucks’ sensors and UPS database work together to minimize left turns, monitor and reduce braking, minimize driving in reverse, and maintain information about every property they ever visit. UPS saves tens of millions each year on these incremental, logistical improvements.
IoT isn’t just for outdoor logistics either. Tech start-ups like Indoor Atlas are emerging to address indoor geopositioning. Raw material, moveable equipment and more will move autonomously throughout factories. IoT connected machines will communicate with IoT connected trucks, and deliver the products out into the sunset (although the sun probably won’t be IoT-connectable, by the way).
It will be one big IoT-connected circle of life. The supply chain will be connected from raw product, to manufacturing, and all the way to the consumer’s doorstep. Just as the Internet alone has redefined almost every type of human activity, be prepared to adapt to how IoT will redefine the manufacturing process and overall economics in ways we haven’t even conceived yet.
Buckle up!
Astheautomated machines anddriverless carscontinue tosteer the wheels of industry, this revolution will have a greater and greater impact on society as we know it. Along with the economic benefits, there will surely be economic consequences as well.
We’d all be wise to keep oureyes focused intently on the IoT-paved road ahead.
photo credit: aldenjewell 1951 Plymouth Assembly Line via photopin (license)
photo credit: Steve Jurvetson – Flickr: Tesla Autobots, CC BY 2.0, Link
The post 5 Ways the Internet of Things Will Transform Manufacturing appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>By Justin Knabb, Vice President Albert S. Knabb, founder of Specialty Design & Manufacturing, passed away on December 19, 2014. He resided in Fleetwood, PA, and was born on February 24, 1937. Albert was a young, talented and ambitious toolmaker in 1967, the year he started Specialty. With not much more thana $7,000 bank […]
The post Remembering Our Founder, Albert S. Knabb appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>Al Knabb in Wyoming, 1973
By Justin Knabb, Vice President
Albert S. Knabb, founder of Specialty Design & Manufacturing, passed away on December 19, 2014. He resided in Fleetwood, PA, and was born on February 24, 1937.
Albert was a young, talented and ambitious toolmaker in 1967, the year he started Specialty. With not much more thana $7,000 bank loan, his toolmaker papers and rolodex, Al beganhis entrepreneurial journey.
Twogenerations later, I am proud to say Al’s business continuesto thrive and stand the test of time. I am Al’s grandson, and along with my father, Craig (Al’s son), we manage Specialty today– which has now grown into 2 successful businesses, both serving manufacturers and home builders around the country.
Albert loved Specialty Design. He was active and influential up until his passing. He was a true visionary in his field — being among the first in our state to provide CNC machining services in the 1970s, selling the groundbreaking Costimator software in the 1980s, starting a gutter manufacturing and supply business from scratch, and attractingtop manufacturing talent to join our company. Albert was truly one of a kind, and will be greatly missed.
I would like to share myeulogyto Albert that I gave atthe service to celebrate his life at Zion Spies Evangelical Reformed Church in Oley, PA on December 27:
* * * *
I’m deeply honored to have my time to talk about Al. My Pop Pop, and my friend.
My brother and father also have much to share about Al’s extraordinary life. I’ll focus in on one key thing he was great at: Connecting with people and bringing them together.
I’ll first take us back to a cold February night in 2007. It became dark early, and the roads were icy, and it was one of those nights my grandparents would prefer to just stay in and watch “So You Think You Can Dance.”
But Al couldn’t stay in that night! He had to meet us at the Berkshire Country Club for dinner – me, Tyler, Dad and Fay. The four of us… oh, and also about 75-100 of his friends. As we know, Al loved socializing, but this time it was Shirley pulling him out the door. And meanwhile we were all at the club, anxiously waiting to surprise him.
As you may have guessed, the occasion I’m referring to was Al’s 70th birthday. We were all there to celebrate his life. And all of us were willing to embark on a mini Iditarod adventure to make it happen.
Yes, Pop Pop, only you could bring people together, even under the most extreme of conditions. We came because you were fun, and charming, and unique, and genuine, and caring, and funny.
Oh man, was my grandfather funny. Albert was magnetic. Just think of all the laughs that Albert has given all of us in this room.
Now Pop Pop would interrupt me here and clarify that the clear and undisputed hero of this night was not he, nor us adventurous partygoers, but rather Shirley Knabb. She and only she could achieve the impossible task of convincing him to suit up for a casual dinner on the town, on the coldest, nastiest night of the year.
And succeed she did, as Al’s town car eventually pulled up to the club’s entrance. He dropped Mom Mom off at the door, like the gentleman he was. He parked and then walked up and into the lobby….. SURPRISE!!
And there it was: that delightful look on his face. A look I have loved my entire life.
His eyes warmed up, a slight and humble smile drew across his lips, and a subtle quiver from his chin… he was getting emotional, or maybe he just bit into a sour lemon.
He revealed that look of appreciation not just that night, but so often. A look that communicates his genuine feelings of happiness, love and gratitude all in one.
There were so many moments like that in that man’s life, weren’t there?
I will picture this image of him forever.
So you may be wondering – was Al truly surprised? Did Shirley pull it off? Did we actually fool this brilliant and clever man?
Well, after Al’s large crowd of friends calmed down, and hugs were exchanged, Al paused. He raised his hand and then pulled a small note from his suit coat.
He thanked us all for coming, and read this aloud:
I figured you were tricking me tonight, when I was sitting on the toilet. [Here are my top 5 reasons why:]
#1. [Shirley,] you never want to go out on a Friday night.
#2. You never want to go out when there’s a chance the driveway will be icy.
#3. The Berkshire never cancels any parties.
#4. Craig wasn’t at work all day. Probably [at home] working on pictures.
And the kicker, #5. “Elsie finishing our call on speaker phone saying ‘[Well], we’ll see you tonight!’”
So was Al surprised? Turns out Al turned the surprise back on all of us.
* * * *
We all knew Al Knabb as a great man, a special man, but I also knew him as the coolest grandfather. He had a palpable presence when he entered a room, yet a profound gentleness that soothed in the best of the times, and the toughest of times. He never took himself too seriously, but he also had more self-respect than anyone. He loved roasting all of us, and he accepted the teasing in return.
He delivered his wit and friendship to us through various means, of course—through colorful emails, through phone calls, through butt dials, through texts, through dinners, drinks, and also through class reunions, which he would work so hard to organize.
Al listened intently, but also led boldly. He was the builder of 2 successful businesses. Al was a salesman extraordinaire, a talented toolmaker, an inspiring leader, a super-connector.
Al was a frequent flyer – at the Riveredge Bar & Lounge, at the Berkshire tap room, the YR Club, and the Fish Pond – all places where he would spend time with his dear friends.
Every other Thursday each summer at the Fish Pond, he would hold court at his favorite table on the patio. Now, maybe this just happened on the nights I joined him, but it seemed that before lobster was served, every single member would make sure to stop and pay Al a visit. Frankly there were nights Tyler and I legitimately wondered: Is our grandfather Don Corleone?
And always the salesman, Al also sold my grandmother on marrying him over 60 years ago.
And while Pop Pop’s trademark humble smile will stick with me forever, so will this other unforgettable image: my grandfather sitting at the head of the dinner table for a holiday meal, in the home that he and Shirley had once designed and built, surrounded by the dogs, cats, family and bounty that he brought together.
Throughout his great life, Albert brought people together wherever he went. I think one of his proudest achievements is that he and Mom Mom built our loving family together too.
* * * *
Al’s social and business gifts became abundantly clear to me soon after I started full-time at Specialty Design, the business he founded 2 miles from this church in 1967.
He told me it was a proud day for him to live and see the start of 3 active generations of Knabb’s at the business he started. He also told me then—and told me often—the Al Knabb not-so-secret-nor-earthshattering formula for success, “I built this business by building friendships.”
It sure sounded nice. After all, who doesn’t want to make a business justification to meet pals for Tia Marias, right Butch?
But it wasn’t until weeks and months later until I better appreciated his wisdom, appreciated the cost of building those relationships, or appreciated the less glamorous, behind the scenes of the entrepreneurial journey Pop Pop had taken to this point.
Out of nowhere, he began emailing me pages about Specialty’s beginnings. He’s always believed you have to know where you came from in order to know where you’re going.
He wrote about the garage he started in: “It was a strange feeling standing in that old crusty shop, realizing you now had what you always wanted, even though in other people’s eyes, it sure couldn’t have looked promising.”
Original shop, Specialty Design
His words brought to life how others also began to understand the potential in that once-crusty shop. He told me about all the key mentors along the way. The initial banker who took a risk on giving him that first loan. The employees who trusted him for steady work and pay. His son who was inspired to join Specialty the day after he graduated college. The wild stories from the road, from trade shows, from small initial customers, to the large global ones that would expand the business beyond what he thought possible.
The pages kept coming. First he sent me 2 installments. Then 3. Then 6. Pages and pages filled with names, stories, lessons learned, hard decisions made, lives touched, adventures had, dreams built.
I realized 2 things. One, that Al did not just build his business by making friends. Rather, making friends and earning others’ trust was Al’s calling and it was his life. We’re all a part of that story.
And second, I realized that whether Pop Pop knew it or not, he basically became an author that summer.
Later that year, I secretly took Al’s pages, and worked with an online publisher to craft his story into a real hardcopy book.
I titled it “On My Own: The Autobiography of Albert S. Knabb.” I would deliver it to him on Christmas Day 2008. The epic story of a life well lived.
* * * *
And so, there we were again. My grandfather sitting at the head of the dinner table for a Christmas meal, in the home that he and Shirley had once built, surrounded by the dogs, cats, family and bounty that he brought together.
After that dinner and under the Christmas tree, he took my gift and opened the wrapping slowly. I could barely contain my anticipation.
And again, there it was. He held the book, took a pause and looked up. His look said a thousand words all at once. His look took the air from the room.
His eyes warmed, a slight and humble smile drew across his lips, and a subtle quiver from his chin.
Yes, Pop Pop, I am grateful too. Merry Christmas.
The post Remembering Our Founder, Albert S. Knabb appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>As I write this, Tyler Knabb— a Specialty Design team member andmy brother — is cycling up theAppalachian Mountains of central Pennsylvania. He’s on day 3 of an8 day, 900 mile journey on a “Tour de Pennsylvania” that will take him on a heart-shaped loop around the state. Along the way he’s stopping at 11 […]
The post Specialty Design Team Member to Cycle 900 miles in 8 days appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>Photo courtesy of Penn State
As I write this, Tyler Knabb— a Specialty Design team member andmy brother — is cycling up theAppalachian Mountains of central Pennsylvania.
He’s on day 3 of an8 day, 900 mile journey on a “Tour de Pennsylvania” that will take him on a heart-shaped loop around the state. Along the way he’s stopping at 11 Penn State campuses, and it’s all to raise awareness and funds towards conquering childhood cancer.
It’s a frigid 44 degrees F in the mountains today, and who knows how much colder it is when adding in the wind factor. And it’s not like Tyler is dressed in a wool coat. He’s wearing thin athletic gear and carrying a heavy backpack with enough supplies for 8 days.
Oh, and don’t forget the other inevitable complexities of the trip — bike mechanics, diet, hydration, and logistics to name a few. Tyler planned a 900+ mile route on his own, carefully mapping out back roads that are safe for cyclists. He also got his 1st flat tire on Day 2, fixed it on his own, and made time for requisite ice baths at night.
He’s also been managing the PR side of it along the way too, getting press coverage from news stations and newspapers in towns along the route.
We’re not sure how he does it. He truly is a sort of human powered machine. But I do know what motivates Tyler, and that’s his sincere desire to help others and honor those who have been affected by cancer.
Our mother, Carol, passed away 10 years ago from a very rare form of childhood cancer (even though she was 52) called rhabdomyosarcoma. Tyler’s friend Michael also died from leukemia at age 26 this year.
Ever since our mother’s death, my dad, Tyler and I have resolved to do Carol proud, support causes like Penn State’s THON and Four Diamonds Fund (whom Tyler is fundraising for), and carry her mission and legacy forward. With this epic ride, Tyler is doing all of that and more.
Please consider joining Tyler in supporting The Hope Express – a Penn State THON organization. You can learn more and make donations by visiting his site: Cycling for the Kids.
Press Coverage on Cycling for the Kids
[Video] Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 16 WNEP News: Pushing Pedals to Raise Cash for Cancer
Penn State News: Penn State World Campus student raises funds to fight childhood cancer
Penn State’s Daily Collegian: Penn State World Campus student bikes 920-miles for cancer awareness
The Thon Blog: Cycling for the Kids
Onward State blog: Cyclist Embarking on Statewide Ride to Raise Money for THON
Reading Eagle:Exeter High grad taking cancer fundraiser on the road
Pottsville Republican Herald: PSU cyclist raises funds for THON
Hazelton Standard Speaker: Penn State student stops on 920-mile trek to fight cancer
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Mont Alto stop planned in cyclist’s tour to fight cancer
Thanks to @PSUWorldCampus student Tyler Knabb’s hometown pub for great story about his journey to raise $$ for @THON http://t.co/PA1lWWVqNF
— Penn State Outreach (@PSUOutreach) October 24, 2013
On Tuesday, Tyler Knabb, 24, of Reading, began a 920-mile, eight-day cycling journey to benefit the 2014 Penn… http://t.co/vs5KPVfFBo
— Republican-Herald (@repherald) October 23, 2013
Tyler Knabb embarked today on a 900 mile, 8 day bike journey to raise money for @HopeExpress & THON! Read more: http://t.co/8oyU9wL9Vg #FTK
— Public Relations (@PR_FTK) October 23, 2013
Tyler Knabb is an inspiration to us all #THON #ForTheKids #Donate https://t.co/hQheLsMj94
— Chelsea Amaral (@chelseaamaral) October 23, 2013
900 miles on a bike has started for PSU student Tyler Knabb, biking around PA to raise money for The Hope Express: http://t.co/5F31bpcubZ
— PSU Dance Marathon (@THON) October 22, 2013
RT @PSUOutreach: Tyler Knabb, @PSUWorldCampus student, starts 920-mile bike trip to raise $$ for THON. http://t.co/UL8wohrUFR
— Penn State Online (@PSUWorldCampus) October 22, 2013
Biking to beat cancer: Starting today, Tyler Knabb will pedal more than 900 miles across Pennsylvania and part… http://t.co/LbOalMQ0ky
— Cure It Foundation (@CureItForKids) October 22, 2013
talked to Tyler Knabb on the phone today, such an inspirational person go check out his website and see what he’s doing for THON!!
— blair waldorf (@michbaker13) October 21, 2013
We are proud to support Tyler Knabb in his 920 mile, 8 day, HOPE Express cycling journey! http://t.co/ureIulxUzn pic.twitter.com/oqEE3phNM7
— DerbySkinz (@DerbySkinz) October 18, 2013
Support Tyler Knabb’s goal of raising money for The Hope Express (THON) as he rides for the kids! http://t.co/NkihNWf1Ah
— Penn State Cycling (@psucycling) October 14, 2013
The post Specialty Design Team Member to Cycle 900 miles in 8 days appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>If there was ever a rock solid reason to play hooky from the office, today was the day. Enter:Prism Engineering’sSolidWorks 2014 launch event. Keynote speaker? Jordan Sunseri,a head brewer atVictory Brewing Co. Upon receiving Prism’s invite last month, I instantly said “Yes” (aka “Cheers!”) to attending.I always want to stay on top of the latest […]
The post How a Craft Brewery Uses SolidWorks to Make Better Beer appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>If there was ever a rock solid reason to play hooky from the office, today was the day.
Enter:Prism Engineering’sSolidWorks 2014 launch event. Keynote speaker? Jordan Sunseri,a head brewer atVictory Brewing Co.
Upon receiving Prism’s invite last month, I instantly said “Yes” (aka “Cheers!”) to attending.I always want to stay on top of the latest advances in our engineering software. But, I also LOVE craft beer. Especially local Victory beer, like Golden Monkey and Storm King.
Hey, what can I say? Definitely a great reason to step away from the office andenjoy delicious beer attend a conference!
Prism has been ourSolidWorksvendor and 3D CAD training partner for nearly 10 years now. They sure caught my attention by having Victory present at this year’s SolidWorks launch event, but honestly, I wasn’t sure how Victory would fit into the mix.
Silly me. Once Jordan started his talk, I found myself reflecting back on engineering and business 101: Always think outside the box!
It turns out that SolidWorks software has served Victory very well. And by “very well,” Victory says SolidWorks has saved them at least $1.2 million in costs to-date. Victory now runs product and packaging design through SolidWorks, as well as brewery systems design, including design for their new 212,000 sq. ft. plant currently under construction in Parkesburg, PA.
The more Jordan described the role SolidWorks has played at Victory, the more I sensed how much science and good engineering is behind their beer making. No surprise that they are now the 26th largest craft brewer in the US.
Think of the value of an internal employee like Jordan not just understanding the craft of beer making, but also understanding how their internal equipment was built. It’s a holistic approach. It’s also a smart, vertically integrated and cost-effective approach.
Jordan described how he and his team have used SolidWorks to map out Victory’s new Parkesburg plant, as well as their new Kennett Square facility. They use SolidWorks to quickly lay out dimensional info and identify constraints. They’ve built virtual layouts and prototypes on their laptops before incurring any manufacturing or construction costs. They have internally designed equipment in fun, user-friendly ways – for example, a hop freezer that allows visitors to hit a button to unleash the aromatic hop smells while brewing.
SolidWorks has also helped Victory identify brewing system interferences in advance of ordering the equipment. With a budget set at $30 million for the new plant, it is certainly much better for Victory to learn that pipes won’t match up prior to shipping in those new multi-story grain silos from Germany.
“It’s all to help us make better beer,” Jordan said.
Rendering of Victory’s new Parkesburg, PA brewery. Image courtesy of Victory Brewing Co.
Here are some more details on Victory’s huge expansion:
Parkesburg At-A-Glance
- 212,000 square foot building on42 acres in West Sadsbury Township
- German-built Rolec brewhousewith initial production of approximately 225,000 bbls per year;Brewhouse production is 10 brews per day at 200 bbls per brew (2,000 bbls/day)
- Total capacity of up to 200 bbl(6,200 gallon) batch, and 500,000+ bblsper year
- Excellent and reliable water source from a reservoir fed by the West Branchof the Brandywine (similar chemistry to our current source, the East Branch)
- Best-in-class brewing systemsand installations, with efficientuse of energy and maximalhygiene throughout the process
- State of the art yeast handling system for ultimate flexibilityin yeast growing and handling
- Full bottling line production, shifted from Downingtown, with some upgrades; kegging will remain in Downingtown until 2014-2015
Kudos to Jordan and his team at Victory for their very informative presentation today. I definitely look forward to following Victory’s expansion.
From an “engineering” perspective, of course.
The post How a Craft Brewery Uses SolidWorks to Make Better Beer appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>The skills gap matters to you, whether you realize it yet or not. The “gap” is very real here, in our state, and around the country. It’s the year 2013, and the truth is: Finding skilled talent is hard. Rosie the Riveteris dead. For many people outside the manufacturing world today, it’s just not sexy […]
The post Why America’s Skills Gap Matters to YOU appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>The skills gap matters to you, whether you realize it yet or not.
The “gap” is very real here, in our state, and around the country. It’s the year 2013, and the truth is: Finding skilled talent is hard.
Rosie the Riveteris dead. For many people outside the manufacturing world today, it’s just not sexy and interesting anymore to work in a factory, make parts, to build a career in manufacturing. And especially so for the demographic that matters — the youth who are about to lead our country into the next few decades.
The stats are still abundantly clear that bits and bytes (not atoms) define the zeitgeist of this era.The majority of 18 to 24 year olds still prefer “professional” careers in law, accounting, education, and computer programming. Major blogs on the web cover every possible angle on the new iOS 7, the latest gadgets and memes. America’s youth still don’t see the allure in physically making the objects that fill our everyday world. Manufacturing isn’t a national movement like the WWII era; it’s still widely perceived as a dirty, uncool business best left for other people.
So, what happens when the skills gap grows wider? When manufacturing professionals (average age = 56) retire in 10 years? Here’s a sampling of what can happen:
- Higher youth unemployment. There are only so many professional jobs to go around, and when there is an oversupply of skills and low demand, the unemployment rate will rise. Just ask Europe, wheremanufacturing activity shrankfor 11 straight months.
- There will be more overseas manufacturing. With no toolmakers and machinists to make parts in the US, workers in China will gladly step up. Here’s an alarminginfographicon the proportion of goods that China makes today. As the skills gap grows, so will US imports. Almost everything you buy will be FedEx’d from China.
- Technical schools will begin to close. Apprenticeship programs will fade away. Educators will pursue other fields for income, instead of teach vocational classes. Without youth interested in manufacturing careers, why teach skilled trades to empty classrooms?
- More vacant factories. More towns will lose manufacturers as tax-payers. There will be more towns like Detroit and Reading, PA – staring at fiscal budget that bleed red.
All of this definitely matters for manufacturers like Specialty Design. We have run ourcontract manufacturingbusiness since 1967. We are proud to have a talented and dedicated team on board today — a group of experienced and passionate manufacturing professionals. Yet we’ve certainly experienced the ebbs and flows of the manufacturing climate first hand over that tenure. We see the country’s skills gap as an almost inevitable economic certainty, and we’re doing everything we can to prepare.
The skills gap IS very real. The incoming talent is clearly growing thin.For us, it’s important to consistently train our younger employees on a wide range of manufacturing methods. It’s important that we educate incoming, young inventors on the importance of keeping their production in the US. It’s all a work in progress, but the spirit of Rosie the Riveter is very much alive in here.
Credit toWorkBoots.comfor this infographic.
The post Why America’s Skills Gap Matters to YOU appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>What does having a safe roof mean to you? For many, a roof is simply another part of your home or apartment. It’s there to protect us from bad weather. It’s there to keep us dry and to keep us safe. But most of the time it seems, it’s just… there. For one Temple, PA […]
The post No Roof Left Behind: Supporting a Local Family appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>What does having a safe roof mean to you?
For many, a roof is simply another part of your home or apartment. It’s there to protect us from bad weather. It’s there to keep us dry and to keep us safe. But most of the time it seems, it’s just… there.
For one Temple, PA woman, however, a fully protected roof is a luxury she can’t currently afford while caring for her disabled spouse, and making ends meet with a growing pile of healthcare bills.
For a West Lawn, PA family, a new roof would a much-welcomed gift after layoffs, a house fire and burglary.
A disabled woman living in Boyertown, PA believes a safe roof is key to preserving the home she’s lived in since childhood.
And a safe roof would be a huge relief for one Reading, PA woman who is taking care of her mother and 3 struggling family members, all while undergoing her own treatment for liver cancer.
A safe roof is a gift for all of us, and it means something different for all of us. For Kerwin Mast and his team atMast Roofing & Construction, Inc., a safe roof was a gift they could actually give and install.
At the end of this month, September 2013, they’re going to start installation for one of theindividuals or families described above. A great gift indeed.
Mast Roofing & Construction, Inc. –an Oley Township, PA-based residential roofing contractor — is participating in a nationwide program called“No Roof Left Behind,” which was established with the mission of giving community members an opportunity to help their neighbors who have fallen on hard times.
Here’s how the program works:
- Community members can nominate themselves or others in need of a roof. The nominees must own and reside in their home, and be current on their mortgage.
- Volunteers review the nominees and select 4 finalists.
- The finalists have an opportunity to tell their story over the course of one month.
- Friends, family and community members can vote for a finalist on the NRLB website.
- Finally, 1 finalist emerges as a recipient of the new roof.
While one home ultimately receives a new roof, I think the project is a great way to rally many communities here in Berks County, PA and around the country. It’s a way to bring awareness to the real challenges that people face during these continued tough economic times. And companies like Mast Roofing & Construction, Inc. and its supporters are giving so much of their time, materials and labor to make a difference for a family in a unique way, one shingle at a time.
I took some time to talk with Kerwin Mast, who is the company owner.
“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long while,” Kerwin said. “We see this project as a way to give back to the community, to help someone in need.”
Over 2,000 votes have been submitted to the No Roof Left Behind website for Berks County thus far. Voting ends today, Sept. 6, and the winner will be revealed on Sept. 9.
“Everyone is deserving, and we want to help someone out more than anything,” Kerwin told me. “We felt it was up to the public to pick the family to support. We’re excited to help.”
Stay posted on our blog for details on the installation and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new roof. We love community construction projects like this here at Specialty, too. We helped contribute gutter to the Extreme Makeover build that came to our area in 2010. And it’s our pleasure to help contribute awareness and support for the No Roof Left Behind project as well.
The post No Roof Left Behind: Supporting a Local Family appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>Ourmachine shopstaff receives an average of 5-10 manufacturing periodicals a day. I’ve combed through it all (and I’m sure you have too) and I’ll be frank – manufacturing magazines, newsletters, and blogs could use an upgrade. Let’s pause the chatter about speeds, feeds and the latest cutting tools for a moment.If you’re looking for some […]
The post 6 Blogs That Manufacturing Companies Should Read appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>Ourmachine shopstaff receives an average of 5-10 manufacturing periodicals a day. I’ve combed through it all (and I’m sure you have too) and I’ll be frank – manufacturing magazines, newsletters, and blogs could use an upgrade.
Let’s pause the chatter about speeds, feeds and the latest cutting tools for a moment.If you’re looking for some unique, remarkable content focused on manufacturing companies and industry thought leaders, you’re at the right place.
I’ve searched far and wide for blogs written bypurple cow (see: Seth Godin)thinkers in manufacturing. Blogs that look at the bigger picture beyond the shop floor. Blogs that explore the humanaspects of manufacturing. Blogs that both educate on manufacturing andinspire to manufacture.
I want to offer you some manufacturing blogs that get our imagination going, and remind us why we got involved in manufacturing in the first place. I salute them, and I want to pay it forward by sharing 6 of my favorite blogs here… and lots of helpful links too!
1. Manufacturing Innovation Blog
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) publishes this excellent blog written with small to mid-sized manufacturers in mind. Clear mission, well designed, and always written for humans. The MEP features many different writers, and all bring a unique perspective to their posts. This blog does a great job at constantly reminding us all that manufacturing does have a home for everyone.
2. Dream It. Do It. Nebraska Blog
The folks who publish this blog from the American Heartland have a real passion for manufacturing, and it shows. With posts like 5 of America’s Coolest Factory Tours and College Students Rejoice: NASA is Printing Pizza, theNebraska Advanced Manufacturing Coalition (who runs the blog) does their part to show young people the exciting and quirky opportunities available by pursuing a career in manufacturing. Keep it up guys!
3.Made in Dayton Blog
Main authors, Steve Staub and Gary Weldon, bring their own experience of running a contract manufacturing business to the table. They steer the blog towards the difficult topics for the industry, they never shy away from opinion, and they open dialogue with manufacturers about ways we can ALL work together to make American manufacturing great again.Steve and Gary are relentless in addressing the ever-growing US manufacturing skills gapand redefining the tired image and misconceptions about manufacturing that many outsiders have today. They are determined to revitalize manufacturing in Dayton, OH and beyond. I simply love the positive direction that they take this blog.
4.Fabbaloo
Many manufacturing veterans are still figuring out the different ways to apply 3D printing technology, beyond oddball objects and replacement parts. Kerry Stevenson is a purple cow thinker who takes 3D printing head-on on Fabbaloo. He writes helpful reviews about different 3D printers and resins available on the market. He gives virtual factory tours. He features different, amazing 3D printed designs each week. Quite simply, keep up with Kerry, and you’ll better keep up with the ongoing evolution in 3D printing.
5.Stratasys Blog for a 3D World
Stratasys is a BIG company and a global leader in 3D printing technology (they also just acquired MakerBotfor $403M). Like me, you might expect to find another sterile corporate blog here. But I have been continuously impressed and enlightened by their very down-to-earth, relevant and helpful blog. The team at Stratasys has personality, for sure. If additive manufacturing piques your interest for mostly industrial applications, Stratasys covers foundry patternmaking, aerospace, and more. If you’re into consumer goods, they have cool shoes and even 3D printed Kryptonite stories to boot.
6.Make:
Let’s not forget about the DIY’ers. If there was a definitive Homebrew Computer Club (of Steve Jobs lore) for manufacturing hackers today, they would surely be active community members on this blog. Make: offers a phenomenal list of the “makers” who are probably worth connecting with on Twitter (hint hint). Their parent company, Maker Media, hosts an annualMaker Fairethat is cool to follow on YouTube, and cooler to attend (it’s in Queens, NY). The content on this blog is fascinating and runs deep — if manufacturing is your passion, Make: is surely the Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory you’ve been looking for.
The post 6 Blogs That Manufacturing Companies Should Read appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>There’s a good chance your building has soffit installed. Just walk outside your door and look up at the roof. The material connecting the roof overhang and the side of your building? That’s soffit. The word “soffit” is derived from the French language, and literally means “something fixed underneath.” It’s most commonly used around a […]
The post What Is Soffit and Why Is It Important to a House? appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>There’s a good chance your building has soffit installed. Just walk outside your door and look up at the roof. The material connecting the roof overhang and the side of your building? That’s soffit.
The word “soffit” is derived from the French language, and literally means “something fixed underneath.” It’s most commonly used around a building’s main roof, but soffit can also be used under porches, under arches or columns, under a flight of stairs… pretty much anything that has a visible ceiling. It is commonly made in aluminum and vinyl, as well as fiber cement, wood, and steel.
For this article, we’ll focus on soffit for its primary use — the roof overhang.
Soffit serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose for a building’s roofing system. It’s the skin that covers your eaves — without it, you would see your rafter beams fully exposed. Cover it up with soffit, in the style and color that you like, and you add some instant and easy character to your building.
Functionally speaking, soffit protects your rafters from the weather elements. If your rafters are exposed in any areas, you’ll likely have mold buildup and rotting beams to replace — which definitely won’t make for a fun (or cheap) Spring. Plus, mold in a home is never healthy.
Also,soffithelps your building breathe. With vented soffit, air can flow through the vents to provide regular air circulation to your attic. Air flow is tremendously important for your entire home. If you have lanced style vents (like the vented soffit we offer our customers) you can achieve proper air flow while limiting the moisture that can enter through the vents.
If solid soffit is more of your style, no problem — just make sure you have vents installed to enable proper air circulation through the attic. Or, for every few soffits you install, you could install a vented panel to assure air flow.
Imagine if your eaves were sealed tight instead. In the hot summer months, your attic would draw in (and hold) heat.That sweat running off your head? It would definitely be from your attic overheating, but also likely from looking at your high utility bill as well.
In the winter months, snow and rain would ultimately lead to moisture buildup, and you would eventually have rotting and/or mold in your rafters and sheathing.
Bottom line — you need to let your attic cycle the heat and moisture away from your house. Soffit is the most common and easy way to protect your roof frame and achieve air circulation to keep your building healthy.
If you’re not a candidate for soffit for a given reason — say your building does not have eaves — I suggest you ask a builder to look at your attic and offer custom suggestions to improve your air circulation.
Which Type of Soffit Should I Buy?
Based on sales volume of homes and buildings across the US, aluminum and vinyl soffit are the runaway winners. They are the most cost effective to manufacture, the easiest to install, and they weigh less than the alternatives. Let’s run through the pros and cons for aluminum and vinyl:
Pros of Aluminum Soffit
- A malleable material, good for fitting into varied spaces.
- Highly durable. Will not rot, chip or crack.
- Non-combustible, in case of fire.
- Easy to keep clean, does not attract dirt.
- Water-resistant. Ideal for wet regions.
Cons of Aluminum
- Tends to be more expensive than vinyl. If you’re covering a large area, the aluminum cost will add up.
- Can dent if enough force is applied.
- Does not insulate as well as vinyl.
So, how about vinyl?
Pros of Vinyl Soffit
Solid soffit for a porch ceiling. Photo credit – Siding World
- Tends to be the most affordable option.
- Best material for insulating your home.
- Often available in different textures and grains. More customization over the look you want.
- Will not rot. Pretty resilient against cracking and chipping.
- Water resistant. Excellent for high moisture areas.
- Easy to clean.
Cons of Vinyl
- More easily affected by heat. Can discolor more quickly over time.
- Can become brittle if exposed to regular sunlight.
- Can develop mold in damp climates.
- Not as malleable as aluminum; more difficult to cut, bend and install into varied spaces.
- Some feel vinyl is a cheaper looking product.
And what about the other materials?
People who opt for soffit in materials other than aluminum or vinyl typically make their decision based on aesthetics. Why?
Wood is more expensive and will ultimately rot over time. However, I am personally a fan of wood — it looks natural and timeless. It adds tremendous warmth. If you choose to install wood soffit, just be prepared for the time and money to replace the panels over time. Plus, don’t forget to install vents for air circulation!
Steel will be much more durable than any of the alternatives, including aluminum. Some suppliers also carry steel soffit in a variety of colors.Steel will just run about 25-40% higher in cost than aluminum – but overall, steel could be a great option for your soffit.
Fiber cement is less common and among the pricier options in soffit, but there are suppliers that carry panels in varied wood grain textures, vents and colors.
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
We actuallymanufacture soffitand help hundreds of end customers a year walk through building products related questions. If you have more questions for us, just give a call and we’d be happy to help. Our phone number is 1-610-779-1357. Also you can shoot us aquick messageif that is easier. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours to offer all the personalized, no-salesey help we can.
Best of luck with your soffit installation. Either way you go, we’re sure you’ll make the best choice for YOU.
The post What Is Soffit and Why Is It Important to a House? appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>Copper Gutter — it’s the most elegant and prestigious choice for a rain gutter system available. Hands down. You’re likely here because you’re considering copper gutter for your own home. You may have heard it’s the most expensive option on the market (you’re right). You may also sense that copper gutter would add a truly […]
The post Copper Gutters: Cost and How to Choose appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>Copper Gutter — it’s the most elegant and prestigious choice for a rain gutter system available. Hands down.
You’re likely here because you’re considering copper gutter for your own home. You may have heard it’s the most expensive option on the market (you’re right). You may also sense that copper gutter would add a truly dramatic look to your home — and possibly even be a good long-term investment.
Copper may be for you, or it may not. I want to help you find out.
Customers walk into our building supply warehouse often and ask themselves this same question. Let’s imagine you walked into our warehouse too. It’s time to talk pros and cons. Here’s the exact checklist we’d walk through together:
Would copper gutter suit your dream home?
Your home is one of your most valuable assets. It’s your masterpiece, a reflection of your personal taste, it’s your own piece of heaven.
Cost simply has to be one of the last considerations in the equation (ahem.. see the next question below). The conversation has to begin with the sincere, deep-rooted feelings you have for your home. Do you truly want the very best for your home?
To you and your family, your home may be your own, personal Fallingwater. In such cases I almost always recommend using the best materials you can that suit your theme. Your gutter selection is an important material among these, as it’s highly visible from all sides of the house. So, if copper truly enhances thenatural, distinct, thoughtfuldetails of your dream home, then copper might be a winner.
Are you willing to pay for copper vs aluminum?
Okay, let’s get into the meat and potatoes. What does copper gutter cost relative to aluminum?
Let’s use 2 different homes to use as examples. First, we have House A — a popular 2-story, 2,000 sq ft home. A home this size will require about 200 linear feet of rain gutter — that’s about the national average. Second, we have House B — a 3-story, 6,000 sq ft estate. For kicks, let’s pretend it’s an Italian-style villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean. House B will require about 400 linear feet of gutter.
Quick disclaimer here — keep in mind that a majority of gutter installation cost depends on your general contractor’s rate, ability and zip code. You’re always wise to check with several different contractors for quotes on gutter to find the best value possible.
A standard, aluminum gutter system will run a homeowner approximately $3.50 to $7.00 per linear foot(again, range dependent on contractor rate). For House A, the total cost after material and labor would range between $700 and $1,400 in total. For House B, the total cost would fall between $1,400 and $2,275.
Now, let’s switch to acustom,copper system and run the same numbers. Copper will run$18.50 and $26.00 per linear foot. Installation for House A will cost about $3,700 – $5,200. For House B, about $7,400 – $10,400.
There you have it: the cost to fully install the most desirable gutter system the world can offer. Here’s how it compares visually; this chart is the average of the costs outlined above. Yes, copper will cost 3x, 4x, and in some cases even 5x more than aluminum gutter. That’s why I defer to that first question — are you able and willing to make your dream home the best it can be?
Average cost comparison for a 200 linear ft system
Do you understand why copper is more expensive?
Important to know all the facts. Let’s deconstruct what you’re paying for here:
- Copper is a much more expensive alloy than aluminum — you probably knew that.
- You also need copper everything, includingaccessories and fasteners. Aluminum hangers will react adversely and actually break down the copper. A definite no-no. Always hang copper with either copper itself, brass or stainless steel.
- Copper requires extra time and care for your contractor to install and prevent pre-mature tarnishing. Copper even requires special gloves for installation.
- Copper often requires additional soldering around the joints. Extra work = more labor = higher cost.
Are copper gutters a good long-term investment for you?
Like other investments in life, your decision to purchase a copper gutter system will depend on a variety of factors, your end goal, and ultimately, what makes you happy. Some more questions to consider:
- Is the home or building in an exclusive, high-end neighborhood? Will copper help your home stay consistent with your neighbors’ homes?
- Do you want your home to truly pop out among other homes in your neighborhood? How will the extra curb appeal help increase the value of your home?
- What is your time horizon? If you plan to live in your home for 30+ years, your copper gutter should hold strong and hopefully satisfy your aesthetic tastes for decades. Likewise, if you plan to sell in the short-term, a copper gutter system could be one of the extra fine details that has your prospects swooning.
- Are you replacing pre-existing copper spouting? If it was good enough to impress you to purchase, it will likely achieve the same effect when you go to sell. Is it worth the risk to “cut corners”? That’s for you to decide.
- How important a factor is durability to you? If you want the most durable and lost-lasting material for gutters, copper is it. It’s a more solid alloy than aluminum, it never rusts and it never needs painting.
Do youlovethe look of copper?
Ultimately, this perhaps the most important question. We’re passionate about gutters here, but it’s not too often we hear customers say that gutter warms their soul like, say, the look of a terra-cotta roof.
Not to be dramatic, but seeing copper gutter should warm your soul.That’s the clincher. You need to love it.
Brick, stone, stucco, wood, slate — all these materials tend to look GREAT with copper gutter. Also, do you truly like the look of tarnished copper? If you live in the Pacific Northwest USA, you will likely see your copper gutter turn green within a year or two. If you live in sunny San Diego, then your copper gutter will likely keep its original color for years.
It depends on the climate where you live. It’s important to know if you would truly love your home with copper-colored OR time-weathered green gutter. Both looks can work, but again, it’s your personal preference.
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
We actually manufacture rain gutter products and help hundreds of end customers a year walk through these questions. If you have more questions for us, just give a call and we’d be happy to help. Our phone number is 1-610-779-1357. Also you can shoot us a quick message if that is easier. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours to offer all the personalized, no-salesey help we can.
Best of luck with your gutter installation. Either way you go, we’re sure you’ll make the best choice for YOU.
The post Copper Gutters: Cost and How to Choose appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>It was just another day at Specialty, but definitely not just another phone call. This one was from a long-time roofing customer. “Would you be interested in supplying the gutter system for… an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house?” “Wow,” we paused. Our general contracting and roofing customers occasionally call in to create order lists to […]
The post Extreme Makeover Home Edition: A Supplier’s View appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>It was just another day at Specialty, but definitely not just another phone call.
This one was from a long-time roofing customer. “Would you be interested in supplying the gutter system for… an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house?”
“Wow,” we paused. Our general contracting and roofing customers occasionally call in to create order lists to outfit quirky or extraordinary home builds. But this?
A chance to install our gutter products on a fairy tale home? A chance to help a family in need?A chance to be part of a week-long community-wide construction blitz? A chance to participate in a popular national television phenomenon?
“Of course!” we said. “Where do we sign up?!” And one more added: “Do we get to meet Ty?!”
Many of us at Specialty Building Products had already been fans of the popular TV show and its celebrity construction crew for a long time. And here the Extreme Makeover bus was rolling into OUR town. It was coming to Hamburg, PA – just a 20 minute drive from our plant.
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to donate our products to this exciting project. As any Extreme Makeover viewer would know, the homes are always, always constructed using the best materials available. Premium landscaping, premium lighting, premium everything.
We’ve been manufacturing premium rain gutter since 1978… and now was time for our products to shine, on the local and national stage, and for a truly deserving family who would soon inhabit this new home.
The groundbreaking at this point was about 2 weeks away. We sell 21 different colors of aluminum gutters, as well as premium copper gutters. Our crew was making friendly wagers on what this particular gutter pick-list would look like. Most of us guessed the producers would request our most high-end copper products. There were some guesses that the home might boast unusual bold colors, and thus look good with our bold Grecian Green or Scotch Red. Or perhaps the family was into the nautical life, and thus our Heritage Blue color would suit?
A few days later, our roofing customer called to confirm they would need our “Eggshell” colored aluminum.
Specialty Design aluminum rain gutter and copper flashing on the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house in Hamburg, PA
Eggshell is a light, cream-like color, and looks great on a home with a stone and/or stucco exterior. Turns out this home would have both.
We packaged up our Eggshell custom length downspout, elbows, mitres, trim coil, soffit and more for our truck. And there was some copper ordered after all – our beautiful copper flashing would soon line the valleys of the new home’s steeply pitched roof.
Fast forward to August 4 – it was Day 7 of 9 of the re-build of Trisha and Cora Urban’s soon-to-be-home.
We met at the local Cabela’s that morning to wait for a bus (not THE Extreme Makeover bus… but a nice bus nonetheless!) to take us to the construction site. Our customer provided us with our special vendor access tickets.
Which prompted us to ask ourselves – after all our years in this business, have we ever received VIP tickets to see a… construction site? We all had most definitely not… but, either way, with all the excitement and anticipation in the air, we felt like we had back stage passes to a rock concert… or the Field of Dreams!
About 10 minutes later we arrived at the site, then weaved through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in the Urban’s front lawn, and then we caught our first glimpse of the new home, about 95% done:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition home in Hamburg, PA – Justin, Donna & Butch representing Specialty Building Products
There it was: a beautiful, fairy tale home. It was so exciting being there. And we felt extra proud to be part of the home construction industry that day.
Local Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fans at the home construction site
Seeing hundreds of volunteer contractors wearing blue shirts and working together… feeling the excitement in the air… seeing the faces on people from ages 7 to 77 as they admired this dream home built right here in our home town… it reminded us all of the MAGIC that home construction really can be.
It was such a joy to be a part of it. And it’s such a joy to provide products for new homes – and the families that will inhabit them – each and every day.
For more photos of the entire homebuild, check out the Reading Eagle’s ongoing coverage. And for photos on the big reveal that happened the next day, check out ABC’s page.
The post Extreme Makeover Home Edition: A Supplier’s View appeared first on Specialty Design and Manufacturing Articles.
]]>