Custom-made frame and truss solutions

PlaceMakers’ bespoke frame and truss manufacturing service can save builders time and money.

Customisation and mass production aren’t common bed fellows – but PlaceMakers Frame & Truss has nailed the process of efficiently producing frames and trusses for bespoke house designs.

As the largest frame and truss producer in New Zealand, PlaceMakers manufactures unique, high-quality frames and trusses for about 100 different designs per week.

STRATEGIC MOVES

Demand for PlaceMakers’ frame and truss (PMFT) has seen operations grow over the past two decades as builders recognised the cost effectiveness of pre-cut and pre-nailed framing.

In 2008, to meet demand, PlaceMakers began improving its frame and truss production, consolidating 23 small and relatively inefficient plants to eight state-of-the-art operations that are more accurate, highly efficient and in better locations around the country

“For PlaceMakers customers, this means precisely cut and clearly marked components for faster and easier assembly on site,” says PlaceMakers national estimating and manufacturing manager Robert Grimmer. “The larger plants have greater capacity, the
ability to respond quickly to market demand and improved efficiency that creates cost savings that can be passed onto customers.
“For most builders, taking a set of plans, ordering in the timber then setting out, cutting and nailing framing takes so much time and precision that it’s not economical anymore,” says Robert.

“It’s become a specialist trade – and PlaceMakers frame and truss plants have the equipment and expertise to supply that service at an affordable rate.”

HOW IT WORKS

Having fewer but larger manufacturing plants has significantly increased efficiency and capacity, offering builders great value for money. PMFT staff work with builders, architects, specifiers and engineers to provide a tailored solution for every type of job from small, simple houses to large, complex commercial projects.

“Frame and Truss is a key aspect of PlaceMakers’ relationship with our builders – we see ourselves as more of a specialist sub-trade than a product supplier,” says Robert. “Design and truss layouts are integral to the building consent, so PMFT’s contribution is as critical to the build process as any other. PlaceMakers understands that and it’s reflected in the high quality of our work.”

A PMFT detailer turns the designer’s plans into workshop drawings before well-trained, experienced staff begin the manufacture. The latest in saw technology ensures accuracy and precision, and PlaceMakers provides sophisticated cuts for roof and angle frames, as well as ‘courtesy cuts’ (undercuts) for doorways on bottom plates.

To further increase efficiency and precision, PlaceMakers has been replacing open saws with Razer linear saws, which have the latest printing technology to ensure that every component is accurately marked. The fully enclosed, automated machines reduce waste, are much safer to use than manual saws and complete four times as many cuts in the same amount of time.

The enhanced printing capability clearly labels the face and edge of two pieces of timber at the same time, making it simpler to identify what should go where, allowing quicker completion of customer orders.

The clearly marked frames are delivered to site stacked in build sequence, wherever possible (depending on transport efficiency and stability, site requirements and health and safety considerations).

According to builders, the clearly marked walls and wall intersections make identification easier and erection on site much faster. While frames are usually nailed together in the factory and delivered to site, there are some situations where assembling wall frames on site is required or preferred.

“For those customers who choose to build them themselves – such as in hard-to-access worksites – the pre-cut, clearly marked timber makes it much easier to construct, saving time on the job and reducing waste,” says Robert.

While PMFT aims to have Razer saws in all eight plants, the transition is still taking place and isn’t yet available everywhere.

PMFT plants use Lumberlok, Gang-nail and Bowmac zinc, galvanised and stainless steel fastenings designed by Mitek, a company with 40 years’ experience within New Zealand.

 

MEETING OUR CUSTOMERS NEEDS

PMFT’s goal is to make its customers’ builds as simple and as smooth as possible. The staff can incorporate the balance of roof and loose timber within customer quotes and integrate engineered timber products for mid floors or garage lintels where specified.

PlaceMakers also has a range of trucks and experienced drivers to deliver and place builders’ frames and trusses where they’re wanted onsite and PMFT staff liaise with builders to confirm an estimated delivery time.

“Overall, our frame and truss plants aim to deliver in full and on time to wherever you need us,” says Robert.

SOLID CONNECTIONS

To ensure high quality and consistency in the materials we use, PlaceMakers only buys from major timber suppliers.

As the construction industry prepares for the upcoming building boom, PlaceMakers’ strong supplier relationships allows it to provide certainty for builders that it will have timber for their projects.

“As our customers take on more jobs, they want certainty that we can deliver, and we can give them that guarantee.”