Southern Components Inc.

As part of the Wood Truss Council of America’s (WTCA) In-Plant Qual­ity Control program, facilities structure their operations to ensure accuracy in cutting, quality assembly, proper plate placement and use of the appropriate type of lumber. A certified operation manufactures trusses that meet the ANSI/TPI 1 standard, ensuring contractors have the best-possible product and a reduced frequency of repairs.

With a focus on quality since its inception in 1960, Southern Com­pon­ents Inc. (SCI) was an early adopter of the WTCA’s In-Plant quality control program. In 2000, it became the first company in Louisiana and fifth in the nation to implement the system. Striving to lead the industry with its commitment to quality, SCI does all it can to meet the highest industry standards for components.

“Our quality procedure begins at the design stage of a job and tracks through the cutting, assembly and de­livery process of that job,” the company says. “By inspecting critical stages throughout the entire production process, we are able to ensure our clients receive the quality components they have come to expect from us and we are determined not to disappoint them.

“Our independent third-party quality control provider consistently gives us high marks for meeting or exceeding product specifications.”

The use of this program is just one example of why the company is re­garded as one of the nation’s premier components manufacturers special­izing in wood and light-gauge metal truss systems, it says. SCI serves its more than 400 active customers from its Shreveport, La., base, which has more than 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

Dedicated to providing “systems that work,” SCI says its products can be found “from Japan to Florida, Mexico to Ohio.” Regardless of a project’s size, the company is determined to help it remain on budget and deliver its components right the first time. SCI’s product mix includes roof and floor trusses, using both standard and/or treated lumber, flat chord trusses with a slope, laminated beams and Simpson Strong-Tie construction hardware.

“Southern Components Inc. is proud of the company’s growth involv­ing many changes and advances,” it says. “But one principle has remained unchanged throughout the years of service to the construction industry – our commitment. Commitment to product, to excellence, and to fast, efficient service.”

Streamlined Systems

To best serve clients in the construction industry, SCI designed its facility to focus on material flow. The plant is organized to promote quality and flexibility, which results in lower operational costs, SCI says, and there­fore lower costs for its clients.

“Southern Components’ roof truss division employs six independent, high-speed assembly lines with the capability of producing seven different setups at once,” Southern Com­ponents explains.

“These lines feature a state-of-the-art jigging system and are linked to Southern Components’ computer system for accurate truss shapes, which eliminates field problems and construction delays,” the company adds. “Dual computer-driven saws handle cutting, while materials move along the production line on specially designed lumber trains, also designed by our personnel.”

SCI’s floor truss division, it says, can produce items from three independent setups simultaneously. High-­pressure clamping results in tight joints and quality construction, and instantaneous depth changes ensure SCI’s machines remain active, reducing setup and change costs.

The company uses a system with computerized stops and auto eject of spliced chords to perform floor-truss splicing, which reduces repetitive material handling, it says. Add­ition­ally, truss stackers handle both roof and floor trusses, ensuring the most effective crew size is used.

“All of this helps deliver the most value for a client’s construction dollar,” SCI says.

Adding Value, Lowering Costs

SCI’s roof and floor truss systems have been used at the Bossier Parrish Community College in Bossier City, La.; First United Methodist in Shreve­port; and a home built for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in Mur­frees­boro, Ark.

Contractors rely on SCI’s products and systems, it says, because the company’s goods and services help ensure low installed costs on projects. SCI helps clients keep costs down by:

• Working closely with architects, designers and engineers to develop the best plans and identifying design problems before components go into the field
• Designing for the most cost-effective installation process and reducing materials needed on the jobsite for permanent bracing because of de­signs requiring less lateral bracing
• Ensuring fast turnaround of shop drawings as the result of extensive front-end work during the bid pro­cess
• Clearly marking all fabricated products to match shop drawings for easy identification in the field.

Additionally, by employing state-of-the-art equipment in the production of its components, SCI says it en­sures accurate fit to members, tight joints and properly embedded connectors. The company also uses ad­vanced design and engineering software to ensure accurate roof plane and ceiling plane input, which helps eliminate problems before components reach the job site.

“No matter the project size, our courteous staff will assist clients in bringing a project within the construction budget,” the company says. “From our estimators to our truss technicians, our technical staff re­mains alert to each client’s individual needs. Our technical department concentrates on giving clients the lowest installed cost, which is true to the cost of the job.”