Ramblings from the Director:
The ebbs and flows in today's SIP market are a relative bore compared to the roller coaster ride
that is our world economy. As the Dow and other markets continue to wallow in uncertainty, the SIP
market remains on fairly stable ground. The many small businesses I communicate with on a regular
basis report that, although times are tough, SIP projects continue to break ground. The growth in
our industry compared to the stagnation or decline in many other areas of the construction industry
is proof of a fundamental shift. I believe that the informed consumer is smart enough to see where
we're headed. The idea of energy conservation isn't just a topic of discussion in high school physics
classes anymore. It's becoming a dominant reason why architects design, builders build, and homebuyers
buy more energy efficient structures. Gone are the days of our cheap and dirty fuels. The ongoing
search for newer and cleaner fuels (thanks in part to the long-overdue passage of the energy bill
last month) will undoubtedly coincide with increased conservation. The increased cost of these clean
fuels is further incentive to promote and endorse the kind of energy conservation that SIPs offer.
In light of the massive amounts of fuel we Americans consume to heat and cool our buildings, an energy
efficient building should make us feel better about ourselves as consumers. In addition, these efficient
structures will help to usher in the new technologies that struggle to gain a foothold within our
energy industry.
For a much more profound and in depth view of my ramblings as it relates to energy and our future, I
recommend Tom Friedman's newest book;
"Hot, Flat & Crowded"
SIPschool on the Road
In September the Al and Dan racked up miles as they presented workshops in Fort Worth Texas, Graettinger Iowa,
and Portland Oregon. The Fort Worth class was sponsored by FischerSIPs
and Ferrier Builders. Don Ferrier,
President of Ferrier Builders, had been talking with SIPschool for most of the year about getting a workshop
in place that would coincide with one of his custom home builds. Despite two hurricanes conspiring to shut
it down Don was able to prepare the site in time. The attendees came from five different states and worked
together for two days erecting wall and roof panels. Special thanks to Heather Ferrier of "Heather's Home"
for hosting an excellent Texas Bar-B-Que and giving all the opportunity to tour her Platinum LEED home.
Our second stop was in Graettinger, Iowa. AT the request of host manufacturer
Energy Panel Structures the
school returned for the third time to provide a three day EPS Dealer training workshop to over sixty builder/dealers.
SIPschool provided both the basics of good SIP construction as well as the finer techniques of being a successful SIP dealer.
Our final stop was beautiful and very green Portland, Oregon. The Portland Community College (PCC) contacted the
SIPschool in an effort to expose its staff and students in the Building Technologies Department to the SIP industry.
The department chair explained he was looking for "quality unbiased information without a sales pitch". The school
teamed with IB Panels out of Jerome, Idaho to provide a SIP package that will ultimately become a garden shed on one
of the many PCC campuses. The students were a mix of students and builders from as far away as the Bay area.
A special thanks also goes out to Rogue Brewery and all the other micro breweries in Portland that helped introduce
the school's instructors to the fine variety of beers in Portland.
What's Next?
Our third year will close out in a flurry of activity in the Pacific Northwest. December 4 - 5, 2009 we'll be in
Vancouver suburb of Delta B.C. where Insulspan will be hosting a workshop to
further invest in local builders.
This workshop is open to the public and you can register at www.sipschool.org.
Immediately following their stop in
Delta, Al and Dan will ferry their way through the San Juan Islands to Duncan, BC where SIPschool will be conducting
a three day workshop with Ecosip Industries. Ecosip has coordinated this workshop
at the request of several trade
schools in the area. With a growing interest in SIP construction the schools' building instructers are congregating
in Duncan for a high speed introduction to the SIP industry.
SIPschool Invited to the Eastern Timber Framers Guild Annual Meeting
Samoset Resort on the Ocean, Rockport, Maine
For more than a century, the Samoset Resort has been considered the premier coastal resort location in Maine, renowned for
spectacular and expansive views of Penobscot Bay and distant islands, with the soft Camden Hills rising to the east, and the
spacious grounds of Jameson Point to the west. The original hotel, which was built in 1889 and serviced by the Maine Central
Railroad, was destroyed by fire in 1972. It was replaced with a new hotel constructed almost entirely from the beautiful old
timbers of a deserted granary, which was once a Portland, Maine landmark.
The SIPschool is pleased to be a part of the
24th Annual Eastern Timber Framers Guild Conference. Al will be speaking Friday,
November 7 on Hybrid Timber Frames, extolling the use of SIPs and timber in a perfect marriage of asthetics and engineering.
Hope to see you there!
Saw Base
The SIPschool's instructors work with a number of specialized tools that make working with SIPs easier and faster.
One such tool is our new and improved saw base. The all-aluminum base clamps to any chainsaw and allows 60 degree
rotation in either direction. If your scope of work includes cutting SIPs in a factory or in the field, this base
will improve your speed and accuracy. Retail cost is $599.00 plus tax. Contact the SIPschool for additional information.
2009 Schedule for
Shenandoah Junction
and Shepherdstown, WV
Classroom time is spent at the award winning Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, and hands-on experience takes
place at the SIPschool shop. The oldest town in West Virginia and home to Shepherd University, Shepherdstown offers
many hotels, restaurants, shops and galleries in a historical setting along the Potomac River. We are easily reached
from Dulles International (VA) Baltimore/Washington International (MD) and Reagan National Airport (Wash DC).
SIPs 201 Owner/Builder Workshop
- February 9 - 10, 2009
- March 2 - 3, 2009
- April 6 - 7, 2009
- May 18 - 19, 2009
- September 14 - 15, 2009
- October 19 - 20, 2009
If your company is interested in discussing the option of bringing the SIPschool staff to your local venue,
contact Annie at the SIPschool office or email her directly at annie@sipschool.org.
Help Wanted
Installation Crew Manager need for SIPs manufacturer in Mississippi
Applicant must have the following:
- College Education - BA or higher
- SIP Installation experience
- 2 + years in framing experience
- Strong work ethic
- Good people skills
- Managerial potential
Please forward resume to:
Residential Advantage Development
64 North Summit Avenue
Tenafly, NJ 07670
Your information on the SIPschool website
Take advantage of the opportunity to present your company's information by filling out the
SIPschool Company Questionnaire. It's free, and allows potential clients to compare your
information with that of others in the industry. Your company information is available on
our SIPschool website to SIPA members and SIPschool alumni.
Contact us
You can reach us in the SIPschool office at 304-876-8494 or via email at info@sipschool.org
