Open Systems and Smarter Metrics in Truss Manufacturing – A Conversation with Todd Drummond

In this episode of The Common Chord, Carlton sits down with Todd Drummond, Owner of Todd Drummond Consulting, to discuss how smarter metrics and open software systems are reshaping the component manufacturing landscape.

Todd shares hard-earned lessons from over 25 years in the industry, covering the impact of mergers and acquisitions, the challenges of robotics in wood manufacturing, and why gross margin per man hour is a better performance metric than board footage. The discussion also touches on how open APIs and integrations are empowering smaller manufacturers to stay competitive.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction – Meet Todd Drummond
00:45 – Mergers, acquisitions, and the shrinking middle market
02:20 – The challenge of automation and robotics in wood manufacturing
03:00 – Closed systems vs. open APIs
05:00 – The power of software integration: Paragon, AppWright, and QuickBooks
06:20 – Leveling the field for independents
07:20 – Why board footage is the wrong performance metric
08:15 – Understanding gross margin per man hour
10:40 – How smarter metrics drive profitability
11:50 – The role of AI in truss design and engineering
14:10 – The future of work and automation in truss manufacturing
15:15 – How open data and APIs enable innovation
16:40 – Final thoughts on data, decision-making, and industry collaboration

Links:
Todd Drummond Consulting: https://www.todd-drummond.com/
Learn more about Paragon: https://paragontruss.com
Find more Common Chord interviews on our channel or blog: https://paragontruss.com/blog

#TheCommonChord #BCMC2025 #TrussDesign #ComponentManufacturing #Innovation #BuildingBetter #LeanManufacturing

Subscribe for more conversations connecting leaders across the component industry.