Issue Contents

There are no small visions at Neumann Homes, a two-time winner of the National Housing Quality Award.

In the August and September 'Lessons Learned' columns, I got pretty worked up about misdirected supply chain management practices I had encountered of late.

Recognizing and removing low-value activities or cost-only factors are as vital to a company's success as having a clear vision, a good process map and efficient documentation.

Although sales of manufactured homes surged in the late 1990s because of a loosening of financing restrictions, the slowing economy has caused repossession rates to shoot up.

Integral to Fairmont Homes' commitment to lean manufacturing and employee involvement is its color-coded inventory system.

With about 900 employees, Fairmont Homes is one of the largest employers in north-central Indiana, which CEO Jim Shea calls 'the Silicon Valley of manufactured homes and RVs.'

Contemporary styling and functionality come together in the decorative Bench Radiator from Myson.

Developing world-class team members capable of driving Neumann Homes to its 2020 envisioned future of transforming the company into the undisputed No. 1 home builder in the world is an initiative that involves everyone in the organization.

Their management methods owe more to Jesus Christ than W. Edwards Deming.

Twelve years ago, when 'Quality was Job 1' at Ford Motor Co. and many other Fortune 500 firms, only a handful of home builders were on the total quality management bandwagon.

There has been much speculation about a possible house price 'bubble' that will burst, resulting in dramatic declines in value such as those that have devastated the stock market.

In a real coup, Jorge Perez, chairman of The Related Group of Florida, signed renowned designer Philippe Starck to conceptualize Icon, Starck's first residential project in the United States.

Creating memory points in models is key, and generic sports props for boys don't cut it anymore. Rooms should reflect kids' varied interests and parents' inner child.

One the biggest challenges facing advocates of New Urbanism is how to keep vehicles moving through narrow, pedestrian-oriented streets and alleys.

Consultant Scott Sedam played a major role in History Maker Homes' evolution into a fairly sophisticated practitioner of total quality management.

Can we agree on this page for this month to suspend talk of the housing bubble?

To celebrate McKay Landing's proximity to McKay Lake, Downing, Thorpe & James designed a duck insignia to help establish a Western waterfront theme and create a colorful, continuous focal point within the community.

Getting anywhere in the fast lane to management excellence requires keen process management and impact insight.

A set of CD-ROMs with state-by-state maps of the entire country from the U.S. Geological Survey can be a handy tool for residential land buyers.

Most builders are probably familiar with at least two employee issues that involve skirting the rules...

New Castle XT sliding patio doors come in a standard rail style for maximum viewing area and a French rail style for a traditional look.

Applications for three new models of SureShot fine-wire staplers include panel installation and light wood assembly.

Developed specifically for siding, windows and doors, Siding-Seal can be applied in cold weather and adheres to dry or damp surfaces.

The HTL Ultimate 2D door hinge for wood and vinyl profiles allows for adjustment of the door horizontally (+/-2 millimeters) and vertically (+/-2.5mm) with the turn of a screw.

Designed to fit all traditional openings, the Fassada Fashion Wallplate has rounded edges and no visible screws.

Sierra Premium Shake now is available stained and primed.

Raised- or long-panel garage doors in the Banner Collection are offered in four insulation levels, from the entry-level Crest (a noninsulated steel door) to the Ribbon (full-depth insulation with a 9.83 R-value and steel backing).

The 3802L is a 12-inch compound miter saw with a dual LaserLoc system that shows the line of cut on either side of the blade kerf, at any angle, brightly enough for outdoor use, and with or without the blade in motion.

The Miter Saw Utility Vehicle is a miter saw support stand that collapses into a cart with 12-inch rubber wheels for mobility over job-site terrain as well as for transport on stairs and into and out of pickup trucks.

The Wedge Nail Gripper is designed to keep nails firmly in place and eliminate slippage that can cause accidental hammering of fingers.