Mateo Atwi

Construction innovation!

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Curious how to convert a wood framed multistory building to light gauge steel? The conversion is pretty easy, but there are some tips and tricks that could really save you money during the conversion process:

1. Use a structural engineer with specific cold-formed steel experience
2. Metal studs and wood are very similar, but not created equal. Stick frame wood construction frequently uses a double top plate that makes it significantly different than steel.
3. Stud spacing can make a big impact on cost and efficiency when moving to metal studs.

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

@owenthcarey Yessir

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Has anyone else had construction material shipping prices skyrocket for them? Here are 3 Strategies for dealing with high shipping costs on your raw materials:

1. Source locally - Try to find local vendors who are willing to match the prices from some of your larger long range vendors.
2. Maximize shipping loads - Stretch each diesel dollar to carry as much weight as possible and as little air freight. This mean instead of modular you may have to build panelized and instead of panelized you may have to stick frame.
3. Reduce downstream shipping requirements - Sometimes the price of your raw materials are increasing simply because of the logistics it takes to move precursor raw materials around.

#cost #expensive #diesel #construction

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

@ferrazzi Keith, your book was recommended to me when I started my startup. It's been tremendously helpful as I've worked to scale my network. Thank you!

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

For a company based out of Louisiana our jobsites sure see a lot of snow! ⛄❄️

Prefab panels are a great option for snowy climates because the work can be done in a controlled warmer environment. It's very difficult to stick frame in a cold environment.

#cfs #wallpanels #construction #innovation

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Steel prices keep climbing. Galvanized coil is up 54% over the last 12 months per the CRU, and getting it to your jobsite costs more too. Diesel is up 46% this year and hit a record $6.53 a gallon on Sept. 22, per AAA.

A lot of this comes back to oil prices and tariffs. It's not because the market is booming. Private construction outside data centers is down about $120 billion a year since the end of 2023. Data centers are up $51 billion and are basically the only thing growing right now.

If you've got CFS work coming up next year, don't wait to lock in pricing. Give us a call and we'll help you get ahead of it.

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Cold-tormed steel is simple. It just takes 3 things:
1. Good engineering
2. The right installers
3. Your material to show up

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Here are 8 major takeaways for designing a prefab and roll forming plant for speed, safety, and efficiency. Over the last 2 years we designed and built from scratch a 42,000 sqft roll forming and prefabrication plant that can process more than 2000 tons per month of finished goods. 🏭️

1. Material movement is waste. Movement is one of the 8 wastes of lean for a reason. It doesn't add value to the product. Try to reduce the distance between manufacturing steps. For us that was reducing the distance between coil->roll forming->prefab. 🏃

2. Have the correct fixtures for moving raw and finished goods at every stage. Sometimes you need forklifts, carts, or cranes. 🏗️

3. Separate equipment movement from human movement. This greatly reduces your risk of a bad accident.🚨

4. Doors matter. Where you put your doors will define how your material can enter or exit the building. We split our building into 3rds with doors in each third.🚪

5. Put your ops people close to the operations. Machines get fixed fasters. People can communicate and resolve issues that would delay production faster. Don't make your people go on an easter egg hunt to solve problems.⚙️

6. Keep your people hydrated. Put water stations close to the workers. 💦

7. Power matters. Make sure you have enough power for all the equipment you are running and a good distribution strategy. For us that meant drops from the ceiling. ⚡️

8. We anticipated big panels, trusses, and long studs, so we have an open span of 125 ft. This also gives us huge flexibility for moving equipment in and out of the space. Close column spacing can kill productivity in a plant. 🛠️

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Scottsdale and Knudson roll formers don't come with stock lighting like this when we first bought them. Since they have a safety cage that casts a shadow and because you frequently need to get into the machine for changeovers, it's helpful to have bright LEDs to see what you are working on especially if you have to work late at night.

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Need help fixing your machine or getting started as a roll former?
One of the most unique things about US Frame Factory is that you may occasionally find the founders on the shop floor greasy and turning wrenches. Here is founder Mateo Atwi setting up a machine and running parts in their startup plant in Guyana South America! This uniquely positions us to help companies that are looking to get into the space by advising them how to setup their shops for efficiency. We would love to connect!

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Yesterday we celebrated the ribbon cutting of our new 42,000 sqft manufacturing facility in Broussard, Louisiana. We are proud to be a rapidly growing manufacturing company in the United States. Thank you to all our passionate teammates who have helped us get here. This facility will enable:
- millions of lbs of production per month
- sales, engineers, and designers desks by the shop floor
- streamlined raw materials to finished goods or assembled products like wall panels and trusses

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

@16vchq What's the difference? Easier to build homes will go up faster. In order to build faster you need to simplify the process.

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

US Frame Factory has a new location in Broussard, Louisiana! In our new 40,000 sqft facility we have the capacity to ship more than 2,000,000 lbs of steel (2000 tons) per month of finished goods and growing. This is the building that helps build buildings! We are proud to be increasing manufacturing in the United States in a time when others are decreasing. Stay tuned for more announcements about our new facility!

#faster #strong #manufacturing

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

@Math_files Amazing, I just spent like 10 minutes flipping it

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Starbase, Louisiana will be built to support thousands of Starship flights a year with missions launching to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

How not to start a manufacturing company. How two brothers started a manufacturing company.

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

Throwback to one of our first hallmark projects. This apartment complex in Metairie, Louisiana really helped us take off as a manufacturing organization. It enabled us to purchase 3 more machines and expand our product offering significantly. Need help executing on a large noncombustible project, reach out to our sales team!

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

@LyalinDotCom What do you use to talk to them?

[Mateo Atwi @mateoatwi]

@jocarrasqueira @antigravity I've been developing with Claude Code for some complicated apps. Is it time to switch?