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Lumber and Building Materials Short Course

Brochure and registration form (pdf) |

January 8-18, 2008

Kaufert Laboratory, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus

About the Course

This Short Course is actually two sessions. The first session is a three day estimating course taught by a nationally recognized trainer with over 30 years experience. The second session consists of five full days covering product information, building systems, marketing, and the workplace environment. It is a comprehensive primer for employees in the building industry covering everything a sales professional needs to know to effectively serve customers, be they distributors, dealers, builders, contractors, or homeowners.

Who should attend

* New employees to the industry
* Managers interested in increased knowledge of building materials
* Sales professionals seeking improved product knowledge and sales/marketing skills

Course Objectives

* Understand the properties and characteristics of wood and wood products
* Understand how materials work together and interact in a building system
* Gain knowledge of business management specific to the building industry
* Learn how to create and communicate the value of the products and services you offer
* Gain leadership skills to advance in the workplace
* Become knowledgeable of current and developing issues in the building industry
* Develop skills in basic residential building materials estimating

Tentative Program

Please note that the listing of topics is abbreviated and the order of presentations or exact titles may be different in the final program.

Tuesday, January 8–Friday, January 11
Estimating

Note: the estimating class will start at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday and conclude around noon on Friday.

• Estimating to improve value

Monday, January 14
Understanding Wood and Building Materials

• Wood as a Building Product
• Wood Strength and Mechanical Properties
• Moisture and Wood
• Wood Deterioration
• Softwood Plywood and OSB
• Engineered Wood Products and Systems
• Vendor exhibits and How to Work a Trade Show

Tuesday, January 15
Wood and Building Materials Applications

• Softwood Lumber Grading and Use
• Deck Construction and Maintenance
• Product Knowledge Issues
• Tour of Truss Plant
• Do’s and Don’ts of Wood Trusses

Wednesday, January 16
A Systems Approach to Residential Building

• Stairparts / Millwork Overview
• Cold Climate Housing Performance
• Building Science Primer
• Moisture Management: Best Practices
• Cold Climate Housing Application

Thursday, January 17
Marketing and Management

• Creating Value
• Selling in Today’s Environment
• How to Sell to Contractors
• Certification
• Selling for Profit
• Taking Profit to the Bottom Line

Friday, January 18
Current Issues/Leadership

• Environmental Issues
• Healthy Housing
• Conflict Resolution
• Leadership

Registration/Fees

You can register for the full two-week course (best value!), for the first week estimating session only, or for the second week only (see registration form).

Group discounts available! If your company is registering 3 or more, please contact Harlan Petersen at 612-624-3407 or harlan@umn.edu for confirmation of discount.

Brochure and registration form (pdf) |

Space is limited, so you are encouraged to register early. You can return the registration form with payment in the form of check, credit card, or institutional purchase order, or click the link above to register online (credit card only). Participants will be limited to the first 50 registrations received. You can register using the registration form. You can obtain a significant discount by registering early. In all cases, your payment must be received or postmarked by December 12, 2007 to ensure early registration. If you have any questions, call (612) 624-3407. Do it today!

Cancellation policy: Cancellations received or postmarked after December 27, 2007 will be assessed a $150.00 cancellation fee.

For further information contact:

Harlan Petersen
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
University of Minnesota
2004 Folwell Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

E-mail: harlan@umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-3407
Fax: (612) 625-6286

Sponsors:

• University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
• University of Minnesota Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
• University of Minnesota Extension Service
• University of Minnesota Forest Products Management Development Institute
• Northwestern Lumber Association