From Our CEO: Simpson Strong-Tie — A Strong Culture

Mike Olosky is the Chief Executive Officer at Simpson Strong-Tie as of January 1, 2023. Before that, Mike served for two years as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. In what follows, he discusses some of the characteristics that define the  Simpson Strong-Tie culture and make it stand out.

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DIY Mini Whiteboard for Back to School

This free project plan offers easy, step-by-step instructions for building your very own mini whiteboard. It’s a great project to do along with your students for the back-to-school season. 

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Tech Trek: What I Discovered During My IT Internship at Simpson Strong-Tie

This summer, Luca Disbrow, a graduate in data science, joined Simpson Strong-Tie for an IT internship. Shifting from academics to on-the-job IT, he contributed to our 24/7 IT help desk and gained hands-on problem-solving experience. Luca reflects on the close-knit community within the company, his learnings from diverse colleagues, and the impact he’s made. Explore his journey to uncover insights into his internship experience. 

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Creating a Backyard Oasis: Building Our Dream Pavilion with Outdoor Accents® Hardware

Joel Houck of Simpson Strong-Tie shares the journey he took transforming his backyard into a family-friendly oasis with a pool and a stunning pavilion using Simpson Strong-Tie® Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware. In this post, Joel unveils the design process, delves into the construction details and shares the passion and effort that brought his outdoor space to life. 

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DIY a Hammock Stand That Doubles As an Outdoor Movie Screen

Make the most of your backyard during the day and at night with this transformative pergola. Simpson Strong-Tie had the opportunity to work with DIYer Jen Woodhouse of The House of Wood on building a transformative outdoor structure for her backyard. Learn how she built this multipurpose pergola with the help of our Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware. 

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Quiet Strength of the Strong-Drive® SDPW DEFLECTOR Screw for Partition Wall Connections

The Strong-Drive® SDPW Deflector screw from Simpson Strong-Tie fastens non-load-bearing, full-height partition walls to trusses and joints in roof and floor systems. Easy to install, the SDPW is designed to compensate for vertical deflection in the joist or truss due to live load or to seasonal material contraction and expansion. With tested lateral-load ratings that meet building code requirements, the SDPW is value engineered for strength, installation speed and jobsite safety.

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E-Z DIY Projects: Sprucing Up Your Home Has Never Been E-Z-er

Looking for an easy DIY project to knock out this summer? We’ve got some great ideas that can help you spruce up your home — from a little library or a birdhouse to a sturdy hose reel. One thing all these projects have in common is the fact that they use our E-Z products — the E-Z Spike™, E-Z Mender™, and E-Z Base™. These products were designed to help make it quick and easy for anyone to install or repair wood posts. You can also read more about each of these products and how to install them with our EZ flyer. Learn more below about how our E-Z products can help you build these any number of cool, simple DIY projects. 

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DIY Renovation Project: Rebuilding a Coastal Dock with Rogue Engineer

We worked with DIYer Jamison Rantz, also known as Rogue Engineer, on a dock rebuild project. Our Strong-Drive® SDWS Timber SS screw and Titen HD® heavy-duty screw anchor provided strength and durability for his new dock. Learn everything that went into this costal dock rebuild, from replacing the existing structure to expanding the area for an outdoor entertainment space. 

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Hands-On Learning: How an All-Female Engineering Class Built a Rest Station for Those Who Grow and Harvest Our Food

Katie Hickey, a graduating senior from Carondelet High School in Concord, CA, and a future student at San Diego State University, participated in an all-female Engineering for Social Good class. Their ambitious endeavor involved designing and constructing a personalized rest station for nearby farmworkers, relying exclusively on their own abilities and available resources. Despite their limited background, the students demonstrated unwavering determination and successfully delivered an outstanding product that will have a profound impact on the local community.

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From Bar Inspiration to Backyard Elevation: How to DIY a Cantilevered Swing

Kurt Krasavage, owner of Residential Imagineering, LLC, constructed a cantilevered swing in his backyard using Simpson Strong-Tie hardware. Inspired by a bar in Mexico with an attached swing-set, Kurt and lead builder Shawn Bealla created an exceptional outdoor entertainment center that became a popular gathering spot. Learn about his project and get inspired for your own creative backyard DIY. 

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