Five Dallas SWE members had the opportunity to visit Simpson Strong-Tie’s facility in McKinney on Wednesday, January 29th, where Silvia Dyer, P.E. gave an informative presentation about the company’s impact on the construction industry. Simpson Strong-Tie is a leading manufacturer of construction joists used nationwide in residential and commercial buildings, as well as outdoor structures.

Following the presentation, the group toured the facility, gaining insight into the advanced manufacturing processes that were split between fabrication and automation. The tour showcased high-speed machines cutting sheet metal with incredible precision, contributing to the production of nearly 1,000 SKUs. The facility’s ability to repair its own mills in-house was particularly noteworthy, demonstrating its efficiency and technical expertise.

Attendees also saw how dedicated crews, supported by robotic automation, seamlessly manufacture and package parts to meet industry demands. The combination of cutting-edge technology and skilled craftsmanship made this tour a fascinating experience.

Dallas SWE extends a big thank you to Silvia Dyer and the Simpson Strong-Tie team for hosting a wonderful visit!

Celebrate National Engineers Week with Dallas SWE as we present SHINE: Maintaining Creativity while Battling Burnout!

Picture this: finally signing off from work after a long day in the office, lab, field, or wherever you do your job. The moment holds a sense relief, but simultaneously the stress is still there. Am I ready for that big presentation tomorrow? What am I going to do for dinner tonight? Do I have time to see my friends and family this weekend? Engineering is one of the most demanding professions out there, and it can take a large time commitment to be successful. While strict deadlines, large budgets, and high visibility projects lead to meaningful careers, they can also take away our energy, creativity, and time for self-care. In this session, participants will learn the SHINE method, which is a set of guidelines that helps find joy in little things in life and overcome technical burnout while maintaining creativity and innovation.

Date: Thursday, February 20th
Time: 6:30-8pm
Location: la Madeleine, 3072 Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75205

About the Speaker

Sammy Zellner is a Process Engineer at Texas Instruments (TI) in Dallas, TX with a BS and MS in Materials Science. During the first year of her career at TI, she immediately learned the 24/7 nature of manufacturing and critical process control required in a wafer fabrication factory. Quickly approaching burnout after such a short time industry, Sammy learned key strategies to manage the demanding nature of her position. Now 5 years into her career, Sammy has learned how to balance her schedule with a full-time job, active SWE involvement, and supporting her family, while still making time for herself and staying creative and innovative, in and out of work.