TrussTech SA: Scaling Through Smarter Systems and Practical Decisions

 

For Glen Opie, owner of TrussTech SA, growth hasn’t come from chasing volume — it’s come from building the right systems around the business.

With more than 18 years running his own operation and decades of experience as a builder before that, Glen brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to everything he does.

“People want everything in trusses now,” Glen says. “There’s more demand, more complexity — it’s changed a lot.”

A Factory Designed to Perform

A major turning point for TrussTech was the move into a new facility — driven by the need for better workflow, not just more space.

“The old factory was about the same size, but it had too many posts and low clearance — it made it hard to move trusses, especially longer ones. It just didn’t work,” Glen explains.

The new clear-span shed has transformed operations.

With open space and improved layout, the team can now move, rotate and dispatch trusses efficiently — removing constraints that previously slowed production.

“You can turn trusses around, move them, get them out — you’re not fighting the building anymore.”

It’s also created a more professional working environment, supporting staff attraction and retention as the business grows.

“I wanted to grow the company. You can’t attract people to work in a place that’s a dump. So, we had to fix that.”

 

 

Targeted Investment Driving Real Output

Alongside the new facility, TrussTech has made a series of targeted machinery investments — combining new and refurbished equipment to maximise capability.

Over a staged period, the business has introduced:
• PieceMaker linear saw (installed 2023), replacing older vector saws
• Mini 6 floor truss press (installed 2024), creating a dedicated floor line
• Two Mini 10 presses (installed 2024–2026), increasing overall production capacity.

Each investment has played a role in improving output and workflow.

The Mini 6 has further strengthened the operation, allowing floor trusses to be produced independently, freeing up other equipment for roof trusses and improving overall efficiency.

Before that, everything was being done on the Mini 8 — without jigging. Installing the Mini 6 changed the flow completely.

“Floor trusses were slowing everything down,” Glen explains. “You’re trying to do everything on one machine — it just ties it up. So, we set up a proper floor line — and that’s made a big difference. We’ve more than doubled our production.”

“And just as importantly, it freed up the rest of the plant.

“The Mini 8 now just does trusses. That’s what it should be doing.”

 

 

 

 

It’s a simple shift — but one that’s removed bottlenecks and lifted output across the board.

“The Multinail machinery are workhorses — they’re just so well built in the first place,” Glen says.

Despite operating in South Australia, support from Multinail Machinery continues to play an important role. From parts to setup, the support is there when needed.

“They’ve been great. There’s no problem. We just get what we need and keep moving.”
And for Glen, that’s what matters.

From Estimating to Supply: A Smarter Business Model

A key driver behind TrussTech’s growth has been a shift in how the business secures work.

Through his estimating business, Oakridge Building Design, Glen has built strong relationships with builders — creating a consistent pipeline of projects.

“We get our work because of our estimating. That’s where it all starts,” he says.

By managing projects from design through to supply, TrussTech reduces rework, improves accuracy, and delivers a more streamlined experience for customers.

“It’s already in our system. You’re not re-entering everything — that’s where mistakes happen.”

This model has supported sustained growth, with multiple consecutive strong months — reflecting a business that is scaling structurally, not just experiencing short-term gains.

The Role of the Right Support

Supporting this growth has been the close working relationship with Multinail — particularly through Queensland State Manager, Stuart McBean.

With a deep understanding of both the machinery and the needs of fabricators, Stuart has played a key role in helping Glen identify and secure the right equipment.

In several cases, these were opportunities TrussTech would not have been aware of otherwise.

“Stuart’s great,” he says. “He knows what I’m trying to achieve in my business, he finds out what’s happening out there and supports me to make machinery deals happen.”

By aligning machinery with Glen’s requirements, Stuart helped ensure each investment delivered real value. It’s a practical example of how the right support can help fabricators make confident decisions for their business.

Focused on Continuous Improvement

Looking ahead, the focus for TrussTech is clear.

“I just want to get better at what we’re already doing,” Glen says.

With the right facility, machinery, and workflow now in place, the business is well positioned to continue building on its growth.

 

Story written by Multinail Australia's, Lisa Tinetti.