EMLENTON - Before the keystone made arches possible, the structural power of the triangle held up roofs.

Using that same principle of angular supports, the open joist floor truss is manufactured in the Open Joist 2000 plant. Floor trusses are the frameworks on which the walking surfaces of a building are laid.

Open Joist 2000 is a division of Universal Forest Products, a national manufacturer and distributor of engineered wood components. When the manufacturing business in Emlenton began production in October 1995, it was privately owned. Universal Forest Products bought Open Joist 2000 in December 1997.

What makes the floor joists made in Emlenton unique is finger joinery, and that they are glued together rather than assembled with pressed steel plates, explained Larry Kroh, national sales manager.

Open Joist 2000 floor trusses "are stronger because the glued connections are more resilient. It welds the wood fibers together," said Kroh.

The process used in the Emlenton plant was invented in Canada 13 years ago.

"We introduced the process to the United States in the spring of 1995. We started making them here when this plant opened," said Kroh.

The floor trusses are used for floor framing for any wood-framed construction, including residential and light commercial application. About 40 percent of the plant's production is marketed to the makers of manufactured homes, while the other 60 percent winds up in site built construction projects, he said.

Spruce, pine and fir, all soft, fast growing woods harvested in Canada, are shipped to the Emlenton plant. The lumber is cut, milled, and assembled into trusses of specific lengths, from 3 feet to 30 feet, in 1-foot increments, and several different depths.

The manufactured goods are then shipped to other Universal Forest Products plants that distribute them to lumber yards and builders, all east of the Mississippi.

"Business has been excellent for the past five years. Construction has been good, and this new product has resulted in direct growth" for Universal Forest Products. "I expect it to remain strong in the next five years," he said.

In the past, manufacturing had been heavier in certain months because construction was some somewhat seasonal. But, between a hefty portion of its trusses being used in manufactured housing and the construction boom in the Carolinas and Florida, where much of their product is used, the business cycle has evened out, said Kroh.

In his opinion, Open Joist 2000 and its employees have benefited from becoming a part of Universal Forest Products.

"It has given increased opportunities to transfer and move up. It's not just lip service. We're serious about retaining employees and safety is a big issue for us," he said.

Employee benefits have increased as well.

Open Joist 2000 hires non-skilled workers, preferably with a background of working with wood.

"This is a manufacturing operation and we think we have very competitive wages," said Kroh.

What: A division of Universal Forest ProductsAddress: 3778 Oneida Valley Road, EmlentonFounded: The manufacturing plant in Emlenton opened in October 1995. An addition is set to open soon, bringing the facility to 48,500 square feetWhat it makes: Wooden joist floor trussesOfficers: Brian Ellenberger, CEONumber of employees: 75 employees at the Emlenton plantHeadquarters: Universal Forest Products, Grand Rapids, Mich. It has 90 facilities in North America