In this episode of The Common Chord, we sit down with Steve Shrader, who leads Business Development and Operations for Hundegger USA. Steve has spent years helping manufacturers build smarter cutting and material-flow systems, and he brings a unique clarity to one of the biggest questions in our industry. How do you stay independent enough to choose the tools that truly fit your shop?
Hundegger is known for precise automated saws, modular equipment, and a deep commitment to flexibility. Their machines were born out of mass-timber joinery and refined for North American component manufacturing. That blend of craftsmanship and engineering has shaped an approach that invites innovation.
A Mindset Built on Flexibility
Steve describes every component manufacturer as having a “fingerprint.” No two facilities run the same way. Flow, batching, sorting, lumber delivery, shop layout all differ. Hundegger’s role is to support those differences instead of flattening them. Their modular automation adapts to the shop, not the other way around.
That emphasis on flexibility naturally aligns with Paragon’s work in open truss design. Instead of trying to do it all, both companies keep their core focus narrow and their integrations open. It gives manufacturers room to configure their own workflow and evolve it over time.
Independent Alley
The phrase Steve uses is Independent Alley. It captures a quiet but important shift happening across the industry. More shops want the freedom to mix tools. They want the best saw, the best design software, the best material-flow system - even if they come from different vendors.
Independence creates space for innovation. It also gives manufacturers control over their own future. When tools stay agnostic, shops can experiment, scale, and adapt.
Robotics and the Road Ahead
Steve sees robotics playing a greater role in the years ahead, but with a practical lens. Multi-axis arms and tool-swapping robots make sense when a station needs to do more than one task. In many truss and wall applications, the value still lies in precise, reliable cutting and efficient delivery. His take is refreshingly grounded. Focus on what adds value. Keep systems flexible. Let the workflow lead the technology.
