Originally Published as: The Role of Trade Associations According to Manufacturers
Let’s be honest right out of the gate. The phrase “trade association” doesn’t exactly light a fire under most manufacturers. It’s not exciting. It doesn’t boost sales reports. And it won’t show up on your balance sheet with a tidy return. But ask the folks who have been in this industry long enough to have a few scabs and calluses, and they’ll tell you—trade associations matter. Not because they’re perfect. But because they give the people who build, supply, and sell in this industry a unified voice when it counts.
And here’s the kicker: the folks who benefit most from these associations? Often the same ones sitting on the sidelines, arms crossed, wondering what they’re getting for their dues.
I’m not preaching here. I’ve lived this from just about every angle—sales guy, rep, manufacturer partner, board member, speaker, and fellow trade show foot soldier. I’ve been doing this long enough to know we don’t have time for filler, and we don’t need pep rallies.
But we do need alignment.
This article isn’t written from a 10,000-foot academic view. It’s from the driver’s seat of the industry pickup, after over a million miles, 300-plus trade shows, and more jobsite visits than I can count. It’s also shaped by what I’ve heard in boardrooms and back halls, especially in rooms with folks from NFBA and BFBA who are just trying to do right by our industry.
Let’s start here, because it’s where most trade associations go sideways. Manufacturers don’t want another newsletter. We don’t want a dusty booth at a convention center. And we definitely don’t want more meetings just to say we had them.
We want:
- Legislative defense when new regulations come knocking
- Building code clarity when things get murky
- A trained and growing labor force to build what we’re selling
- A bigger voice to make sure post-frame isn’t dismissed as second-tier construction.
When you ask manufacturers why they’re involved—or why they’re not—that’s the scorecard. Are you showing up in state capitals? Are you defending post-frame in code books? Are you helping develop the next generation of skilled crews? Are you growing the reputation of the industry?
If not, you’ve lost their attention.
Let’s talk wins. Because they do happen, and they’re worth knowing.
Serving on the boards of NFBA and BFBA has shown me what it looks like behind the scenes. I’ve seen volunteers working harder than most people realize. I’ve seen executive directors doing more with less. And I’ve seen results when the membership actually engages.
Take NFBA’s and BFBA’s work influencing national and local building codes and standards. Without them, we’d be sitting ducks for regulations written by people who have never even set foot on a post-frame jobsite. These groups give us a seat at the table where decisions get hashed out—decisions that directly affect what we can build, how we build it, and whether we stay competitive.
That alone should be enough to justify showing up. But there’s more.
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: trade associations bring cohesion to an industry that’s too often split into silos.
You’ve got builders on one side, manufacturers on the other. Different challenges. Different language. Sometimes even different goals. But when both sides show up at the same table—when they actually listen, collaborate, and find common ground—that’s when real momentum starts.
I’ve seen it at NFBA meetings and BFBA gatherings. Associations create a space where the manufacturer’s perspective and the builder’s reality meet in the middle. That kind of honest collaboration doesn’t just solve problems. It prevents new ones. It leads to smarter product development, better training programs, and codes that reflect how things actually work in the field.
That’s the force multiplier effect. You’re not just solving your problem. You’re helping the entire industry move forward together. And that doesn’t happen by accident. The association is the nudge that gets it going.
So, if the benefits are real, why do some manufacturers pull back?
Simple. Because they don’t always feel it. They pay their dues. They show up once or twice. And then… silence.
That’s not always the association’s fault. Some members come in expecting instant leads or a quick payoff. This isn’t a vending machine. It’s a long game. It’s about advocacy, access, and building a stronger, more professional industry for all of us.
But associations can absolutely do better. Don’t just focus on recruiting. Focus on retaining. Make value obvious. Show your wins. Communicate often. And show up where your members already are—on jobsites, in yards, at events that matter.
When manufacturers feel seen and heard, they stay. When they feel disconnected, they don’t.
I’ve had a front-row seat to this for a while now.
Serving on the boards of NFBA and BFBA has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my career. It’s not about politics or formality. It’s about coming together—builders, suppliers, manufacturers, engineers, and academia—and keeping post-frame construction from getting pushed aside by people who don’t understand what we do.
I’ve seen a single conversation shift the direction of a local code change. I’ve watched builder training events inspire the next generation. I’ve sat across from manufacturers who finally felt heard after years of trying to get traction. That’s not theoretical. That’s what real representation looks like.
And it doesn’t happen without involvement.
Here’s the plain truth. Trade associations are only as strong as the members behind them.
They aren’t optional anymore. Not in this regulatory climate. Not with our labor challenges. Not with other construction methods constantly fighting for market share.
If you’re a manufacturer and you’ve stepped away, I get it. Budgets are tight. Time is short. But ask yourself—who’s speaking for you when decisions are being made?
If you’re still involved, thank you. Now take the next step. Be visible. Be vocal. Push the association to serve your needs. And bring someone else along for the ride.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just building structures. We’re building an industry. One that stands tall, speaks clearly, and works together instead of at odds.
And that starts when manufacturers and builders stop guarding turf and start building it—together.
Randy Chaffee is a 40+ year veteran of the post-frame and metal roofing industry. He serves on the boards of the National Frame Building Association (NFBA) and the Buckeye Frame Building Association (BFBA). When he’s not on the road, on a podcast, or behind a booth, he’s working to help manufacturers, builders, and reps connect, grow, and win—together.
