Eighty Four, Pa. – October 07, 2026 -- 84 Lumber has graduated more than 30 associates from its Production Manager in Training program since relaunching it roughly two years ago, with six advancing directly into plant manager roles across the company's truss manufacturing network.
Winchester facility anchors leadership pipeline for 22 truss plants
The training program is based at 84 Lumber's Winchester, Virginia, facility, one of 22 truss plant locations the company operates across 13 states. Associates spend nine to 12 months rotating through production, design, dispatch and customer service before progressing into manufacturing leadership.
Nine-to-12-month rotation builds cross-functional manufacturing skills
Trainees learn to operate saws and forklifts, build trusses, and work directly with design and dispatch teams. They also visit job sites to observe how the components they manufacture are installed, exposure that Scott Compton, National Production Manager for 84 Components, said often redirects career interest toward roles such as general manager or specialized production positions rather than the production leadership track trainees initially expect.
Graduate moved from trainee to plant manager in roughly two years
Cade Templeton, a Shenandoah University graduate and former college baseball player, completed the program in about a year and became a production manager at Winchester, where he oversaw both first and second shift production in his second year. He was subsequently named plant manager at 84 Lumber's Powhatan, Virginia, location.
Mentor's 29-year tenure traces path from truss builder to corporate leadership
Compton joined 84 Lumber 29 years ago as an entry-level truss builder in Mount Airy, Maryland, before moving through production leadership and general manager roles and overseeing multiple locations. He now mentors manufacturing leaders and supports plant development, safety, equipment and maintenance functions company-wide.
Executive frames internal promotion as retention strategy amid expansion
Ken Kucera, Vice President of Installed Sales and Manufacturing at 84 Lumber, said the company prioritizes promoting from within across stores, installed sales and manufacturing divisions. "We always say this is a career, it's not a job," Kucera said, adding that the company expects prospective hires to evaluate what support and advancement it offers in return.
84 Lumber operates 320 facilities across 34 states and has additional truss plant expansion planned, according to the company.