Monday, November 3, 2025
At the recent CONZTRUCT trade event held on October 6th, 2025, at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand, industry leader Techlam put their pre-engineered timber solutions to the ultimate test: a high-stakes speed assembly challenge. The event served as a critical opportunity for local builders and trade professionals across Canterbury to connect directly with the Techlam team and gain firsthand experience with advanced timber products like glulam (glued-laminated timber) and pre-engineered trusses. The cornerstone of the day’s excitement, however, was a demonstration designed to showcase the efficiency of these innovative building components practically.
The Truss Assembly challenge
To underscore the benefits of prefabricated construction, Techlam hosted a rapid-fire challenge in which teams of construction professionals competed to assemble a proprietary Techlam pre-engineered truss in the shortest time possible. This “speed-build” competition was more than just a novelty; it was a powerful, real-world demonstration of how factory-precise engineering translates into significant time savings on a construction site.
The prize—a desirable portable COBB® Gas Grill—provided an extra incentive, but the true value for participants lay in the hands-on experience of working with mass timber components designed for flawless, swift integration. The competition drew a strong field, with teams from various contracting firms stepping up to the challenge and exhibiting the high level of skill prevalent in the local industry.
After an evening of intense, clock-watching assembly, a standout performance set a new benchmark for on-site efficiency.
A massive congratulations is due to the team from Brewer Builders Ltd, led by Peter, who secured the victory. Their outstanding performance resulted in a winning time of just 3 minutes and 36 seconds—an impressive feat that highlights the speed, accuracy, and ease of assembly inherent in advanced engineered timber systems.
This winning time is a powerful proof point for the value proposition of pre-engineered mass timber solutions: when components are manufactured to exacting tolerances off-site, the assembly process on-site is significantly streamlined, leading to reduced labour costs and quicker project completion.
Glulam and prefabrication
The team at Techlam expressed immense gratitude to every builder and tradie who visited their stand and engaged in the challenge. The contest facilitated valuable conversations about the potential of using glulam and other structural timber products as sustainable and high-performance alternatives to traditional building materials like steel and concrete.
Key takeaways from the engagement with industry professionals included:
Upcoming event: CONZTRUCT Auckland North
The Techlam team is already looking ahead to the next opportunity to connect with the industry and continue the conversation around the future of construction.
They will be showcasing their engineered timber expertise at the CONZTRUCT Auckland North event:
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Tags: Construction Speed Test, CONZTRUCT Christchurch, engineered timber, Glulam Solutions, mass timber construction, New Zealand Builders, Techlam
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