Small, but mighty The nonprofit Fond du Lac Builders Exchange is smaller than many plan rooms statewide, but its 140 members count on its customer service, plan-room manager Kathy Gyr said. Gyr's "low-tech" builders exchange is an affordable option for contractors based everywhere from Appleton to Green Bay. Full Story
	A loyal following The Fox Valley Builders Exchange in Appleton opened in 1958 and has been owned by David and Linda Voster since 1988. "At least 70 percent of our members visit at least once a week," Linda Voster says. "I'd say we have about 30 visitors a day. Maybe it's the free cookies." Full Story
	User friendly Like they say on those late-night Hair Club ads, Galen Olson doesn't just run the Wausau Area Builders Exchange plan room, he's also a client. "We use it every day for our type of business. I have one person who works there virtually the full week," said Olson, owner of Olson Floor Covering Inc. in Wausau and chairman of the Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce committee overseeing the plan room. Full Story
	Celebrating 50 Years Sharon Mitchell, manager of the Green Bay Builders Exchange, remembers a time last year when the room was filled beyond capacity. "I had to get extra tables to set the plans on," she says. "And it looks like it's getting busy again." The Green Bay Builders Exchange was established in 1950 as a member-owned association. That membership currently stands at 320 full and associate members. Full Story
	Jumping On The Bid+ Builders Exchange has rolled with changes in the industry throughout the plan room's 15-year history, and officials said they plan to carry on the tradition by offering their hard-copy plans on the Internet. "Our biggest issue right now is Web-site access and offering electronic accessibility to our plans, whether it's through CDs or architects," Jan Piper, plan room manager, said. Full Story
	Thinking Virtual One of the oldest construction traditions - examining blueprints for the next big job - might soon take a giant leap into the electronic age as one builders exchange dreams of taking all its plans online. "Things are changing rapidly out there due to the onset of all the electronics," said plan-room manager Linda Kohlmeyer. "That is having a major effect from the big dogs all the way down to the little, itty bitty guys." Full Story
	They'll leave the light on After another strong year in Wisconsin's construction industry, everyone is searching for a competitive advantage on the next big job. While one contractor is managing a building going up right now, competitors are scouring the plan rooms for the next make-or-break project. How can companies - especially small ones with few staff - finish their current jobs while still finding time to crunch the numbers? Try burning the midnight the oil at a plan room in West Allis. Literally. Full Story
	Rejecting Technology Subcontractors coming into the La Crosse Builders Exchange plan room never ask for an Internet connection. And they can't stand looking at project plans on CD-ROM. The technology is basic here. Most contractors rely on the "project book" they sign requesting additional information about jobs. Office manager Sandy Bakalars calls each member who signs the book as details filter in. Full Story
	Keeping pace The day the blueprint machine arrived marked a new era of convenience for members of the Northwest Regional Builders Exchange. Before the blueprint machine, contractors "would spend whole days here," Anaas said. "And if you only get one or two blueprints in at once, it's hard for us to divide them between all the people who want them. Now, if somebody comes in, they can make the blueprint and leave." Full Story