Trimjoist’s Family Legacy Takes Shape in Idaho
Heather Hamilton-Post
1/1/2026
From a tiny house built by hand to a 56,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Brian and Skyler Thomas are shaping the next chapter of a family business rooted in innovation, values, and people.
BUILT TOGETHER, FROM THE START
Before they ever broke ground on the 56,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Brian and Skyler Thomas were learning how to build together, one stick of lumber at a time. Back in 2015, the couple began constructing a tiny house — their first real test in creating something together from the ground up. The project validated their grit, compatibility, and shared love for the construction world. They didn’t know it then, but those long days working together to build their first home would become the blueprint for a much bigger venture: expanding the family business and laying the foundation for Trimjoist’s future in Idaho.
“Building the tiny home was the first time Brian and I really worked side-by-side, and we quickly realized how much we enjoyed it. When we were given the opportunity of expanding the family business out west, it felt like an exciting opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said Skyler, Vice President of Strategy and Growth at Trimjoist. “The journey to opening the doors to Trimjoist West has been challenging, fun, rewarding and incredibly humbling.”
The couple met at Auburn University while earning degrees in Building Science. Skyler moved on to launch a career in construction technology, while Brian developed his skills as a project manager for a general contractor. Today, they’re proud to carry on a multigenerational family business in Idaho, where they’re also raising their own family.
A LEGACY OF INNOVATION
The company is rooted in three generations of innovative truss and joist manufacturing. “It’s cool to see what each generation has brought to the business over the past 60 years,” said Brian, who serves as the president and COO of Trimjoist. “Skyler’s grandfather was a pioneer in the truss manufacturing space; her dad, Barry, invented the TrimJoist® and opened the first plant in Mississippi in 1994. Now, Skyler is the third generation to carry the family business forward,” he said.
What started as Skyler visiting her grandfather at The Sanford Co. as a young girl soon turned into answering phones at Trimjoist during summer break and has since evolved into her role, working alongside Brian, to help strategically grow and scale Trimjoist at a national level.
A REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCT
Located 12 miles south of the Boise Airport, the new facility is marked by Trimjoist’s large logo in bold black and yellow, a sharp contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. Inside the facility, the focus is clear: the Trimjoist West team is producing a proven product designed to solve long-standing floor system challenges in today’s construction industry.
Trimjoist manufactures a patented floor joist often described as the combination of an open-web floor joist and a traditional wood I-beam, bringing the strongest features of both into a single product. With trimmable ends and an open-web design, the joists allow for on-site customization while accommodating electrical, plumbing, and ductwork without compromising the structural integrity of the floor system.
The TrimJoist® product is manufactured in 2-foot increments from 4 feet to 30 feet and can be trimmed up to 12 inches on each side. Alongside manufacturing an innovative product, Trimjoist places a strong emphasis on technical and engineering support, providing in-house engineering to assist contractors, architects, and designers in plan conversion and layout.
“From custom and production homes to an array of multifamily projects, TrimJoist® solves key floor system concerns which, in turn, creates value for owners, contractors, and architects,” said Brian. “Every TrimJoist® component is sourced, manufactured and assembled in the United States. This further supports local jobs and ensures quality and reliability — something we are very proud of”.
TRIMJOIST HEADS WEST
When Skyler’s father, Barry, approached the couple about expanding Trimjoist out west, Brian and Skyler were immediately drawn to the idea of a new venture—one they could build together.
Their search revealed Idaho as a top destination because of its business-friendly climate, access to raw lumber, and easy distribution via major interstate routes. An exploratory trip in early 2020 confirmed the Treasure Valley area was the right fit. Beyond the practical factors, however, it was a sense of community that ultimately sealed the decision.
“When we came to visit, everyone was just so friendly,” Skyler shared. “It immediately felt like home.”
Brian and Skyler relocated to the area in March 2020 to begin development of the new facility. Despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, they remained faithful and stayed the course. They purchased land from a local owner who had long hoped the property, which was farmed and passed down from his mother, would be used for something meaningful. “When we met the landowner, it was really special to see that shared energy between family businesses,” Skyler explained. “He was genuinely excited that his land would help carry another family business into the next generation.”
Next came rezoning and annexing the newly purchased parcel, followed by the design and construction of the facility, each step unfolding amid an unpredictable economy that brought its own set of challenges. Faced with extended approval timelines, rising construction costs, multiple design revisions, and a prolonged build schedule, Brian and Skyler continued to press forward.
FROM FIRST TRUCKLOAD TO NATIONWIDE REACH
Sixteen months after purchasing the land, the first truckload of TrimJoists® rolled off the yard.
“This facility strengthens our presence in the market and enables more efficient nationwide distribution,” Brian explained.
Through a strategic network of distributors and suppliers, Trimjoist continues to grow by investing in partnerships that support people, projects, and long-term success across the industry. “Having now shipped product to all 50 states, we’re excited to continue expanding our footprint across the western United States,” Brian shared.
MORE THAN JUST A PRODUCT
For Brian and Skyler, the story of Trimjoist has always been about more than manufacturing a product; it’s about the positive impact the business has on the people around it. From the supply chain to the manufacturing floor, through the distribution network and the outside initiatives the company supports, Trimjoist’s core values — grit, integrity, and respect — remain central to everything they do.
“When I think about someone who lives out those values in a real, meaningful way, I think of my dad,” Skyler shared. “He didn’t just take an idea and invent TrimJoist®. He built it thoughtfully, strategically, and efficiently, while staying true to those values all along the way. He’s an amazing role model, and I feel incredibly blessed to call him my dad and grateful to follow in his footsteps.”
Just as a house stands because of its foundation, a business stands because of its people— those who build it and those
who show up every day to keep it running. Skyler explained that Trimjoist is intentional about being the kind of place people want to work: a safe, supportive environment grounded in a positive company culture that gives back to both the community and its employees in ways that go beyond a paycheck.
“We always say that character counts,” Skyler said. “It’s important to us to bring leaders and team members into the company who truly embody that. We’ve been incredibly grateful to find people who align with our values, and we value them not just as employees, but as people.”
“We have a core group that gives it their all every day,” Brian added. “We have a great team here.”
As they’ve continued to operate Trimjoist’s western-based facility, Skyler and Brian shared that giving back and serving the community in a deeper way is ‘near and dear to
their hearts’.
One way that commitment is demonstrated is through Trimjoist’s partnership with the nearby Idaho State Correctional Institution, where the company mentors men who are still serving time through the workforce release program. The goal is to provide vocational skills, opportunity, and a second chance.
“It’s important for these guys to know that when they walk through our doors, they’re no different than any other employee. Our management team does a great job empowering these guys, and we hope that when they’re released, they’ll choose to come work with us full time.”
FRAMING THE FUTURE
Brian and Skyler are focused on investing in their people while continuing to develop and foster relationships with contractors, architects, engineers, and distributors who share their enthusiasm for both the product and the communities it serves.
Even as the company looks to the future, some moments remain timeless. For Skyler, the familiar smell of wood inside the Idaho plant still brings her back to walking through the doors of the Mississippi plant as a young girl.
“Growing up, I never imagined this is where my career would lead,” Skyler reflected. “I am so grateful to be able to work alongside Brian every day, building this business together. It’s a really exciting chapter to be part of.”
“We truly believe that a proven product like TrimJoist®, combined with dedication, faith, and teamwork, has the power to impact the construction industry in a big way,” Brian added.
Built on faith and family, shaped by values, and driven by people, Trimjoist’s story is still being written, with an eye toward the next generation.
