In 1955, one small steel plate changed construction forever.
The connector plate revolutionised timber trusses, sparked the offsite sector, and still drives modern sustainable building 70 years on. Discover the story behind Cal Jureit’s invention — and how MiTek is carrying it into the future.
In 1955, engineer John Calvin “Cal” Jureit sketched an idea that would quietly change global construction: the connector plate. A simple idea revolutionised how timber trusses were built, cutting costs, halving build times, and creating stronger, more resilient homes.
What began as a simple invention went on to power the offsite construction sector. Seventy years later every prefabricated truss worldwide relies on connector plates, and the technology remains at the heart of modern building.
In this video we explore:
- How one invention reshaped global construction
- John ‘Cal’ Jureit – the man behind the innovation
- The birth of the offsite construction sector
- MiTek’s role in carrying Jureit’s legacy forward
- How a simple idea continues to spark faster, smarter building worldwide
In 2021 the Jureit family entrusted MiTek with the connector plate patent and original plate, to preserve and protect Cal’s legacy. MiTek carry’s it forward in every connector plate we produce, and every house built with it.
Because what Cal started, we are still building.
Start your connector plate journey today.
