Method of manufacturing a structural member includes moving fibers (130) along an assembly line (100), applying binder to spaced apart fibers (130) extending across a first area, and applying a traction agent (178) to at least one of the fibers and the binder. A tapered die (180) has a first portion (195) with a first greater diameter positioned to receive the fibers and a second portion with a second lesser diameter positioned downstream of the first portion. Guiding the fibers along the die and decreasing a distance between the plurality of fibers with the die. After decreasing the distance between the plurality of fibers, the fibers extend across a second area that is smaller than the first area, and the plurality of fibers are shaped with a shaping station. Traction agent increases friction between at least one of the fibers and either an adjacent fiber or the die during shaping.