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Are you ready to handle the coming metal construction boom or are you still ‘dancing in the dark’? With the statistics for the U.S. construction industry looking as good as they do now, is your business ready to tackle the inflow of work?

Feelings of hope and excitement swept over the world as we welcomed 2017 – a new year means a new start and provides the opportunity to reflect on past experiences. We evaluate ourselves through the ups and downs, set goals for the future, reminisce about the good times and learn from the bad. It’s refreshing to have a clean slate. There are endless possibilities, and the uncertainty of what is waiting ahead sparks excitement.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew swept over Florida and caused more than $16 billion in total insured damages. Consequently, over the ensuing two decades the state of Florida has legislated stringent building codes to withstand potential storm damage.

The last thing a customer wants to hear is “No.” Customers are looking for solutions. Being told something can’t be done does not instill much confidence in these so-called experts. Schweiss Doors, on the other hand, has been finding ways to say “Yes!” to customers for almost four decades. The Minnesota manufacturer of hydraulic and bifold liftstrap doors produces custom doors for hangars, commercial buildings, agricultural buildings and residential applications.

It’s no secret that a new metal roof is a big investment. Hard earned dollars are devoted to designing and constructing a commercial building with a roof that is not only durable and high-performing, but also stands the test of time. Of course, issues can arise over the lifetime of a metal roof, and relying on a warranty can come in handy in protecting that investment. However, not all warranties are created equal.

Whether we live in a big city or far out in the countryside, most of us spend our professional lives outside of the home. From skyscrapers and industrial complexes to big box stores and suburban strip malls, a large segment of the employed public works in buildings designed specifically to accommodate office space and commercial enterprises. And one of the growing features of these facilities is the use of exterior metal paneling.

People get into business because they know they can provide a product or service better than the competition. They also get into business because they know they can make money providing that product or service. When it comes to making money, efficiency is the key in any business. Samco Machinery produces roll forming equipment for a number of industries, including building and construction.

Koehn Construction Services of Fredonia, KS believes its loyalty to the suppliers with the best products breeds loyalty from their customers looking for the best buildings. When it comes to doors on the many large agricultural buildings Koehn has erected, Schweiss Doors is the only choice.

Metal is one of the more practical and widely-used roofing materials on the market today. Introduced as an alternative to roofing materials such as clay and wood, metal roofs can last between 40 and 70 years. However, when one has reached the end of its lifecycle, building owners are left with very few options.

Education is the cornerstone of our society. In addition to thoughtful curriculum, the youth of our nation need to have resources and well-designed spaces to help facilitate their growth and success. Color helps set the tone and mood of a building or room, and leaves a lasting impression. Utilizing color in the classroom, common spaces and building exteriors is no new trend; however, from elementary schools to universities we are seeing architects enlist color in new ways to encourage excitement and productivity.

One of the most common types of damage caused by sliding snow and ice is bent and broken ventilation pipes. They typically have little protection from being crushed or sheared during a snow and ice slide. Pipe boots are often damaged and can result in roof leaks.

SAF (Southern Aluminum Finishing Co.), headquartered in Atlanta, GA, marks its 70th anniversary this fall. At its founding in 1946, SAF was one of only two anodizing lines in the country. Founder Marvin McClatchey was a chemical engineer and pioneer in anodizing for architectural applications. Still in the family, SAF is currently led by second generation brothers and Co-CEOs, Penn McClatchey and Jim McClatchey.

East Coast Metal Systems, Inc. (ECMS) is a full-service fabricator and installer of engineered architectural metal and exterior envelope systems. Through the years, the company has purchased multiple PANELBuilder Systems manufactured by AXYZ International. PANELBuilder, a CNC router with a user-friendly software system, is designed to process large volumes of cladding material quickly and efficiently.

Of all the metal roofing options available for residential roofing, metal standing seam is the best-selling. Standing seams are not only unique in appearance, they’re also unique in the fact that attaching anything to them can be tricky in that you don’t want to penetrate the roofing material. When you’re looking for a snow management system that’s ideal for standing seam roofs, Alpine SnowGuards offers a variety of solutions.

Anytime you look at a new building, whether it’s an impressive skyscraper or a quaint residential home, the architectural scheme and exterior aesthetic is often the feature that first captivates our attention. Although the exterior beauty is important, the functional qualities of materials used to build a structure are just as vital to both its short-term and long-term success, especially when it comes to sustainability and reducing energy consumption.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Samco Machinery doesn’t work with a crystal ball, but the company’s experience helps customers make important decisions justifying the migration to outsource roll forming vs. in-house brake forming.

For decades, tools from Swenson Shear have been used by metal roofing contractors to improve the quality of their workmanship, while saving time and labor costs. Today's metal roofers are finding that Swenson Shear's SnapTable tools can take their businesses and projects to new levels.

Back in the mid-1970s, a bunch of very clever people got together and tried to define procedures for exchanging information among Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems in the aerospace industry. The intention was to reduce costs by defining something once and reusing the design data all the way along the design, testing, manufacturing, distribution and repair life-cycle of that product. It worked, with the same approach ultimately making its way to building design and construction.

There's no denying that solar collecting systems installed on metal roofs are gaining a great deal of popularity. Not surprisingly, safety is an ongoing concern for solar panel installers. Wood's Powr-Grip® addresses that concern by offering a variety of vacuum-lifting tools designed to improve worker safety, avoid property damage, and also increase productivity.

As the world becomes more and more eco-conscious, thoughts come to focus on a building’s ability to save energy, water, building materials, and money. The idea points to LEED certification, a stamp of approval that tells everyone that you, as a building owner, have considered all the above mentioned factors and you are one of the good guys of the world. A noble move, right? It is, but it’s much more than a righteous pat on the back. From this movement you get a lifetime of returns including lower energy bills, tax rebates, and possibly higher property values.