Industry News

Washington, DC - Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.1 months in November, according to an ABC member survey conducted Nov. 20 to Dec. 8.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, a supplier of engineered structural connectors and related building products, has launched two PFUD™ undersaddle hangers for post-frame construction. The hangers feature a two-sided design so that one hanger supports ceiling joists on each side of a truss instead of requiring a separate face-mounted hanger for each joist.

Colorado Springs, CO — S-5!, one of the world's leading developers of engineered metal roof attachments, has been named a 2025 Gold-Level Industry Advocate Award recipient by the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA). The award was presented during MBMA’s Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation, held Dec. 8–10 in Tucson, Arizona.

Beloit, WI – Low-slope roofing manufacturer MuleHide has hired two new territory managers. Judah Lindvall will lead the North Florida territory, which includes Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Tallahassee, Pensacola and Ocala. James Schlesiger will manage the Nebraska and Iowa territory.

Arlington, VA - Construction employment increased by 28,000 positions in November, outpacing the rate of overall nonfarm payroll growth, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the construction sector continues to experience acute labor shortages as the pool of lawfully authorized workers continues to shrink.

Grand Prairie, TX - Coated Metals Group, a nationwide manufacturer of metal coils, sheets, and roofing accessories, announces the opening of its 13th location, a new stocking and distribution hub in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Itasca, IL – The Roofing Alliance has released its comprehensive Sustainability and Resiliency Study, providing a clear, data-driven look at how manufacturers, distributors and contractors understand and apply these practices and where the greatest opportunities for improvement exist.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has released the seventh video in its “Travels with Tony” series. This 2-minute and 42-second presentation brings Tony Bouquot, MBMA general manager, to the AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk. This 260,000 square foot sports and recreation center is located in Overland Park, Kansas and features multiple metal buildings.

Salisbury, NC – In response to contractor requests for a heavier-bodied trowel-applied mastic, Inland Coatings recently introduced RC-2500 medium-grade fiber-reinforced SEBS mastic, which can be trowel or brush applied to roofing seams, flashings, and penetrations where thicker build is required.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is pleased to announce its new officers for 2026. Elected by MCA members, the board will be led by Lee Ann Slattery of ATAS International, the organization’s first female chair.

Colorado Springs, CO – S-5! has acquired ESS Group Engineering Technical Center, a Spanish engineering firm, opening a new manufacturing facility in northern Spain. This expansion strengthens the company’s ability to supply solar and snow retention solutions across Europe with greater efficiency and regional alignment, supporting increasing demand and the company’s growing European distributor network.

Allentown, PA - Since acquiring the assets of Metal Sales & Service, Inc., including the Metalwërks® line of architectural metal plate systems, earlier this year, ATAS International has developed an educational course focused on that type of cladding system. “Architectural Metal Plate Systems: Durable Design for Today’s Buildings” has been approved by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) for one LU/HSW (Learning Unit/Health, Safety, and Welfare).

Niles, OH – Niles Expanded Metals, a leader in the expanded metals industry, announced the addition of a state-of-the-art expanded metal machine designed to produce decorative and architectural patterns with unmatched precision and efficiency.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Samco Machinery, supplier of roll forming equipment and engineering solutions, announces the appointment of Hever Arévalo as its new Vice President of Engineering.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its November 2025 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI), revealing confidence in the equipment finance market is at a heightened level for the sixth consecutive month. The index, which provides a qualitative assessment from key executives in the $1.3 trillion sector, was relatively unchanged at 59.9 in November, from 60.1 in October.

West Chester, OH - Following third-party evaluation, ClarkDietrich’s ProChannel Ci™ cladding support system has met NFPA 285 testing standards and has been approved for use in NFPA 285-compliant wall assemblies for Types I–IV construction.

Washington, DC – Business conditions at architecture firms remained soft as the fourth quarter of 2025 began but showed definite signs of improvement, according to the latest data from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI).

Koblenz, Germany – The design of the façade plays a central role in architecture, as it not only shapes the external appearance of a building but also fulfills functional, cultural, and communicative roles. With the Kalzip FlexForm® façade, Kalzip is launching a new generation of meander façades that offer architects and planners maximum creative freedom.

Oklahoma City, OK - Customers who are exploring curved framing options are finding value the new Flex-Ability Concepts app, now available for free in any device’s app store or via the company's website.

Arlington, VA — Construction employment increased by 19,000 positions in September as firms raised wages to bring on board workers more rapidly than other sectors, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that firms continue to add employees to keep pace with demand for public sector projects and data centers, even as other segments of the industry are experiencing slowing demand.